lord, where is he gone? I saw he showed you morandum.

his me

Lord M. Gone! on business, I think, of some kind.

Lady Flut. Business!I don't know of any business that he has; I am sure it is some other engage

ment.

Lord M. Oh-what am I thinking of? 'tis to the play.

Lady Flut. The play! he could not have been in such a hurry for that, 'tis too early.

Lord M. He was to go with a party, and to call on some people by the way; that was the case.

Lady Flut. I don't much care; but I am sure that was not the thing neither; for I heard you say, it were well if he were going to half as good company, as that in which he left you."

Lord M. And that I should certainly say, ma'am, let him be going to whom he would. But Sir Harry has a depraved taste.

Lady Flut. I don't doubt but he is going to some of his tavern ladies. With all my heart; I don't love him well enough to be jealous of him.

Lord M. I wish you did, for that would help on my work. [Aside.] Why, indeed, my dear Lady Flutter, I can't say that Sir Harry is quite so deserving of you, as I could wish he were. But he is a mere boy, and can't be supposed to be so sensible of your merit, as those are, who have had a little more experience in the sex.

Lady Flut. I sha'n't be long with him, that's one comfort.

Lord M. But, my dear ma'am, consider how that will appear in the eyes of the world. Here you are but a little while married, what must people think of a separation? Your good understanding is unquestioned, your personal accomplishments admired by all who

know you; the blame then must all fall on poor Sir Harry.

Lady Flut. And so let it for me.

Lord M. He deserves it, I confess; but, ma'am, give me leave to reason with you a little now; for I know you are a woman of sense, and capable of reasoning. Don't you think a leetle stroke of censure may possibly glance on you, for not endeavouring to bear, for a while longer at least, with his indiscretion; for every body knows that your prudence is much superior to his, and therefore more will be expected from you.

Lady Flut. My lord, you compliment now.

Lord M. Upon my life I don't. I am sure I have said it a thousand times, that I don't know a woman of fashion in town (a handsome one I mean, you are to take that into the account too) with half your talents. Lady Flut. Oh, my lord.

Lord M. Upon my word I am serious; and between ourselves, Sir Harry is thought to be but of very moderate parts, and that it was almost a sacrifice to marry you to him-But I would not say this for the world to

any

one but

you.

Lady Flut. That is very good of you, my lord.

Lord M. Your discretion, I am sure, will make a proper use of the hint. There are great allowances to be made for a raw young fellow, who, like some vain and ignorant virtuoso, is possessed of a rarity, of which he neither understands the nature, nor knows the value. Oh, Lady Flutter, a beautiful and accomplished woman is a gem fit only for the cabinet of a man of sense and taste.

Enter a SERVANT.

Serv. Madam, the chair is ready.

Lady Flut. Let it wait awhile.

Lord M. Another sip of that sweet cordial flattery,

and all the rougher passions will subside.

[Aside.

Lady Flut. What were you saying, my lord?

Lord M. I believe I was saying, or at least I was thinking, that you are―

Lady Flut. What now?

Lord M. A charming woman-taking you all together

Lady Flut. Poh! fiddle faddle

Lord M. Indeed you are!

Lady Flut. Well, that is nothing to the purpose— What would you advise me to do with this foolish boy; for I would not have my discretion called in question, neither? I am sure if he had but the sense to talk to me as you have done, he might do just what he pleased with me.

-Well, whatever you

Lord M. Amiable creature!do, don't think of parting from him, for that would only be making mirth for all the spiteful old maids in town; who have already prophesied, that miss and master would quarrel before a month was at an end, and each run home crying to their several mamma's.

Lady Flut. Do the malicious creatures say so!Well, I'll disappoint them in that-But what can I do, my lord, he is so intolerably conceited and pert?

Lord M. Oh, don't mind him, and it will wear off by degrees! But, my dear Lady Flutter, are there not other pleasures with which a fine woman could make herself amends, for the ill-humour of her husband? Lady Flut. Not that I know of, my lord Lord M. I could name you some, if you me leave

[Sighs.

would give

Lady Flut. You have my leave, indeed, my lord— My stars, what a charming thing good sense and good nature is! Your conversation has, I don't know how, soothed me so, that, though I am not happy, yet I don't find myself so much out of temper as I was a while ago.

Lord M. Oh, that Sir Harry and I could thange

situations, then would the loveliest woman in England

be the happiest.

[He kisses her hand.

Lady Flut. Lard! my lord, what's that for?

Enter a SERVANT.

Serv. Sir Anthony Branville, madam, comes to wait

on your ladyship.

Lady Flut. Oh, I am glad of that-show him up.
Lord M. So am not 1.

[Aside. Lady Flut. You know, my lord, it will save me the trouble of going to his house this evening.

Lord M. Let me beg of you, my dear Lady Flutter, not to mention to your uncle any thing that has passed between you and Sir Harry. I'll give you many good reasons for it another time. Have I so much influence over you?

Lady Flut. Well, my lord, to oblige you, I won't.
Lord M. Sweet condescending creature!

Lady Flut. But you must tell me what you promised. Lord M. Not now, my dear ma'am-some other opportunity I will tell you such things—

Enter SIR ANTHONY BRANVILLE, he bows very low to both, without speaking.

Lady Flut. Uncle, your servant.

Lord M. Sir Anthony, your most obedient.

Sir A. Bran. My lord (without a compliment). I esteem myself extremely happy, in the agreeable hope, that I now see your lordship in perfect health.

Lord M. I thank you, good Sir Anthony, pretty well. Heavens! what a circumlocution, to ask a man how he does! [Aside.

Sir A. Bran. And you, niece, I assure you, have a very proper proportion (as undoubtedly your merit claims) of my unfeigned esteem and good wishes; as likewise hath my worthy nephew, Sir Harry; whom I should have been proud to have found in this good

company, and deem both myself and him unfortunate in his being absent from it.

Lady Flut. Sir Harry does not think so, I believe.

[Half aside. [Aside to her.

Sir A. Bran. What does my niece Flutter say?

Lady Flut. Nothing, uncle.

Sir A. Eran. Pardon me; I apprehend you had ut tered something. Well, my lord, I am next to inquire (though, to say the truth, I ought, in point of good breeding, to have done it first); I am next, I say, to inquire how your excellent lady does, and the fair young lady, your daughter.

Lord M. Both at your service, Sir Anthony.

Sir A. Bran. May I presume to ask the christian name of the young lady.

Lord M. I would not have Lady Medway hear you make so emphatical a distinction, Sir Anthony; ladies, you know, are always young→→

Sir A. Bran. 'Tis a privilege I know they claim, my lord, and I hope you don't think me capable of such barbarism as to dispute it with them; but at the same time I imagine 'tis not possible in nature, but that the mother must be rather older than her daughterYou'll excuse my pleasantry.

Lord M. Oh, surely, as the ladies are not by-But why do you inquire my daughter's name, Sir Anthony?

Sir A. Bran. Why, my lord, there is a pretty familiar tenderness in sometimes using the chris-ti-an name, that is truly delightful to a lover; for such, my lord, with all due deference to the lady's high deserts, I wish myself to be considered.

Lady Flut. Oh lord, oh lord, my uncle Miss Medway's lover! I shall burst if I stay[Aside.

Lord M. Louisa, Sir Anthony, is her christian name, which you are at liberty to use with as much familiar tenderness as you please.