told me the strange event which this day has unfolded, and begs to speak with you-shall I bring her in ?

Lord Med. Ay, pray do, my dear. [Exit L. Med. Col. Med. Reassume your spirits, my lord; I dare promise you a happy issue to this affair.

Lord Med. I own this unexpected visit from Mrs. Knightly has a little revived me; and the generous frankness with which she has communicated the se cret to my wife, shews she has a noble and enlarged mind.

Enter Lady MEDWAY, and Mrs. KNIGHTLY.

Mrs. Knight. My lord, I thought to have found you alone. I cannot, without confusion, look up to Colonel Medway.

Lord Med. You, madam, have no cause; but, if my son's presence creates in you any uneasiness, he shall withdraw.

Mrs. Knight. He need not, my lord; for as he is materially concerned in what I have to say, it is fit he should be present at my explanation. I presume, sir, you are by this time no stranger to my story.

Col. Med. I think myself happy, madam, in finding I have so near and tender a claim to your regard.

Mrs. Knight. I hope to give you one still nearer, sir. I will not now apologize for the means by which I came at the knowledge of that mutual love which I find there is between my sister and you. Lady Med. It needs no excuse, madam; it was a L

happy event, as it gave my lord the opportunity of making a discovery so fortunate for us all.

Mrs. Knight. My lord, I owe my sister a large amends for the distress I have occasioned her on more accounts than one; and you, in your turn, I think, should recompence your son for the sacrifice he was willing to make to you. Has he your permission to make Clara his bride?

Col. Med. Oh, madam, you are too, too good.

Mrs. Knight. You have but little reason, sir, to say so yet. My lord, the colonel's love for my sister ensures his happiness, and, to render her acceptable to you, I am ready to share half my fortune with her. Lord Med. Oh, Medway, what an exalted mind is here !

Lady Med. My dear, do not keep your son suspended; he seems to check the transports that I see rising in his heart, till he has his father's sanction to his love.

Lord Med. Take, take your Clara from this excellent creature's hand, and may you both be blessed! Mrs. Knight. No thanks, colonel-[The Colonel advances to Mrs. Knightly.]-restrain your raptures till you see my sister. I have sent to desire her company here--And now, my lord, I hope I have, by this one act of justice (for it is no more) made happy the nearest and dearest relations I have on earth. Lord Med. Son! Lady Medway and to acknowledge, as I ought, goodness!

help me to praise such unexampled

Lady Med. Oh, my dear, I want words

-Med

way's gratitude, you see, has stopt his utterance.

Enter a Servant.

Serv. Miss Richly, madam, is below.

Mrs. Knight. My lord, and Lady Medway, will you let me have the pleasure of presenting the colo. nel to my sister without any other witness?

Lord and Lady Med. By all means.

Col. Med. You, madam, have the best right to dis. pose of me.

Mrs. Knight. Come, sir.

[She gives him her hand, and he leads her out. Lord Med. Oh, Lady Medway, I have not merited the benefits which are thus showered down upon me.

-But it is your goodness, yours and my children's virtue, have been the care of Providence, and I am blessed but for your sakes. Yet, my dear, I have the satisfaction to assure you, that what has passed this morning, joined to some other late incidents, has so thoroughly awakened reflection in me, that from this day forward you will find me a new man.

Lady Med. My lord, if you are sensible of any thing in your conduct that you would wish to rectify, I rejoice that you have taken your resolutions from the feelings of your own heart; for it would grieve me if I thought I had even by a look reproached you.

Lord Med. You never did, madam; I acknowledge you have been the best of wives; 'tis time now that L

I should in my turn study to deserve that constant and tender regard for you, which I have hitherto but too much slighted. And now, best of women, receive my hand a second time; and with it an assur ance, which I could never make before, that you possess my heart intire. [They embrace.

Lady Med. Oh, my dear, I was never truly happy till this instant.

Lord Med. You'll find my conduct as perfectly reformed as your heart can wish; assure yourself you

will.

Lady Med. Pray, my dear, no more-you are now every thing that I would have you to be. I have but one wish left, which, could it be accomplished, would render me completely happy- -Poor Louisa !

Lord Med. I understand you, my dear-I hear young Branville is returned.

Lady Med. He is, my lord; he arrived last night— I do not presume to mention him; but indeed she cannot be happy with Sir Anthony.

Lord Med. I would willingly gratify you in every thing; but how can I acquit myself with honour to Sir Anthony You know he has my promise.

Lady Med. I know it, my dear; yet I am sure he is still so much in Mrs. Knightly's power, that with her assistance, I make no doubt but you could be easily disengaged from it.

Lord Med. If that could be done→→

Lady Med. We shall certainly have a visit from him presently; suppose, my lord, Mrs. Knightly were to

try her influence on him when they meet, it will be a good opportunity

Lord Med. Well, my dear,—you shall take your

own way.

Enter Colonel MEDWAY, Mrs. KNIGHTLY, Miss RICHLY, and LOUISA; while Lord Medway and the Colonel talk apart. Mrs. Knightly presents her sister to Lady Medway.

Mrs. Knight. Madam, receive a sister from my

hands.

Miss Rich. Oh, sister, my obligations to you.

Mrs. Knight. No more, sister; I have but acquitted myself of a duty———

Lady Med. Louisa, I have been petitioning for you once more; my lord has yielded, if he can with honour get off from his word with Sir Anthony. Dear Mrs. Knightly, with a little of your help, I am sure it could easily be done.

Mrs. Knight. Madam you may command me in any thing.

Lou. Oh, madam, a word from you, nay, a kind look, would, I am sure, recal your fugitive lover.

Mrs. Knight. I have not the vanity to think so; but since it will be agreeable to you, I'll try if I have still any interest in him.

Lady Med. This is about his time of visiting us. What if you were to try the experiment here ?

Mrs. Knight. To oblige you, ladies-thus much I must tell you, I never mean to marry again; but I