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SCENE I. MRS. MOTHERLY's House. Enter COUNT BASSET and MYRTILLA. Count B. Myrtilla, how dost thou do, child? Myr. As well as a losing gamester can.

Count B. Pshaw! hang these melancholy thoughts! Suppose I should help thee to a good husband?

Myr. I suppose you'll think any one good enough, that will take me off o'your hands.

Count B. What do you think of the young country squire, the heir of the family that's coming to lodge here?

Myr. How should I know what to think of him?

Count B. Nay, I only give you the hint, child; it may be worth your while at least to look about you.

Enter MRS. MOTHERLY, in haste.

Mrs. M. Sir! sir! the gentleman's coach is at the door; they are all come.

Count B. What, already?

Mrs. M. They are just getting out!-Won't you

[Exit. [Exit.

step and lead in my lady? Do you be in the way, niece; I must run and receive them. Count B. And think of what I told you. Myr. A faithless fellow! I am sure I have been true to him; and, for that only reason, he wants to be rid of But while women are weak, men will be rogues. Enter MRS. MOTHERLY, showing in LADY WRONGHEAD, led by COUNT BASSET.

me.

Mrs. M. If your ladyship pleases to walk into this parlour, madam, only for the present, till your servants have got all your things in.

Lady W. Well, dear sir, this is so infinitely obliging -I protest it gives me pain, though, to turn you out of your lodging thus.

Count B. No trouble in the least, madam: we single fellows are soon moved; besides, Mrs. Motherly's my old acquaintance, and I could not be her hinderance.

Mrs. M. The count is so well-bred, madam, I dare say he would do a great deal more to accommodate your ladyship.

of a woman.

Lady W. Oh, dear madam!—A good, well-bred sort [Apart to the Count. Count B. Oh, madam! she is very much among people of quality; she is seldom without them in her house.

Lady W. Are there a good many people of quality in this street, Mrs. Motherly?

Mrs. M. Now your ladyship is here, madam, I don't believe there is a house without them.

Lady W. I am mighty glad of that; for, really, I think people of quality should always live among one another.

Count B. "Twas what one would choose, indeed, madam.

Lady W. Bless me! but where are the children all this while?

Sir F. [Without] John Moody! stay you by the coach, and see all our things out-Come, children.

Enter SIR FRANCIS WRONGHEAD, SQUIRE
RICHARD, and MISS JENNY.

Sir F. Well, count, I mun say it, this was koynd, indeed.

Count B. Sir Francis, give me leave to bid you welcome to London.

Sir F. Pshaw! how dost do, mon?-Waunds, I'm glad to see thee! A good sort of a house this. Count B. Is not that master Richard?

Sir F. Ey, ey, that's young hopeful-Why dost not baw, Dick?

Squire R. So I do, feyther.

Count B. Sir, I'm glad to see you-I protest, Mrs. Jane is grown so, I should not have known her. Sir F. Come forward, Jenny.

Jenny. Sure, papa! do you think I don't know how to behave myself?

Count B. If I have permission to approach her, sir Francis.

Jenny. Lord, sir, I'm in such a frightful pickle!—

[Salute. Count B. Every dress that's proper must become you, madam-you have been a long journey.

Jenny. I hope you will see me in a better to-morrow, sir. [Lady W. whispers Mrs. M. pointing to Myr. Mrs. M. Only a niece of mine, madam, that lives with me: she will be proud to give your ladyship any assistance in her power.

Lady W. A pretty sort of a young woman-Jenny, you two must be acquainted.

Jenny. Oh, mamma, I am never strange in a strange place. [Salutes Myrtilla Myr. You do me a great deal of honour, madam— Madam, your ladyship's welcome to London.

Jenny. Mamma, I like her prodigiously; she called me my ladyship.

Squire R. Pray, mother, mayn't I be acquainted with

her too?

Lady W. You, you clown! stay till you learn a little more breeding first.

Sir F. Odds heart, my lady Wronghead! why do you baulk the lad? how should he ever learn breeding, if he does not put himself forward?

Squire R. Why, ay, feyther, does mother think that I'd be uncivil to her?

Myr. Master has so much good humour, madam, he would soon gain upon any body. [He kisses Myrtilla. Squire R. Lo' you there, mother! and you would but be quiet, she and I should do well enough.

Lady W. Why, how now, sirrah! boys must not be so familiar.

Squire R. Why, an I know nobody, how the murrain mun I pass my time here, in a strange place? Naw you and I, and sister, forsooth, sometimes, in an afternoon, may play at one and thirty bone-ace, purely.

Jenny. Speak for yourself, sir: d'ye think I play at such clownish games?

Squire R. Why, and you woant yo' ma' let it aloane; then she and I, mayhap, will have a bawt at all-fours, without you.

Sir F. Noa, noa, Dick, that won't do neither; you mun learn to make one at ombre, here, child.

Myr. If master pleases, I'll show it him.

Squire R. What, the Humber! Hoy-day! why, does our river run to this tawn, feyther?

Sir F. Pooh! you silly tony! ombre is a geam at cards, that the better sort of people play three together

al.

Squire R. Nay, the moare the merrier, I say; but sister is always so cross-grained

Jenny. Lord! this boy enough to deaf peopleand one has really been stuffed up in a coach so long that Pray, madam- -could not I get a little powder for my hair?

Myr. If you please to come along with me, madam. [Exeunt Myrtilla and Jenny. Squire R. What, has sister taken her away naw! mess, I'll go and have a little game with them. [Exit.

Lady W. Well, count, I hope you wont so far change your lodgings, but you will come and be at home here

sometimes.

Sir F. Ay, ay, pr'ythee come and take a bit of mutton with us, naw and tan, when thou'st nought to do. Count B. Well, sir Francis, you shall find I'll make but very little ceremony.

Sir F. Why, ay now, that's hearty!

Mrs. M. Will your ladyship please to refresh yourself with a dish of tea, after your fatigue?

Lady W. If you please, Mrs. Motherly; but I believe we had best have it above stairs. [Exit Mrs. Motherly] Won't you walk up, sir?

Sir F. Moody!

Count B. Shan't we stay for sir Francis, madam? Lady W. Lard, don't mind him! he will come if he likes it.

Sir F. Ay, ay, ne'er heed me-I have things to look after. [Exeunt Lady Wronghead and Count Basset.

Enter JOHN MOODY.

Moody. Did your worship want muh?

Sir F. Ay, is the coach cleared, and all our things in? Moody. Aw but a few band-boxes and the nook that's left o'the goose poy-But, a plague on him, the monkey has gin us the slip, I think I suppose he's goon to see his relations; for here looks to be a power of um in this tawn- -but heavy Ralph has skawered

after him.

Sir F. Why, let him go to the devil! no matter and the hawnds had had him a month agoe.-But I wish the coach and horses were got safe to the inn! This is a sharp tawn, we mun look about us here, John; therefore I would have you go along with Roger, and see that nobody runs away with them before they get to the stable.

Moody. Alas a day, sir, I believe our auld cattle won't yeasly be run away with to-night-but howsomdever, we'st ta' the best care we can of um, poor sawls.

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