Mel. Well, doctor, I am convinced and now, pray, what account can you give of my future fortune?

Serg. K. Before the sun has made one course round this earthly globe, your fortune will be fixed for happiness or misery.

Mel. What! so near the crisis of my fate?

Serg. K. Let me see: about the hour of ten tomorrow morning, you will be saluted by a gentleman who will come to take his leave of you, being designed for travel; his intention of going abroad is sudden, and the occasion a woman. Your fortune and his are like the bullet and the barrel, one runs plump into the other. In short, if the gentleman travels, he will die abroad; and, if he does, you will die before he comes home.

Mel. What sort of a man is he?

Serg. K. Madam, he's a fine gentleman, and a lover; that is, a man of very good sense, and a very great fool.

Mel. How is that possible, doctor?

Serg. K. Because, madam,--because it is so. A woman's reason is the best for a man's being a fool. Mel. Ten o'clock, you say?

Serg. K. Ten: about the hour of tea-drinking throughout the kingdom.

Mel. Here, Doctor. (Gives money.) Lucy, have you any questions to ask?

Lucy. Oh! madam, a thousand.

Serg. K. I must beg your patience till another time, for I expect more company this minute: besides, I must discharge the gentleman under the Lucy. O pray, sir, discharge us first! [table. Serg. K. Tycho, wait on the ladies down stairs. [Exeunt Melinda and Lucy. Enter CAPTAIN BRAZEN.

Capt. B. Your servant, my dear. Serg. K. Stand off! I have my familiar already. Capt. B. Are you bewitched, my dear? Serg. K. Yes, my dear; but mine is a peaceable spirit, and hates gunpowder. Thus I fortify myself; (draws a circle round himself) and now, Captain, have a care how you force my lines.

Capt. B. Lines! what dost talk of lines? You have something like a fishing-rod there, indeed; but I come to be acquainted with you, man. What's your name, my dear?

Serg. K. Conundrum.

Capt. B. Conundrum? rat me! I knew a famous doctor in London of your name. Where were you Serg. K. I was born in Algebra. [born? Capt. B. Algebra! 'tis no country in Christendom, I'm sure; unless it be some place in the Highlands in Scotland.

Serg. K. Right; I told you I was betwitched. Capt. B. So am I, my dear; I am going to be married. I have had two letters from a lady of fortune that loves me to madness, fits, cholic, spleen, and vapours. Shall I marry her in four-andtwenty hours, ay or no? Serg. K. Certainly. Capt. B. Gadso, ay. Serg. K. Or no. But I must have the year and the day of the month when these letters were dated. Capt. B. Why, you old boar! did you ever hear of love-letters dated with the year and day of the month? Do you think billet-doux are like bank-bills? Serg. K. They are not so good, my dear; but if they bear no date, I must examine the contents. Capt. B. Contents! that you shall, old boy! here they be both.

Serg. K. Only the last you received, if you please. (Takes the letter.) Now, sir, if you please to let me consult my books for a minute, I'll send this letter enclosed to you with the determination of the stars upon it, to your lodgings.

Capt. B. With all my heart. I must give him -(Puts his hands into his pockets.) Algebra! I

Wor. By all my hopes! 'tis Lucy's hand.
Capt. P. Lucy's?

Wor. Certainly. "Tis no more like Melinda's character than black is to white.

Capt P. Then 'tis certainly Lucy's contrivance to draw in Brazen for a husband. But are you sure 'tis not Melinda's hand?

Wor. You shall see. Where's the bit of paper I gave you just now, that the devil wrote Melinda Serg. K. Here, sir. [upon?

Capt P. 'Tis plain they are not the same. And is this the malicious name that was subscribed to the letter which made Mr. Balance send his daughter into the country?

Wor. The very same. The other fragments I shewed you just now I once intended for another use; but I think I have now turned it to a better advantage.

Capt. P. But 'twas barbarous to conceal this so long, and to continue me so many hours in the pernicious heresy of believing that angelic creature could change. Poor Sylvia!

Wor. Rich Sylvia, you mean, and poor captain; ha, ha, ha! Come, come, friend, Melinda is true, and shall be mine; Sylvia is constant, and may be yours.

Capt. P. No, she's above my hopes: but for her sake I'll recant my opinion of her sex. By some the sex is blam'd without design: Light, harmless censure, such as yours and mine, Sallies of wit, and vapours of our wine: Others the justice of the sex condemn, And wanting merit to create esteem, Would hide their own defects by cens'ring them: But they, secure in their all conq'ring charms, Laugh at the vain efforts of false alarms, He magnifies their conquests who complains, For none would struggle, were they not in chains. [Exeunt.

ACT V.

SCENE I-Justice Balance's House. Enter JUSTICE BALANCE and JUSTICE SCALE. Just. Scale. I say, 'tis not to be borne, Mr. Ba

lance.

Just. B. Lookye, Mr. Scale, for my own part, I shall be very tender in what regards the officers of the army.

Enter SYLVIA, BULLOCK, ROSE, Prisoners, Constable, and Mob.

Const. May it please your worships, we took them in the very act, re infecta, sir. The gentleman, indeed, behaved himself like a gentleman; for he drew his sword and swore, and afterwards laid it down and said nothing.

Just. B. Give the gentleman his sword again. Wait you without. [Exeunt Const. and Watch.] I'm sorry, sir, (to Sylvia,) to know a gentleman upon such terms, that the occasion of our meeting should prevent the satisfaction of an acquaintance.

Syl. Sir, you need make no apology for your warrant, no more than I shall do for my behaviour; my innocence is upon an equal foot with your authority. Just. Scale. Innocence! Have you not seduced that young maid?

Syl. No, Mr. Goosecap; she seduced me. Bul. So she did, I'll swear; for she proposed marriage first.

Just. B. What! then you are married, child? (To Rose.)

Rose. Yes, sir, to my sorrow.

Just. B. Who was witness?

Bul. That was I. I danced, threw the stocking, and spoke jokes by their bedside, I'm sure.

Just, B. Who was the minister? Bul. Minister! we are soldiers, and want no minister. They were married by the articles of war. Just. B. Hold thy prating, fool. Your appearance, sir, (to Sylvia) promises some understanding: pray what does this fellow mean?

Syl. He means marriage, I think; but that, you know, is so odd a thing, that hardly any two people under the sun agree in the ceremony; some make it a convenience, and others make it a jest; but among soldiers 'tis most sacred. Our sword, you know, is our honour; that we lay down; the hero jumps over it first, and the Amazon after; the drum beats a raff, and so to bed: that's all. The ceremony is concise. [time and prodigality. Bul. And the prettiest ceremony; so full of pasJust. B. What, are you a soldier?

Bul. Ay, that I am. Will your worship lend me your cane, and I'll shew you how I can exercise? Just. B. Take it. (Strikes him.) Pray, sir, what commission may you bear? (To Sylvia.)

Syl. I'm called Captain, sir, by all the coffeemen, drawers, and groom-porters in London; for I wear a red coat, a sword, a picquet in my head, and dice in my pocket.

Just. Scale. Your name, pray, sir?
Syl. Pinch.

[Shropshire? Just. B. And pray, sir, what brought you into Syl. A pinch, sir. I know you country gentlemen want wit, and you know that we town gentlemen want money; and so[ble! Just. B. I understand you, sir. Here, constaRe-enter Constable. Take this gentleman into custody till further orders. Rose. Pray, your worship, don't be uncivil to him, for he did me no hurt; he's the most harmless man in the world, for all he talks so.

[you.

Just. Scale. Come, come, child, I'll take care of Syl. What, gentlemen, rob me of my freedom and my wife at once? "Tis the first time they ever went together.

Just. B. Harkye, constable! (Whispers him.) Const. It shall be done, sir. Come along, sir. [Exeunt Cons. Bul. Rose and Syl. Just. B. Come, Mr. Scale, we'll manage the spark presently. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-Melinda's Apartment. Enter MELINDA and WORthy. Mel. So far the prediction is right; 'tis ten exactly. (Aside.) And pray, sir, how long have you been in this travelling humour?

Wor. 'Tis natural, madam, for us to avoid what disturbs our quiet.

Mel. Rather the love of change, which is more natural, may be the occasion of it.

Wor. To be sure, madam, there must be charms in variety, else neither you nor I should be so fond of it.

Mel. You mistake, Mr. Worthy: I am not so fond of variety as to travel for't; nor do I think it prudence in you to run yourself into a certain expense and danger, in hopes of precarious pleasures, which, at best, never answer expectation; as it is evident from the example of most travellers, that they long more to return to their own country than they did to go abroad.

Wor. What pleasures I may receive abroad are, indeed, uncertain; but this I am sure of, I shall meet with less cruelty among the most barbarous of nations than I have found at home.

Mel. Come, sir, you and I have been jangling a great while; I fancy if we made our accounts we should the sooner come to an agreement.

Wor. Sure, madam, you won't dispute your being in my debt. My fears, sighs, vows, promises, assiduities, anxieties, jealousies, have run on for a whole year without any payment.

Mel. A year! Oh, Mr. Worthy! what you owe to me is not to be paid under a seven years' servitude. How did you use me the year before? when, taking the advantage of my innocence and necessity, you would have made me your mistress, that is, your slave. Remember the wicked insinuations, artful baits, deceitful arguments, cunning pretences; then your impudent behaviour, loose expressions, familiar letters, rude visits; remember those, those, Mr. Worthy.

Wor. I do remember, and am sorry I made no better use of 'em. (Aside.) But you may remember, madam, that—

Mel. Sir, I'll remember nothing; 'tis your interest that I should forget. You have been barbarous to me, I have been cruel to you; put that and that together, and let one balance the other. Now, if you will begin upon a new score, lay aside your adventuring airs, and behave yourself handsomely till Lent be over, here's my hand, I'll use you as a gentleman should be.

Wor. And if I don't use you as a gentlewoman should be, may this be my poison. (Kisses her hand.) Enter a Servant.

[Exit.

Serv. Madam, the coach is at the door. Mel. I am going to Mr. Balance's country-house to see my cousin Sylvia; I've done her an injury, and can't be easy till I've asked her pardon.

Wor. I dare not hope for the honour of waiting on you.

Mel. My coach is full; but if you'll be so gallant as to mount your own horse, and follow us, we shall be glad to be overtaken; and if you bring Captain Plume with you we sha'n't have the worse reception.

Wor. I'll endeavour it. [Exit, leading Mel. SCENE III-A Court of Justice.

JUSTICE BALANCE, JUSTICE SCALE, and JUSTICE SCRUPLE discovered upon the Bench, with Constable, SERGEANT KITE, and Mob standing by. Sergeant Kite and Constable advance.

Serg. K. Pray who are those honourable gentle. men upon the bench?

Const. He in the middle is Justice Balance, he on the right is Justice Scale, and he on the left is Justice Scruple; and I am Mr. Constable: four very honest gentlemen. [servant. Serg. K. Ö, dear sir! I am your most obedient Enter CAPTAIN PLUME.

Just. B. Captain, you're welcome.
Capt. P. Gentlemen, I thank you.

Just. Scr. Come, honest Captain, sit by me. (Capt. P. ascends, and sits upon the bench.) Now produce your prisoners. Here, that fellow there; set him up, Mr. Constable, what have you to say against this man? [please you.

Const. I have nothing to say against him, an't Just. B. No? What made you bring him hither! Const. I don't know, an't please your worship. Just. Scale. Did not the contents of your warrant direct you what sort of men to take up? Const. I can't tell, an't please ye; I can't read. Just. Scr. A very pretty constable, truly. I find we have no business here.

Serg. K. May it please the worshipful bench, I desire to be heard in this case, as being the counsel for the king.

Just. B. Come, Sergeant, you shall be heard, since nobody else will speak; we won't come here for nothing.

Serg. K. This man is but one man, the country may spare him, and the army wants him; besides he's cut out by nature for a grenadier: he's five feet ten inches high: he shall box, wrestle, or dance the Cheshire round with any man in the country he gets drunk every Sabbath-day, and he beats his wife.

Wife. You lie, sirrah, you lie an't please your worship, he's the best-natur'd pains-taking'st man in the parish; witness my five poor children.

Just. Scr. A wife and five children! You Constable, you rogue, how durst you impress a man that has a wife and five children?

Just. Scale. Discharge him, discharge him. Just. B. Hold, gentlemen. Harkye, friend! how do you maintain your wife and five children?

Capt. P. They live upon wild-fowl and venison, sir; the husband keeps a gun, and kills all the hares and partridges within five miles round.

Just. B. A gun! nay, if he be so good at gunning, he shall have enough on't.

Serg. K. Ay, ay, I'll take care of him; if you please. (Takes him down.)

Just. Scale. Here, you Constable, the next. Set up that black-faced fellow; he has a gunpowder look; what can you say against this man, Constable? Const. Nothing, but that he is a very honest man. Capt. P. Pray, gentlemen, let me have one honest man in my company for the novelty's sake. Just. B. What are you, friend?

Welch C. A collier; I work in the coal-pits. Just. Scr. Lookye, gentlemen! this fellow has a trade, and the act of parliament here expresses that we are to impress no man that has any visible means of a livelihood.

Serg. K. May it please your worship, this man has no visible means of livelihood, for he works under ground. [miners. Capt. P. Well said, Kite; besides, the army wants Just. B. Right; and had we an order of government for't, we could raise you in this, and the neighbouring county of Stafford, five hundred colliers, that would run you under ground like moles, and do more service in a siege than all the miners in the army. [yourself? Just. Scr. Well, friend, what have you to say for Welch C. I'm married.

Serg. K. Lackaday! so am I.

Welch C. Here's my wife, poor woman. Just. B. Are you married, good woman? Woman. I'm married, in conscience. Just. Scale. Who married you, mistress? Woman. My husband. We agreed that I should call him husband, and that he should call me wife, to shun going for a soldier.

Just. Scr. A very pretty couple! Pray, Captain, will you take them both? [care of the woman? Capt. P. What say you, Mr. Kite? will you take Serg. K. Yes, sir; she shall go with us to the sea-side; and there, if she has a mind to drown herself, we'll take care nobody shall hinder her. Just. B. Here, Constable, bring in my man. [Exit Constable.] Now, Captain, I'll fit you with a man such as you never listed in your life.

Re-enter Constable, with SYLVIA. Oh, my friend Pinch! I'm very glad to see you. Syl. Well, sir, and what then? [the bench? Just. Scale. What then! is that your respect to Syl. Sir, I don't care a farthing for you nor your bench either.

Just. Scr. Lookye, gentlemen, that's enough; he's a very impudent fellow, and fit for a soldier. Just. Scale. A notorious rogue, I say, and very fit for a soldier.

Just. B. What think you, Captain?

Capt. P. I think he is a very pretty fellow, and therefore fit to serve.

Syl. Me for a soldier! send your own lazy lubberly sons at home; fellows that hazard their necks every day in the pursuit of a fox, yet dare not peep abroad to look an enemy in the face.

Just. B. Pray, Captain, read the articles of war; we'll see him listed immediately.

Capt. P. (Reads.) “ Articles of war against mutiny and desertion."

Syl. Hold, sir! once more, gentlemen, have a care what you do, for you shall severely smart for any violence you offer to me; and yon, Mr. Balance, I speak to you particularly, you shall heartily

repent it.

Capt. P. Look ye; young spark, say but one word more, and I'll build a horse for you as high as the ceiling, and make you ride the most tiresome journey that ever you made in your life.

Syl. You have made a fine speech, good Captain Huffcap! but you had better be quiet; I shall find a way to cool your courage. [distracted.

Capt. P. Pray, gentlemen, don't mind him; he's Syl. 'Tis false; I am descended of as good a family as any in the county; my father is as good a man as any upon your bench; and I am heir to two thousand pounds a year. [the articles of war.

Just. B. He's certainly mad. Pray, Captain, read Syl. Hold! once more. Pray, Mr. Balance, to you I speak; suppose I were your child, would you use me at this rate?

Just. B. No, faith; were you mine I would send you to Bedlam first, and into the army afterwards. Syl. But consider my father, sir; he's as good, as generous, as brave, as just a man as ever served his country; I'm his only child: perhaps the loss of me may break his heart.

court.

Just. B, He's a very great fool if it does. Captain, if you don't list him this minute I'll leave the [to the men while I read. Capt. P. Kite, do you distribute the levy money Serg. K. Ay, sir. Silence, gentlemen. Capt. P. (Reads.) "Articles of war against mutiny and desertion. Any soldier who shall presume to quit his post without orders from his commanding officer, shall suffer death."

66

Welsh C. One death! Capt. P. (Reads.) Any soldier who shall presume to indulge in claret, Burgundy, and champagne, out of his private pay, shall suffer death." Welsh C. Two deaths!

Capt. P. (Reads.) “Any soldier who shall presume to erect churches, hospitals, or other public buildings out of his private pay, shall suffer death.” Welsh C. Three deaths!

Just. B. Very well; now, Captain, let me beg the favour of you not to discharge this fellow upon any account whatsoever. Bring in the rest.

Const. There are no more, an't please your worship. Just. B. No more? there were five two hours ago. Syl. 'Tis true, sir; but this rogue of a constable let the rest escape for a bribe of eleven shillings a man; because he said the act allowed him but ten, so the odd shilling was clear gains.

All Just. How!

Syl. Gentlemen, he offered to let me go away for two guineas, but I had not so much about me: this is truth, and I'm ready to swear it.

Serg. K. And I'll swear it: give me the book; 'tis for the good of the service.

Welsh C. May it please your worship, I gave him balf-a-crown to say that I was an honest man; but now, since that your worships have made me a rogue, I hope I shall have my money again.

[tody.

Just. B. "Tis my opinion that this Constable be put into the Captain's hands; and if his friends don't bring four good men for his ransom by to-morrow night, Captain, you shall carry him to Flanders. Just. Scale, Just. Scr. Agreed, agreed. Capt. P. Mr. Kite, take the Constable into cusSerg. K. Ay, ay, sir. Will you please to have your office taken from you, or will you handsomely lay down your staff, as your betters have done before you? (To the Constable, who drops his staff.)

Just. B. Come, gentlemen, there needs no great ceremony in adjourning this court. Captain, you shall dine with me. [Exeunt Justices, Capt. P. & Syl.

Serg. K. Come, Mr. Militia Sergeant, I shall silence you now now, I believe, without your taking the law of me. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. A Room in Justice Balance's house. Enter JUSTICE BALANCE and Steward. Stew. We did not miss her till the evening, sir; and then, searching for her in the chamber that was my young master's, we found her clothes there;

but the suit that your son left in the press when he went to London was gone. [body? Just. B. You ha'n't told that circumstance to anyStew. To none but your worship.

Just. B. And be sure you don't. Go and tell Captain Plume that I beg to speak with him. Stew. I shall.

husband. When she tells you of her love, upbraid her with her folly; be modishly ungrateful, because she has been unfashionably kind; and use her worse than you would anybody else, because you can't use her so well as she deserves.

Capt. P. And are you, Sylvia, in good earnest? Syl. Earnest! I have gone too far to make it a jest, sir,

Capt. P. And do you give her to me in good earnest? (To Just, B.)

Just. B. If you please to take her, sir,

Enter CAPTAIN PLUME. Pray, Captain, what have you done with our young gentleman soldier?

Capt. P. He's at my quarters, I suppose, with the rest of my men. [soldiers? Just. B. Does he keep company with the common Capt. P. No, he's generally with me; but the young rogue fell in love with Rose, and has lain with her, I think, since she came to town.

Just. B. So that between you both, Rose has been finely managed. [from me. Capt. P. Upon my honour, sir, she had no harm Just. B. All's safe, I find. (Aside.) Now, Captain, you must know that the young fellow's impudence in court was well grounded: he said I should heartily repent his being listed; and so I do from Capt. P. Ay! for what reason? [my soul. Just. B. Because he is no less than what he said he was; born of as good a family as any in the county; and he is heir to two thousand pounds a year. Capt. P. I'm very glad to hear it; for I wanted but a man of that quality to make my company a perfect representative of the whole commons of Just. B. Won't you discharge him? [England. Capt. P. Not under a hundred pounds sterling. Just. B. You shall have it; for his father is my intimate friend.

Capt. P. Then you shall have him for nothing. Just. B. Nay, sir, you shall have your price. Capt. P. Not a penny, sir; I value an obligation to you much above a hundred pounds.

Just. B. Perhaps, sir, you sha'n't repent your generosity. Will you please to write his discharge in my pocket-book? (Gives his book.) In the meantime, we'll send for the gentleman. Who waits there? Enter a Servant.

Go to the Captain's lodging, and inquire for Mr. Wilful; tell him his Captain wants him here immediately. [quiring for the Captain. Serv. Sir, the gentleman's below at the door, inCapt. P. Bid him come up. [Exit Serv.] Here's the discharge, sir.

Just. B. Sir, I thank you. 'Tis plain he had no hand in't. (Aside.)

Enter SYLVIA.

Syl. I think, Captain, you might have used me better than to leave me yonder among your swearing, drunken crew; and you, Mr. Justice, might have been so civil as to have invited me to dinner; for I have eaten with as good a man as your worship. Capt. P. Sir, you must charge our want of respect upon our ignorance of your quality. But now you are at liberty; I have discharged you.

Syl. Discharged me? [home to your father. Just. B. Yes, sir; and you must once more go Syl. My father! then I am discovered. Oh, sir! (kneels) I expect no pardon.

Just. B. Pardon! no, no, child; your crime shall be your punishment. Here, Captain, I deliver her over to the conjugal power for her chastisement. Since she will be a wife, be you a husband, a very

your

Wor. I am sorry to hear, Mr. Balance, that your daughter is lost. [man bas found her. Just. B. So am not I, sir, since an honest gentle, Enter MELINDA. Mel. Pray, Mr. Balance, what's become of my cousin Sylvia? [with your cousin Plume. Just. B. Your cousin Sylvia is talking yonder Mel. And Worthy! How?

Syl. Do you think it strange, cousin, that a woman should change? But I hope you'll excuse a change that has proceeded from constancy. I altered my outside because I was the same within; and only laid by the woman to make sure of my man: that's my history.

Mel. Your history is a little romantic, cousin; but since success has crowned your adventures, you will have the world on your side; and I shall be willing to go with the tide, provided you'll pardon an injury I offered you in the letter to your father.

Capt. P. That injury, madam, was done to me; and the reparation I expect shall be made to my friend: make Mr. Worthy happy, and I shall be satisfied.

Mel. A good example, sir, will go a great way. When my cousin is pleased to surrender, 'tis probable I sha'n't hold out much longer,

Re-enter CAPTAIN BRAZEN. Capt. B. Gentlemen, I am your's. Madam, I am not your's. (To Melinda.)

Mel. I'm glad on't, sir. Capt. B. So am I. You have got a pretty house here, Mr. Laconic. [sir, is Balance. Just. B. 'Tis time to right all mistakes; my name, Capt. B. Balance! Sir, I am your most obedient. I know your whole generation; had not you an uncle that was governor of the Leeward Islands

Just. B. Did you know him? [some years ago? Capt. B. Intimately, sir. He played at billiards to a miracle. You had a brother, too, that was a captain of a fire-ship:-poor Dick! he had the most engaging way with him of making punch; and then his cabin was so neat; but his poor boy, Jack, was the most comical bastard: ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! a pickled dog; I shall never forget him.

Capt. P. Have you got your recruits, my dear? Capt. B. Not a stick, my dear!

Capt. P. Probably I shall furnish you, my dear! instead of the twenty thousand pounds you talked of, you shall have the twenty brave recruits that I have raised at the rate they cost me. My commission I lay down, to be taken up by some braver fellow, that has more merit and less good fortune; whilst I endeavour, by the example of this worthy gentleman, to serve my king and country at home.

With some regret I quit the active field,
Where glory full reward for life does yield;
But the recruiting trade, with all its train
Of endless plague, fatigue, and endless pain,
I gladly quit, with my fair spouse to stay,
And raise recruits the matrimonial way. [Exeunt.

ACT I. SCENE I.-A Library.
Enter BETTY and SAM.

Betty. The postman is at the gate, Sam; pray step and take in the letters. [Betty. Sam. John the gardener is gone for them, Mrs. Betty. Bid John bring them to me, Sam: tell him I am here in the library. Sam. I'll send him to your ladyship in a crack.[Exit. Enter NANNY.

Nanny. Miss Constantia desires to speak to you, Mrs. Betty.

Betty. How is she now ?-any better, Nanny? Nanny. Something; but very low-spirited still. I verily believe it is as you say.

Betty. O! I would take my book oath of it. I cannot be deceived in that point, Nanny.-Ay, ay, her business is done: she is certainly breeding, depend upon it.

Nanny. Why, so the housekeeper thinks too. Betty. Nay, I know the father, the man that Nanny. The deuce you do! [ruined her. Betty. As sure as you are alive, Nanny; or I am greatly deceived; and yet-I can't be deceived neither. Was not that the cook that came galloping so hard over the common just now?

Nanny. The same: how very hard he galloped! he has been but three quarters of an hour, he says, coming from Hyde-Park Corner.

Betty. And what time will the family be down? Nanny. He has orders to have dinner ready by five; there are to be lawyers, and a great deal of company here: he fancies there is to be a private wedding to-night, between our young Master Charles, and Lord Lumbercourt's daughter, the Scotch lady; who, he says, is just come post from Bath, in order to be married to him.

Betty. Ay, ay, Lady Rodolpha. Nay, like enough, for I know it has been talked of a good while: well, go tell Miss Constantia that I will be with her immediately.

LADY RODOLPHA LUMBERCOURT

CONSTANTIA

BETTY HINT

SERVANTS

Betty. So!-I find they all believe the impertinent creature is breeding-that's pure! it will soon reach my lady's ears, Enter JOHN. Well, John, ever a letter for me?

warrant.

[Constantia. John. No, Mrs. Betty; but here is one for Miss Betty. Give it me.-Hum! my lady's band. John. And here is one, which the postman says is for my young master; but it's a strange direction. (Reads.) To Charles Egerton, Esq.

Betty. O! yes, yes; this is for Master Charles, John; for he has dropped his father's name of Macsycophant, and has taken up that of Egerton: the parliament has ordered it. [Betty?

John. The parliament!-pr'ythee, why so, Mrs. Betty. Why, you must know, John, that my lady, his mother, was an Egerton, by her father; she stole a match with our old master, for which all her family, on both sides, have hated Sir Pertinax, and the whole crew of the Macsycophants, ever since; and so, John, my lady's uncle, Sir Stanley Egerton, dying an old bachelor, and, as I said before, mortally hating our old master, and all the crew of the Macsycophants, left his whole estate to Master Charles, who was his godson; but on condition that he should drop his father's name of Macsycophant, and take up that of Egerton; and that is the reason, John, why the parliament has made him change his name.

John. I am glad that Master Charles has got the estate, however; for he is a sweet-tempered gentleman.

Betty. As ever lived. But come, John; as I know you love Miss Constantia, and are fond of being where she is, I will make you happy; you shall carry this letter to her.

John. Shall I, Mrs. Betty? I am very much obliged to you. Where is she?

Betty. In the housekeeper's-room, settling the