Bev. Sir, however odd this may appear Sir John. Ay, now settle it between yourselves; give it what turn you will, sir; she will confirm it. You need not be afraid, sir; you will agree in your story; she is quick of invention, and I dare say you are pretty quick, too. Bev. Sir, I must beg you will put no forced construction upon this matter. Sir John. And you beg the same, madam, don't you? Bev. Sir, I beg to be heard. My business here is to desire you will return me the picture which you have in your possession. It is now become dear to me, sir. Sir John. I dare say it is. Sir John. It is of equal value to me. rise in evidence against you both. Bev. Call up your maid, madam, and then— Sir John. No, sir; no more of it. I am satisfied. I wish you good night. Bed. When you are willing to listen to reason I shall be ready to convince you of your error. Madam, you may depend I shall do justice to your honour upon all occasions. And now I It shall take my leave. [Exit. Lady Rest. Evidence against me? Explain yourself. How did you get in here? What's your business? What brought you hither? What's your errand? Sir John. Ay, sir, speak; how did you get in here? What's your business? What brought you hither? What's your errand? Bev. Vexation! I am beset by them both at once. Lady Rest. Speak, sir; explain. Bev. Sir, if you will give me leave, I will satisfy you entirely. I assure you, sir, and you, too, madam, that the liberty I have taken with your closet is entirely owing to your maid, Tattle. Sir John. The jade! I don't doubt it, sir. Bev. To prevent, if possible, the interpretation now put upon seeing me in this house. Sir John. And it was well contrived, sir. my Lady Restless! Oh, Lady Rest. By all that's just, I knew nothing of it! Bev. Nothing, upon my honour, sir! Sir John. Oh, I knew you would both agree. Bev. As I am a gentleman, I tell you the real fact. Sir John. You need not, sir; I know the real fact. Bev. I have no time to lose in frivolous altercation: I must now desire the picture, directly. Sir John. I wish you a good evening. Bev. I shall not stir without it. I should be glad you would comply without a quarrel. must be obliged to Sir John. Ay, now her prize-fighter begins. [Aside.]—I desire you will quit my house, sir. I Bev. I am not to be trifled with. If you don't return it by fair means, I shall be forced to draw. Sir John. There again, now! she has set him on to cut my throat: but I will disappoint her. Sir John. Now, my Lady Restless, now! You are thoroughly known; all your artifices are known; Mr Beverley is known; my lord Conquest is known! Lady Rest. My lord Conquest, sir! I despise all your imputations. My lord Conquest's maid, sir! what can you say to that? Sir John. Very well, madam! 'tis now my turn to write to your brother, and I promise you I will do it. Lady Rest. You will write, sir, you will write! Well, his assurance is unequalled. [Aside.]-You will write! That is pleasant indeed-Write, sir; do; you will only expose your weakness-Ha, ha! you make yourself very ridiculous; you do indeed-Ha, ha! Sir John. 'Sdeath, madam! am I to be insulted with a contumelious laugh into the bargain? Lady Rest. Why, my dear, this was all doneto-to-to-cure you of your jealousy; for I knew you would act as you have done, and so I resolved to do as I have done. Was it not well done, my dear? Ha, ha!— Sir John. Damnation! this is too much it is beyond all patience. Lady Rest. Ha, ha, ha! the tables are turned, I think. [Sings, and laughs. Sir John. Let me tell you, it is no laughing matter. You are a vile woman; I know you, and the world shall know you: I promise you it shall. Lady Rest. I am clear in my own conviction, and your slander I despise: nor shall your artifices blind me or my friends any longer. Sir, as you say, it is no laughing matter. I promise you, you shall never dishonour me again in this house. Sir John. And I promise you, madam, that you shall never dishonour me in any house. Lady Rest. Injurious, false, perfidious man! Sir John. Deceitful, wanton! wanton woman! [Exeunt at opposite doors VOL. II. 5 E ACT V. SCENE I.-An Apartment at MR BLAND FORD'S. Enter BELINDA, Belin. UNGENEROUS, false, deceitful Beverley! under that fair appearance, could I imagine that he harboured so much treachery? Attached to Lady Restless; engaged in a dishonourable intrigue with the wife of another, and yet professing an affection for me, with ardour professing it, and for me only! He is likely to regard the honour of the marriage-bed, who is ready to commit a trespass on the happiness of his neighbour. It was Providence sent sir John Restless to pay me a visit. The whole is now brought to light; and, Mr Beverley, I have done with you for ever. 1 shall now obey my father's commands. By giving my hand to sir William Bellmont's son, I shall punish an undeserving libertine for his treachery. Enter TIPPET. his man-as if from yourself-carelessly-as it were by accident-whether his master has talked of me? and what he said, Tippet? Tip. I know Mr Brush: I can wheedle it out of him, I warrant me. Belin. Get at the particulars: not that I care: Belin. Mind what I have said. Belin. Don't forget a word of it. [Going. [Going, [Going. Belin. And hark ye? tell him how easy, how composed I am. That will gall him. You see, Tippet, I am quite unconcerned. [Forcing a smile. Tip. Yes, madam: you don't seem to fret in Well, Tippet, have you done as I ordered the least. you? Tip. I have, madam. Belin. The perfidious man! did you ever know such behaviour? Tip. He is a traitor, like the rest of them. Belin. After all the regard I professed for him after so many ardent vows and protestations as he has made me ! Tip. The hours that he has sighed away at your feet! Belin. I will banish him from my thoughts. My resolution is fixed, and so I have told my father. Is sir William Bellmont with him? Belin. It is easy to perceive that I am not at all disconcerted. You may see how gay I am upon the occasion. [Affecting to laugh. Tip. [Laughing.] Oh! yes, madam : you make quite a laughing matter of it. Belin. Very true: a perfect air of indifference!--Well, I have done. Tell him, that, upon no account, will I ever exchange a word with him; that I will never hear of him; never think of him; never see him; and never, upon any consideration, admit the smallest intercourse; no, never; I will have no more to do with him. Tip. I have my lesson, madam, and I am glad [Going. Tip. He is, madam: they are both in close talk: they are over their glass, and are so over-you are so resolved upon it. joyed at the change of your mind Belin. And I applaud myself for what I have done-Oh, Mr Beverley! you have forced me to this extremity-Here, take this letter, Tippet, and give it to him with your own hands. Tip. He shall have it. [Takes the letter. Belin. Where are all his letters? Tip. Here, madam. [Shews a parcel. Belin. The bracelets, and the pocket-book? Tip. I have them safe. Belin. Very well: take his presents home to him; and, do you hear? Bring me back all the foolish letters I writ to him. Tip. Never doubt me: I won't quit the house without them. Exchange is all fair. Belin. That letter will tell him, that though I now break with him in a manner, that may seem abrupt, his character and conduct have compelled me to it. Be sure you confirm that to him. Tip. He shall hear it all, and roundly, too. Enter a Servant. Ser. Mr Beverley, madam. Tip. You must not let him up stairs; my lady will never see his face. Belin. Yes, I think I may see him: shew him up. I will see him once more, and tell him all myself. It will come better from me, Tippet. Tip. Yes, madam, you will do it with a better grace; and your resolution will melt away like a bit of sugar in your mouth. Belin. My resolution is not to be altered: you may withdraw, Tippet. Tip. Yes, madam-Ah! she has a hankering after him still. [Erit. Belin. I shall now take my leave of him-But then, my friend Clarissa! can I rob her of her lover? she has not deserved it at my hands. Though Mr Beverley has deceived me, nust I be false to honour, and to friendship? Enter BEVERLEY. Bev. Belinda! how gladly do I once again beholdBelin. And with what resentment have not 1 reason to behold, sir Bev. You have, Belinda: you have reason, I grant it: forgive the rash words my folly uttered. Belin. Mistake me not, sir: it is not your words I quarrel with your actions, Mr Beverley; your actions, sir! Beo. They are not to be extenuated: but surely, after the letter you honoured me withBelin. Sir, I have heard every thing since I was guilty of that folly. Bev. Heard! what? Belin. Dissemble if you will: but this must be the last of our conversing together. My maid will return you whatever I have received from you all my silly letters I must desire you to deliver to her; and then visit me no more, sir. Bev. Belinda!---you will not wound me thus! Here is the picture which caused that unlucky mistake between us. I have recovered it from sir John Restless. Belin. From my lady Restless, sir. Belin. Oh! fy, sir; no more; I have done. Bev. You must, you must accept it. Thus, on my knees, I beg you. Will you, Belinda? [Takes her hand. Belin. Leave me, sir: let go my hand, Mr Beverley: your falsehood Bev. My falsehood! by all the Belin. Your falsehood, sir: sir John Restless has told me all; every circumstance. | part. You have only to send me back my letters, and Bev. Agreed, agreed. ment, and send them all. here is your own picture, me with I'll go home this moBefore I go, madam, which you had given your own hands. Mr Bellmont will be glad of it; or sir John Restless will be glad of it; or any body will be glad of it; you need not be at a loss. Belin. Very like, sir. [Takes the picture.] Tyrant, tyrant man! to treat me in this barbarous manner. [Cries. Bev. Tears! Belinda! [Approaching.] Belinda! Belin. No more of your insidious arts. I will hear no more. Oh my heart, my heart will break. I did not think it was in your nature to behave as you have done; but—farewell for ever. [Exit BELIN. Bev. Belinda! hear me but speak. By Heaven, my lady Restless-she is gone: 'sdeath! I have been duped by her all this time; I will now summon up all that is man within me, and, in my turn, despise her. Bev. He has told you! what has he told? his fraud ! life shall answer it. Belin. You have destroyed my peace of mind for ever. Nay, you yourself have forced me into the arms of another. Ber. What do I hear? Belin. My lady Restless will rejoice at the news: the event will not be unpleasing to her; but she is welcome: let her enjoy her triumph. Bev. You astonish me, Belinda! what does all this mean? Belin. It means, that, in obedience to the commands of a father, I have agreed to marry Mr Bellmont. Bev. Mr Bellmont !-him!-marry him! it is very well, madam: I expected it would come to this, and my lady Restless is only mentioned, on this occasion, as a retort for my accusation about sir John. I understand it; and, by Heayen! I believe that whole story. Tip. Very right, sir; let us go. Bev. And yet- -Tippet, you must not stir. Indulge me but a little. It is all a misunderstanding, this. Tip. My lady will have no more to say to you. You may take the things, sir: my lady resigns them to you, sir. Bev. Oh! Tippet, use your interest with her. Keep them in the house till I return. I will clear up this whole matter presently. I must not lose her thus. [Exit. Tip. Poor gentleman! he seems in a lamentable way. Well, I fancy for my part he is a true lover after all; that's what I do; and my young lady, I fear, is Bel. Sir-you may depend, that is as far as matters are in my power: but you know, as I told you already, the lady has a settled rooted aversion to me. his heart throbbing, his eyes brimful, his looks, promise, George; if she consent, you will be pale: you are to blame; you are, indeed, madam.ready to comply with the wishes of your father? I dare be sworn he has never proved false. Belin. Oh! Tippet, could I be sure of that! Tip. But you are not sure of the contrary. Why won't you see my lady Restless? See her directly, madam; go to her now, before it is too late; before the old folks, who are putting their heads together, have settled the whole affair. Dear madam, be advised. I hear them coming. They will hurry you into a match, and you'll repent of it. How cruel this is! Here they come. -No, 'tis madam Clarissa. Enter CLARISSA. Cla. So, Belinda; you have thrown things into fine confusion. You have involved yourself, and my brother, and Mr Bellmont, and every body, in most terrible difficulties. Belin. My dear Clarissa, here have been such doings between your brother and me- Cla. So I find. I met him as I came hither. You have had fine doings, indeed. I have heard the whole; my brother has told me every thing. Tip. Madam, madam! I hear your father. Sir William Bellmont is with him: they are coming up stairs. Belin. I am not in a disposition to see them now. Clarissa, suspend your judgment; step with me to my own room, and I will then give you such reasons, as, you will own yourself, sufficiently justify my conduct. Cla. The reasons must be ingenious, that can make any kind of apology for such behaviour: I shall be glad to hear you. You Belin. Very well, follow me quickly. will find that my resolution is not so rash as you imagine. [Exit with CLA. Tip. They have got into a rare puzzle! and how they will get out of it, is beyond my dexterity; and so let them manage as well as they can. Enter BLANDFORD, SIR WILLIAM, and YOUNG BELLMONT. Bland. Sir William, we have made a good day's work of it: the writings will be ready tomorrow morning. Where is Belinda? I thought she was in this room. Tip. She is gone into her own room, sir; she is not well. Sir Wil. She has changed her mind, perhaps : I shall have no faith in this business, till it is all concluded. Bland. Changed her mind, say you? No, no; I can depend upon her. I'll bring her to you this moment, and you and your son shall hear a declaration of her mind out of her own lips. Tippet, where is Belinda? Tip. I'll shew you the way, sir. [Exit with BLANDFORD. Sir Wil. Now we shall see what authority you have over your daughter. I have you Sir Wil. Aversion!- -she can change her mind, can't she? Women have no settled principle. They like to-day, and dislike to-morrow. Besides, has not her father promised her to you in marriage? If the old gentleman likes you, what have you to do with her aversion? Bel. To do with it! A great deal, I am afraid. You are not now to learn, that, when a young lady marries against her inclination, billet-doux, assignations, plots, intrigues, and a terrible et cætera of female stratagem, mount into her brain, and the poor husband in the mean time Sir Wil. Come, lad; don't play the rogue with your father. Did not you promise me, if she made no objection, that there would be no obstacle on your part? Bel. I promised, to be sure; but yet, I can't help thinking Sir Wil. And I can't help thinking, that you know how to equivocate. Look you, George, your words were plain downright English, and I expect that you will perform to the very letter. I have fixed my heart upon this match. Mr Blaudford and I have passed the day at the Crown and Rolls to read over the deeds. I have been dining upon parchment, as I may say. I now tell you, once for all, you must be observant of my will and pleasure. Bel. To end all dispute, sir, if the lady[Aside.] She will never consent; I may safely promise.-If the lady, sir, can at once forget her engagements with my friend Beverley Sir Wil. You will then forget Clarissa? safely spoken. Come, I am satisfied. And now, now we shall see. Enter BLANDFORD. Bland. Sir William, give me joy: every thing goes as I wish. My daughter is a complying girl. She is ready to obey my commands. Clarissa is with her, beseeching, wrangling; complaining, soothing; now in a rage, and now in tears; one moment expostulating, and the next imploring; but all in vain; Belinda holds her resolution; and so, young gentleman, you are now completely happy. Bel. Death to my hopes! can this be true? [Aside. Bland. Sir William, give me your hand upon This will not only be a match of prudence, but of inclination. it. Sir Wil. There, George! there is news for you! your business is done. Bland. She owns very frankly, that her heart has been hitherto fixed upon a worthless man : she renounces him for ever, and is willing to give her hand as I shall direct. Bel. What a dilemma am I brought into! [Aside Sir Wil. George, what's the matter, boy? You a bridegroom! Wounds! at your age, I could cut a caper over the moon upon such an occasion. Bel. I am more slack-mettled, sir: I cannot leap quite so high. Sir Wil. A cup too low, I fancy. Let us go and finish our bottle. Belinda shall be my toast. I'll give you her health in a bumper. Come, Mr Blandford: I want to wash down the cobwebs of the law. [Exit. Bland. I attend you, sir William. Mr Bellmont, follow us: we must have your company: you are under par: come, we will raise you a note higher. [Exit BLAND. Bel. You have sunk me so low, that I shall never recover myself. This behaviour of Belinda's!-Can she think her treachery to one lover will recommend her to another? Enter CLARISSA. Cla. Mr Bellmont, I wish you joy, sir. Belinda has consented; and you have done the same. You are both consenting. The match is a very proper one. You will be finely paired. Bel. You are misinformed, Clarissa; why will you do me this injustice? Cla. Your own conduct, madam! will that stand as clear as my brother's? My lady Restless, I believe, has something to say. It will become you to refute that charge. Belin. Downright malice, my dear: but I excuse you for the present. Enter TIPPET. Tip. [To BELIN.] Your chair is ready, ma'am. Belin. Very well: I have not a moment to lose: I am determined to know the bottom of this whole affair. Clarissa, when I return, you will be better disposed to hear me. Cla. You need not trouble yourself, madam: I am perfectly satisfied.—Tippet, will you be so good as to order my chair. Belin. Well; suspend your judgment. This business is of importance: I must leave you now. [Exit with TIP. Bel. Clarissa, if you knew how all this wounds me to the heart! Cla. Oh! keep your resolution; go on with your very honourable design: inclination should be consulted; and the necessity of the case, you know, will excuse you to the world. Bel. Command your temper, and the whole shall be explained. Cla. It wants no explanation: it is too clear already. Cla. Injustice! Mr Blandford has reported every thing he has done you justice: he has told us how easily you have been persuaded: don't imagine that I am hurt. I resign all pre-is tensions: I can be prevailed upon with as much ease as you, sir: I can copy the easy compliance of Mr Bellmont. Bel. If you will but hear me! moderate your anger. Cla. Anger!-anger indeed! I should be sorry any thing that has happened were of consequence enough to disturb my peace of mind.Anger! I shall die with laughing at the thought. You may be false to your friends, sir; false to your vows; you may break every solemn engagement; Mr Blandford wishes it; Belinda wishes it; and why should not you comply? Follow the dictates of your own heart, sir. Bel. Whatever has happened, Clarissa, I am not to blame. Cla. I dare say not; and here is a lady will say the same. Enter BELINDA. Belin. Spare your reproaches, Clarissa. Mr Bellmont, you too may spare me. The agitations of my mind distress me so, I know not which way to turn myself. The provocation I have had Cla. Provocation, madam! from whom? Belin. From your brother: you need not question me; you know what his conduct has been. Bel. By Heaven, you wrong him; and so you will find in the end. Bel. A moment's patience would set every thing right.-'Sdeath! one would imagine that lady Restless had been speaking to you, too. This like the rest of them: downright jealousy! Cla. Jealousy!-Upon my word, sir, you are of great consequence to yourself: but you shall find that I can, with perfect serenity, banish you, and your Belinda, entirely from my thoughts. Enter TIPPET. Tip. The chairmen are in the hall, ma'am. Cla. No, sir: I have done: I shall quit this house immediately. [Going.] Mrs Tippet, could you let me have pen, ink, and paper, in your lady's room? Tip. Every thing is ready there, maʼam. Cla. Very well:-I'll go and write a letter to Belinda. I'll tell her my mind, and then adieu to all of you. [Exit with TIP. Bel. How perverse and obstinate. Enter SIR WILLIAM. Sir Wil. Well, George, every thing is settled. Bel. Why, really, sir, I don't know what to say. I wish you would consider Sir Wil. At your tricks again? Bel. I am above an attempt to deceive you: but, if all circumstances were known-I am not fond of speaking detractingly of a young lady; but for the honour of your family, sir, let us desist from this match. Sir Wil. Roguery, lad! there's roguery in this. |