Bel. I see you will force me to speak out. If | there is, unhappily, a flaw in Belinda's reputa tion Sir Wil. How? Sir Wil. [Looking back.] What, loitering, George? Bel. I follow you, sir. [Exit SIR WIL.] Clarissa is not gone, I hope ? Bel. This is no time to dissemble. In short, Tip. Gone, sir! She is writing, and crying, and sir, my lady Restless, a worthy lady here in the wiping her eyes, and tearing her paper, and beneighbourhood, has discovered a connection beginning again, and in such a piteous way! tween her and sir John Restless; sir John and lady Restless lived in perfect harmony, till this affair broke out. The peace of the family is now destroyed. The whole is come to the knowledge of my friend Beverley with tears in his eyes, with a bleeding heart (for he loved Belinda ten- | derly), he has at last mustered up resolution, and taken his final leave. : Sir Wil. Ay! can this be true? Bel. I must see her: she must come with us. If lady Restless persists in her story, who knows what turn this affair may take? Come, Mrs Tippet, shew me the way. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The hall in the house of SIR JOHN RESTL ESS. A loud rap at the door; and enter ROBERT. Bel. It is but too true; I am sorry to report Rob. What a hurry you are in there?—This is it. And now, sir, judge yourself-Oh !- my lady, I suppose. Where can she have been? here comes Mr Blandford: 'tis a dreadful scene-Now for more confusion. If she finds Madam to open to him; a terrible story for the ear of a Belinda with sir John, we are all blown up again. father! You had best take no notice: we need not be accessary to a young lady's ruin it is a family affair, and we may leave them to patch it up among themselves, as well as they can. Tip. She is not gone far, sir; just stept out upon a moment's business to sir John Restless. Sir Wil. Gone to sir John Restless! [Aside. Bel. You see, sir.[To SIR WIL. Bland. I did not think she knew sir John. Sir Wil. Yes, she knows him: she has been acquainted with him for some time past. Bland. What freak has she got in her head? She is not gone after her Mr Beverley, I hope? Zookers, this has an odd appearance! I don't like it: I'll follow her this moment. SIR JOHN. [Peeping in.] Sir John. Robert, Robert ! is that your lady ? Rob. Mercy on us! She is coming, I believe, sir.-[Looks out.] I see her chair: it is my lady. Sir John. Don't let her know that Belinda is in the house. Rob. Not if I can help it. Trust to me, sir. [Exit SIR JOHN.] Here she comes. What has she been about? A chair is brought into the hall. Rob. I fancy he is, my lady. Lady Rest. Has any body been with him? Rob. He has been all alone, writing letters in his study : he desired not to be interrupted. Lady Rest. I shall not interrupt him, I promise him. You never will tell me any thing, Robert: I don't care who comes after him. Tomorrow I shall quit this house, and then he may riot in licentious pleasure. If he asks for me, I am not well; I am gone to my own apartment: I hope to see no more of him. [Going. Chair. Shall your ladyship want the chair any more to-night? Lady Rest. I don't know what I shall want. Leave the chair there: you may wait. [Erit LADY REST. Chair. Ay, always a waiting job. [Puts the chair aside. Exeunt Chairman and ROBERT.] Sir Wil. You are right: I'll attend you.Now, George, this will explain every thing. | to her [Aside.]Come, Mr Blandford, this nay be an escape: young birds will wing their flight. Bland. Well, well, say no more: we shall see how it is. Come, sir William : it is but a step. [Exit BLAND. Bel. [To TIP.] Where is Clarissa? Belin. A short interview with lady Restless might clear up all my doubts: what objection can you have? Sir John. A million of objections. You do not Enter BLANDford. know the consequence of being seen in this house. She will interpret every thing her own way. I am unhappy, madam, while you stay. Belin. There is more cruelty in your refusal than you can imagine. Mr Beverley's character is in question: it is of the last importance to me to know the whole truth. Sir John. You know it all, madam. Mr Beverley's character is too clear. Proofs thicken, and grow stronger every hour. Since the visit Í paid you this very day, I have made another discovery. I found him lurking here in my house. Belin. Found him here, sir? Sir John. Found him here. He was lying in ambush for another amorous meeting. Belin. If there is no mistake in this business Sir John. Mistake! May I trust my own eyes? I saw him; I spoke to him; I taxed him with his guilt. He was concealed in her closet. Does that amount to proof? Her maid Tattle stationed him there. My lady was privy to it: she favoured the stratagem. Are you satisfied now, madam? Belin. The particulars of this discovery, sir John, may convince me: tell me all, sir: you will oblige me. Sir John. Enquire no more for the present. You will oblige me, madam. Robert shall see you safe home. I would not have my lady find us together: I think I hear her: no, no. In a day or two, the particulars will be known to the wide world. Where is Robert? He shall conduct you home. My peace and happiness require it. [Going. Belin. Cannot I go up stairs? Sir John. No; I am ruined, if you go that way. Hell and distraction! My lady Restless coming down! Here, madam, here; into that chair. You will be concealed there: nobody will suspect you. Belin. Any where, sir: put me any where, to avoid this impending storm. [Goes into the chair. Sir John. [Shutting the chair.]-This is lucky. I am safe now. Let my lady come as soon as she will. Enter SIR WILLIAM and BEVERLEY. Bland. I am glad you are come, sir William. This is more than I expected. Sir John. And more than I expected. There, madam, there is your favourite again! Bev. My visit is public, sir. I come to demand, in the presence of this company, an explanation of the mischief you have done me. Sir John. You need not be so public, sir. The closet is ready for you: Tattle will turn the key, and you will there be very safe. Lady Rest. How can you persist in such a fallacy? He knows, he perfectly well knows it was an accident; a mere blunder of the servant, entirely unknown to me. Sir John. She was privy to the whole. Bland. This is beside my purpose. I came hither in quest of my daughter: a father demands her. Is she here? Is she in the house? Sir John. In this house, sir? Our families never visited. I am not acquainted with her. Lady Rest. He is acquainted with her. I saw him clasp her in his arms. Bland. In his arms! When? Where? Tell me all ! Lady Rest. Yes; now let him give an account of himself. Sir John. When you have accounted for your actions, madam Lady Rest. Render an account to the lady's father, sir. Bland. Yes; to her father. Account with me, sir. When, and where, was all this? Lady Rest. This very day; at noon; in the Park. Bev. But in the eyes of the whole world: I know Belinda: I can acquit her. Sir John. And I proclaim her innocence. We can both acquit her. [Goes up to BEVerley. Lady Rest. You are both in a plot: both com bined. Bev. You accosted her violently: the harshness of your language overpowered her spirits: she was ready to faint: sir John was passing by: she was going to drop down: sir John assisted her: that is the whole of the story. Injured as I am, I must do justice to Belinda's character.She may treat me with the caprice and pride of insolent beauty; but her virtue claims respect. Sir John. There now! there! that is the whole of the story. Lady Rest. The whole of the story! No, sir John: : you shall suppress nothing: : you could receive a picture from her. Sir John. You, madam, could receive a picture; and you, Mr Beverley, could present it. Lady Rest. Mr Beverley, you hear this! Bev. I can justify you, madam. I gave your lady no picture, sir John. Sir John. She had it in her hand. I saw her print her kisses on it, and in that moment I sei zed it from her. Bev. Belinda dropt it in the Park, when she was taken ill: I had just given it to her. Your lady found it there. Lady Rest. I found it on that very spot. Bev. There, sir; she found it. Sir John. I found you locked up in her cabi net; concealed in private. Lady Rest. But with no bad intent. Bev. Your jealousy, sir John, has fixed an imputation upon me, who have not deserved it: and your suspicions, madam, have fallen, like a blasting mildew, upon a lady, whose name was never before sullied by the breath of calumny. Sir Will. The affair is clear, as to your daughter, Mr Blandford. I am satisfied; and now we need not intrude any longer upon this family. Enter BELLMONT and CLARISSA. Walk in, George, every thing is right: your fears may now go to rest. Lady Rest. I shall not stay another night in this house. Time will explain every thing. Call my chairmen there. Sir John has it his own way at present. Sir John. Let the chair alone. You shall not go: you shall not quit this house till I consent. [Goes between her and the chair. Lady Rest. I say, hold up. Sir John. Let it alone. Lady Rest. Very well, sir: I must be your prisoner, must I ? Sir John. It is mine to command here. No loose escapes this night; no assignations; no intrigues, to disgrace me. Lady Rest. Such inhuman treatment! I am glad there are witnesses of your behaviour. [Walks away. Bland. I am sorry to see all this confusion; but, since my daughter is not here— Lady Rest. He knows where she is, and so you will find. Sir John. [Coming forward.]—Your daughter is innocent, sir, I give you my honour. Where should she be in this house? Lady Restless has occasioned all this mischief. She formed a story to palliate her own misconduct. To her various artifices, you are a stranger; but, in a few days, you may depend Lady Rest. [Aside, as she goes towards the chair. He shall find that I am not to be detained here. [Makes signs to the chairmen to hold up. Sir John. I say, gentlemen, you may depend that I have full proof, and in a little time every thing will [The chair is opened, and BELINDA comes out. Lady Rest. Who has proof now? There, there! In his house all the time! see. Bland. What do I see? Sir Wil. So, so! There is something in it, I Sir John. Distraction! this is unlucky. Lady Rest. What say you now, Mr Beverley? Now, Mr Blandford! there; ocular demonstration for you! Sir Wil. George, take Clarissa as soon as you will. Mr Blandford, you will excuse me, if I now decline any further treaty with you. Bland. This abrupt behaviour, sir William Sir Wil. I am satisfied, sir. I am resolved. Clarissa, you have my approbation: my son is at your service. Here, George, take her, and be happy. Bel. [Taking her hand.] To you, from this moment, I dedicate all my future days. Bland. Very well: take your own way. I can still protect my daughter. Bev. And she deserves your protection: my dear Belinda, explain all this: I know it is in menting fancy may give to my conduct, it may | you knew how my own heart reproaches me, you provoke a smile, but will excite no other pas- would spare yourself the trouble. With tears in my eyes I now speak to you: I acknowledge all my errors. sion. Lady Rest. Mighty fine! what brought you to this house? Belin. To be a witness of your folly, madam, and sir John's into the bargain. Bel. That I can vouch: sir John can fill his mind with vain chimæras, with as apt a disposition as his lady. Beverley has been represented in the falsest colours Lady Rest. That I admit: sir John invented the story. Bev. And Belinda, madam, has been cruelly slandered by you. Sir John. She has so that I admit. Belin. And my design to see all this cleared up, brought me to this house, madam. Now, you see what has made all this confusion. Lady Rest. Oh! I expected these airs. You may discuss the point where you please: I will hear no more upon the subject. Exit LADY RESTLESS. Bland. Madam, the subject must be settled. [Follows her. Sir John. You have a right to insist upon it. The whole shall be explained in a moment. Sir William, you are a dispassionate man. Give us [Erit. your assistance. Sir Wil. With all my heart. George, you are no longer concerned in this business, and I am glad of it. [Exit with young BELLMONT. Cla. To BEVERLEY.] Now, brother, now is your time: your difficulties are all removed.Sir John suspected you without reason: my lady Restless did the same to Belinda: you are both in love, and now may do each other justice. I can satisfy my Lady Restless and your father. [Exit. Bev. [Aside.] I see, I see my rashness. Belin. [Aside.] I have been terribly deceived. Bev. If she would but forgive my folly. Belin. Why does not he open his mind to me? I can't speak first. Bev. What apology can I make her?-Belinda! Belin. Charming! he begins. [Aside, and smiling. Bev. [Approaching.] Belinda !- -no answer? Belinda! Belin. Mr Beverley! [Smiles aside. Bev. Don't you think you have been very cruel to me, Belinda? rous to me? [Advancing towards her. Belin. [Looking at him.] Those are not tears. Mr Beverley. [Smiling. Bev. They are; you see that they are. Belin. Ah! you men can command tears. Bev. My life! my angel! [Kisses her hand.] Do you forgive me? Belin. No; I hate you. [Looking pleased at him. Bev. Now, I don't believe that. [Kisses her cheek.] Do you hate me, Belinda? Belin. How could you let an extravagance of temper get the better of you? You know the sincerity of my affection. Oh, Mr Beverley, was it not ungenerous? Bev, It was; I own it; on my knees, I own it, Belin, [Laughing.] Oh, proud man! have I humbled you? Since you submit to my will and pleasure, I think I can forgive you. Beg my picture back this moment. [Shews it him. Bev. [Taking the picture.] I shall adore it ever, and heal this breach with uninterrupted love. Enter SIR JOHN, LADY RESTLESS, SIR WILLIAM, BLANDFORD, BELLMONT, and CLA RISSA. Sir John. [Laughing.] Why, yes; it is very clear. I can now laugh at my own folly, and my wife's, too. Lady Rest. There has been something of a mistake, I believe. Bev. You see, sir John, what your suspicions are come to. I never was within your doors before this day; nor should I, perhaps, have had the honour of speaking to your lady, had it not been for the misunderstanding your mutual jealousies occasioned between Belinda and me. Bland, And your ladyship has been ingenious enough to work out of those whimsical circumstances a charge against my daughter.—Ha, ha! Sir John. It is ever her way, sir, I told you, my dear, that you would make yourself very ridiculous. Lady Rest. I fancy, sir, you have not been behind-hand with me. Ha, ha, ha! Sir Wil. And now, Mr Blandford, I think we may as well let the match go on as we at first intended, Belin. Don't you think you have been barba- Bland. No, no more of that: you have dispo[Without looking at him.sed of your son. Belinda, I no longer oppose Bev. I have: I grant it. Can you find in your your inclinations: take Mr Beverley as soon as heart to forgive me? you will. Belin. [Without looking at him.] You have kept me on the rack this whole day, and can you wonder that I feel myself unhappy? Bev. I am to blame: I acknowledge it. If VOL. II. Sir John. Now let us see: if she agrees to, marry him, why, then, she knows he is innocent, and I shall be satisfied. [Asides Belin. If you insist upon it, sir. 5 F lashing of a top: it only serves to keep it up the longer. Sir John. Very true: and since we have been ALL IN THE WRONG TO-DAY, we will, for the future, endeavour to be ALL IN THE RIGHT. Bev. A fair proposal, sir John: we will make it our business, both you, who are married, and we, who are now entering into that state, by mutual confidence to ensure mutual happiness. The God of Love thinks we profane his fire, Gives home-felt peace; prevents the nuptial strife; Endears the bliss, and bids it last for life. [Exeunt omnes. |