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was the only jewel that could raise the meanness | the occasion of it. In spite of the torrent of faof my birth, or support me under my misfortunes; which, instead of relieving, you chose to make the pandar to your vile inclinations.

Lord Fal. Thou most amiable of thy sex, how I adore thee! Even thy resentment renders thee more lovely in my eyes, and makes thee, if possible, dearer to me than ever. Nothing but our union can ever make me happy.

Ame. Such an union must not, cannot be.
Lord Fal. Why? What should forbid it?
Ame. My father.

Lord Fal. Your father! where is he? In what

shion, and the practice of too many others of my rank in life, I have a relish for domestic happiness; and have always wished for a wife, who might render my home a delightful refuge from the cares and bustle of the world abroad. These were my views with you; but, thank Heaven, your outrageous temper happily betrayed itself in good time, and convinced me, that my sole aim in marriage would be frustrated: for I could neither have been happy myself, nor have made you so.

Lady Alt. Paltry evasion! You have abanever part of the world he now resides, I will con-doned me for your Amelia; you have mcanly vey you to him, and he shall ratify our happi- quitted a person of letters, a woman of rank and condition, for an illiterate vagabond, a needy ad

ness.

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venturer.

Lord Fal. The person you mention, madam, is, indeed, the opposite of yourself; she is all meekness, grace, and virtue.

Lady Alt. Provoking traitor! You urge me past all sufferance. I meant to expostulate, but you oblige me to invective.-But, have a care! You are not so secure as you suppose yourself; and I may revenge myself sooner than you imagine.

Lord Fal. I am aware of your vindictive disposition, madam; for I know, that you are more envious than jealous, and rather violent than tender; but the present object of my affections shall be placed above your resentment, and challenge your respect.

Lord Fal. Lady Alton! Confusion! Stay, madam! [To AMELIA, who is going. Ame. No, my lord; I have endured one affront from her already to-day; why should I expose myself to a second? Her ladyship, you know, has a prior claim to your attention. [Exit. Lord Fal. Distraction! I had a thousand things to say to her.-Go, my dear Polly, follow my Amelia! Plead earnestly in my behalf; urge all the tenderest things that fancy can suggest, Lady Alt. Away, fond man! I know that oband return to me as soon as lady Alton is de-ject of your affections better than yourself; I parted. know who she is; I know who the stranger is that arrived for her this morning; I know all: men more powerful than yourself shall be apprised of the whole immediately; and within these two hours, nay, within this hour, you shall see the unworthy object, for which you have slighted me, with all that is dear to her and you, torn away from you perforce. [Going.

Mol. I will, my lord. Oh lud! here she is, as I am alive! [Exit. Lady Fal. Abandoned by Amelia! and hunted by this fury! I shall run wild!

Enter LADY ALTON.

Lady Alt. You may well turn away from me; at length I have full conviction of your baseness. I am now assured of my own shame, and your falsehood. Perfidious monster!

Lord Fal. It is unjust to tax me with perfidy, madam. I have rather acted with too much sincerity. I long ago frankly declared to you the utter impossibility of our reconciliation.

Lady Alt. What! after having made your addresses to me? After having sworn the most inviolable affection for me? Oh, thou arch-deceiver!

Lord Fal. I never deceived you: when I professed a passion, I really entertained one: when I made my addresses to you, I wished to call you my wife.

Lady Alt. And what can you allege in excuse of your 'alsehood? Have you not been guilty of the blackest perjury?

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Lord Fal. The change of my sentiments needs no excuse from me, madam; you were yourself

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Lord Fal. Ha! how's this? Stay, madam! Explain yourself! But one word; do but hear

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port her to every extravagance: how dreadful is jealousy in a woman!

Mol. Ay, it is a dreadful thing, indeed, my Jord. Well! Heaven send me always to be in love, and never to be jealous!

Lord Fal. But she talked of tearing Amelia from me perforce-And then some strangerShe threatens him, too: what is it she means? Mol. What! a gentleman that came to madam Amelia? [Alarmed. Lord Ful. Yes, to Amelia; and arrived this very day, she says.

Mol. We are ruined for ever! she means sir William Douglas!

Lord Fal. The father of my Amelia! Is he here?

Mol. Yes, my lord; I was bound to secrecy;

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but I can't help telling you the whole truth, because I am sure you will do all in your power to be of service to us.

Lord Fal. You know my whole soul, Polly: this outrageous woman's malice shall be defeated.

Mol. Heaven send it may !

Lord Fal. Be assured it shall: do not alarm your mistress; I fly to serve her, and will return as soon as possible.

Mol. I shall be miserable till we see you again, my lord. [Exit. Lord Fal. And now, good Heaven! that art the protection of innocence, second my endeavours! enable me to repair the affront I have offered to injured virtue, and let me relieve the unhappy from their distresses. [Exit.

ACT V.

SCENE I.-Continues.

Enter LORD FALBRIDGE and MOLLY, meeting. Mol. Оn, my lord! I am glad to see you returned.

Lord Fal. Where is your mistress? [Eagerly. Mol. In her own chamber.

Lord Fal. And where is sir William Douglas? Mol. With my mistress.

Lord Fal. And have there been no officers here to apprehend them?

Mol. Officers! No, my lord. Officers! you frighten me! I was in hopes, by seeing your lordship so soon again, that there were some good news for us.

Lord Fal. Never was any thing so unfortunate. The noble persons, to whom I meant to make application, were out of town; nor could by any means be seen or spoken with, till tomorrow morning: and, to add to my distraction,

learnt that a new information had been made, and a new warrant issued to apprehend sir William Douglas aud Amelia.

my

Mol. Oh dear! What can we do then? Lord Fal. Do! I shall run mad. Go, dear Polly, go to your mistress, and sir William, and inform them of their danger. Every moment is precious, but perhaps they may yet have time to escape.

Mol. I will, my lord!

[Going. Lord Fal. Stay! [MOLLY returns.] My chariot is at the door; tell them not to wait for any other carriage, but to get into that, and drive away immediately.

Mol. I will, my lord. Oh dear! I never was so terrified in all my life!

[Erit MOLLY. Lord Fal. If I can but save them now, we may gain time for mediation. Ha! what noise? Are the officers coming? Who's here?

Enter LA FRANCE.

La France. Milor, mons. le duc de

Lord Fal. Sirrah! villain! You have been the occasion of all this mischief. By your carelessness, or treachery, lady Alton has intercepted my letter to Amelia.

La France. Ladi Alton?

Lord Fal. Yes, dog; did not I send you here this morning with a letter?

La France. Oui, milor.

Lord Fal. And did you bring it here, rascal?
La France. Oui, milor.

Lord Fal. No, sirrah. You did not bring it; the lady never received any letter from me; she told me so herself: whom did you give it to? [LA FRANCE hesitates.] Speak, sirrah! or I'll shake your soul out of your body. [Shaking him. La France. I giv it toLord Fal. Who, rascal? La France. Monsieur Spatter. Lord Fal. Mr Spatter?

La France. Oui, milor; he promis to giv it to Mademoiselle Amelie, vid his own hand.

Lord Fal. I shall soon know the truth of that, sir, for yonder is Mr Spatter himself: run, and tell him I desire to speak with him!

La France. Oui, milor; ma foi, I vas very near kesh; I never was in more vilain embarras in all my life. [Exit LA FRANCE.

Lord Fal. My letter's falling into the hands of that fellow, accounts for every thing. The contents instructed him concerning Amelia. What a wretch I am! Destined every way to be of prejudice to that virtue, which I am bound to adore.

Re-enter LA FRANCE with SPATTER. Spat. Monsieur la France tells me, that your lordship desires to speak with me- -what are your commands, my lord? [Pertly

Lord Fal. The easy impudence of the rascal puts me out of all patience! Spat. My lord!

[Aside.

Lord Fal. The last time I saw you, sir, you were rewarded for the good you had done; you must expect now to be chastised for your mischief.

Spat. Mischief, my lord?

Lord Fal. Yes, sir-where is that letter of mine, which La France tells me he gave you to deliver to a young lady of this house? Spat. Oh the devil! [Apart.] Letter, my lord? [Hesitates. Lord Fal. Yes, letter, sir; did not you give it him, La France?

La France. Oui, milor!

Spat. Y-e-e-s, yes, my lord; I had the letter of Monsieur La France, to be sure, iny lord; but-but

Lord Fal. But what, sirrah? give me the letter immediately; and if I find that the seal has been broken, I will break every bone in your skin.

Spat. For Heaven's sake, my lord! [Feeling in his pockets.] I-I-I have not got the letter about me at present, my lord; but if you will give me leave to step to my apartment, I'll bring it you immediately."

[Offering to go. Lord Fal. [Stopping him.] No, no; that will not do, sir; you shall not stir, I promise youLook ye, rascal! tell me, what is become of my letter, or I will be the death of you this instant. [Drawing. Spat. [Kneeling.] Put up your sword, my lord; put up your sword; and I will tell you every thing in the world. Indeed, I will.

sir.

Lord Fal. Well, sir; be quick then!
[Putting up his sword.

Spat. Lady Alton-
Lord Fal. Lady Alton! I thought so; go on,

Spat. Lady Alton, my lord, desired me to procure her all the intelligence in my power, concerning every thing that past between your lordship and Amelia.

Lord Fal. Well, sir; what then?

Spat. A little patience, I entreat your lordship. Accordingly, to oblige her ladyship- -one must oblige the ladies, you know, my lord-I did keep a pretty sharp look-out, I must confess : and this morning, meeting Monsieur La France, with a letter from your lordship in his charge, I verv readily gave him five guineas of her ladyship's bounty-money, to put it into iny hands. La France. Oh diable! me voila perdu! Lord Fal. How! A bribe, rascal?

[Aside.

[To LA FRANCE. La France. Ah, milor! [On his knees. Spat. At the same price for every letter, he would have sold a whole mail, my lord. VOL. II.

La France. Ayez pitiè de moi ! [Holding up his hands. Lord Fal. Betray the confidence I reposed in

you?

Spat. He offered me the letter of his own accord, my lord.

La France. No such ting, en veritè, milor! Spat. Very true, I can assure your lordship. Lord Fal. Well, well; I shall chastise him at my leisure. At present, sir, do you return me my letter.

Spat. I-I have it not about me, my lord. Lord Fal. Where is it, rascal? tell me this instant, or

La France. Ledy Altón

Lord Fal. [To SPATTER.] What! has she got it? speak, sirrah!

Spat. She has, indeed, my lord.

Lord Fal. Are not you a couple of villains? La France. Oui, milor. both speak at once.

Spat. Yes, my lord!

Lord Fal. [To SPAT.] But hold, sir! a word more with you! As you seem to be lady Alton's chief agent, I must desire some further information from you.

Spat. Any thing in my power, my lord.

Lord Fal. I can account for her knowledge of Amelia, by means of my letter; but how did she discover sir William Douglas?

Spat. I told her, my lord.

Lord Fal. But how did you discover him yourself?

Spat. By listening, my lord.

Lord Fal. By listening?

Spat. Yes, by listening, my lord! let me but once be about a house, and I'll engage to clear it, like a ventilator, my lord. There is not a door to a single apartment in this house, but I have planted my ear at the key-hole.

Lord Fal. And were these the means by which you procured your intelligence?

Spat. Yes, my lord.

Lord Fal. Impossible!

Spat. Oh dear! nothing so easy; this is nothing at all, my lord! I have given an account of the plays in our journal, for three months together, without being nearer the stage than the pit-passage; and I have collected the debates of a whole session, for the magazine, only by attending in the lobby.

Lord Fal. Precious rascal!-Ha! who comes here? Lady Alton herself again, as I live! Spat. [Apart. The devil she is! I wish I was out of the house.

Enter LADY ALTON.

Lady Alt. What! still here, my lord? still witnessing to your own shame, and the justice of my resentiment!

Lord Fal. Yes, I am still here, madam; and sorry to be made a witness of your cruelty and meanness of your descending to arts, so much

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beneath your rank; and practices, so unworthy | ALTON.] Do not alarm yourself, my Amelia !— of your sex.

Lady Alt. You talk in riddles, my lord! Lord Fal. This gentleman shall explain them. Here, madam! here is the engine of your malice, the instrument of your vengeance, your prime minister, Mr Spatter.

Lady Alt. What have I to do with Mr Spatter?

Lord Fal. To do mischief-to intercept let ters, and break them open; to overhear private conversations, and betray them; toLady Alt. Have you laid any thing of this kind to my charge, sir?

[To SPATTER. Spat. I have been obliged to speak the truth, though much against my will, indeed, madam.

Lady Alt. The truth! thou father of lies, did ever any truth proceed from thee? What! is his lordship your new patron! A fit Mæcenas for thee, thou scandal to the belles lettres!

Lord Fal. Your rage at this detection is but a fresh conviction of your guilt.

Lady Alt. Do not triumph, monster! you shall still feel the superiority I have over you. The object of your wishes is no longer under your protection; the officers of the government entered the house at the same time with myself, with a warrant to seize both Amelia and her father.

Lord Fal. Confusion! Are not they gone then? La France ! villain! run, and bring me word!

La France. I go, milor!

[Exit. Lady Alt. Do not flatter yourself with any hopes; they have not escaped; here they are, secured in proper hands.

Lord Fal. Death and distraction! now I am completely miserable.

Enter SIR WILLIAM DOUGLAS, AMELIA, OWEN, and Officers.

Lady Alt. Yes, your misery is complete indeed; and so shall be my revenge. Oh! your servant, madam! [Turning to AMELIA] You now see to what a condition your pride and obstinacy have reduced you. Did not I bid you tremble at the consequences?

Ame. It was here alone that I was vulnerable. [Holding her father's hand.] Oh, madam! [Turning to LADY ALTON.] by the virtues that should adorn your rank, by the tenderness of your sex, I conjure you, pity my distress! do but release my father, and there are no concessions, however humiliating, which you may not exact from me.

Lady Alt. Those concessions now come too late, madam. If I were even inclined to relieve you, at present it is not in my power. [Haughtily.] Lord Falbridge perhaps may have more in[With a sneer. Lord Fal. Cruel, insulting woman! [TO LADY

terest.

Do not be concerned, sir! [To SIR WILLIAM.] Your enemies shall still be disappointed. ALthough ignorant of your arrival, I have, for some time past, exerted all my interest in your favour, and, by the mediation of those still more powerful, I do not despair of success. Your case is truly a compassionate one; and in that breast, from which alone mercy can proceed, thank Heaven, there is the greatest reason to expect it.

sir.

Sir Wil. I am obliged to you for your concern,

Lord Fal. Oh, I owe you all this, and much more-But this is no time to speak of my offences, or repentance.

Lady Alt. This is mere trifling. I thought you knew on what occasion you came hither, sir.

[To the Officer. Offi. Your reproof is too just, madam. I attend you, sir. [To SIR WILLIAM.

Lord Fal. Hold! Let me prevail on you, sir, [To the Officer.] to suffer them to remain here till to-morrow morning. I will answer for the consequences.

Offi. Pardon me, my lord! we should be hap py to oblige you; but we must discharge the duty of our office.

Lady Fal. Distraction!

Sir Wil. Come, then! we follow you, sir! Be comforted, my Amelia! for my sake, be com forted! Wretched as I am, your anxiety shocks me more than my own misfortunes.

As they are going out, Enter FREEPORT. Free. Heyday! what now! the officers here again! I thought we had satisfied you this morning. What is the meaning of all this? Offi. This will inform you, sir.

[Giving the warrant. Free. How's this? Let me see! [Reading.] This is to require you'-um um- the bodies of William Ford and Amelia Walton'-um am -suspected persons'-um-um-Well, well! I see what this is: but you will accept of bail, sir?

Offi. No, sir; this case is not bailable, and we have already been reprimanded for taking your recognizance this morning.

Sir Wil. Thou good man! I shall ever retain the most lively sense of your behaviour: but your kind endeavours to preserve the poor remainder of my proscribed life are in vain. must submit to our destiny.

We [All going.

Free. Hold, hold! one word, I beseech you, sir? [To the Officer.] a minute or two will make no difference---Bail then, it seems, will not do, sir?

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Lady Alt. What does he mean? Free. No, it is not there.- -It is in t'other pocket, I believe. Here, sir William! [Producing a parchment.] Ask the gentleman, if that will not do. But, first of all, read it yourself, and let us hear how you like the contents.

Sir Wil. What do I see! [Opening and perusing it.] My pardon! the full and free pardon of my offences! Oh heaven! and is it to you then, to you, sir, that I owe all this?---Thus, thus let me shew my gratitude to my benefactor!

[Falling at his feet. Free. Get up, get up, sir William! Thank Heaven, and the most gracious of monarchs. You have very little obligation to me, I promise

you.

Ame. My father restored! Then I am the happicst of women!

Lord Fal. A pardon! I am transported. Lady Alt. How's this? a pardon! Free. Under the great seal, madam. Lady Alt. Confusion! what! am I baffled at last then? Am I disappointed even of my revenge?-Thou officious fool! [To FREEPORT.] May these wretches prove as great a torment to you, as they have been to me! As for thee, [To LORD FALBRIDGE.] thou perfidious monster, may thy guilt prove thy punishment! May you obtain the unworthy union you desire! May your wife prove as false to you, as you have been to me! May you be followed, like Orestes, with the furies of a guilty conscience; find your error when it is too late; and die in all the horrors of despair! [Erit. Free. There goes a woman of quality for you! what little actions! and what a great soul!Ha! Master Spatter ! where are you going?

To SPATTER, who is sneaking off. Spat. Following the Muse, sir! [Pointing after LADY ALTON.] But if you have any further commands, or his lordship should have occasion for me to write his epithalamium-

Lord Fal. Peace, wretch! sleep in a whole skin, and be thankful! I would solicit mercy myself, and have not leisure to punish you. Be gone, sir!

Spat. I am obliged to your lordship-This affair will make a good article for the EveningPost to-night, however. [Aside, and Exit. Sir Wil. How happy has this reverse of fortune made me !—But my surprise is almost equal to my joy. May we beg you, sir, [To FREEPORT.] to inform us how your benevolence has effected what seems almost a miracle, in my favour?

Free. In two words then, sir William, this happy event is chiefly owing to your old friend, the late lord Brumpton.

Sir Wil. Lord Brumpton!

Free. Yes; honest Owen there told me, that his lordship had been employed in soliciting your pardon. Did not you, Owen? Owen. I did, sir.

Free. Upon hearing that, and perceiving the danger you were in, I went immediately to the present lord Brumpton; who is a very honest fellow, and one of the oldest acquaintance I have in the world. He, at my instance, immediately made the necessary application; and guess how agreeably we were surprised to hear that the late lord had already been successful, and that the pardon had been made out, on the very morning of the day his lordship died. Away went I, as fast as a pair of horses could carry me, to fetch it; and should certainly have prevented this last arrest, if the warrant to apprehend you, as dangerous persons, had not issued under your assumed names of William Ford and Amelia Walton, against whom the information had been laid. But, however, it has only served to prevent your running away, when the danger was over; for at present, sir William, thank Heaven and his majesty, you are a whole man again; and you have nothing to do but to make a legal appearance, and to plead the pardon I have brought you, to absolve you from all informations.

Lord Fal. Thou honest, excellent man! How happily have you supplied, what I failed to accomplish!

Free. Ay, I heard that your lordship had been busy.-You had more friends at court than one, sir William, I promise you.

Sir Wil. I am overwhelmed with my sudden good fortune, and am poor even in thanks. Teach me, Mr Freeport, teach me how to make some acknowledgement for your extraordinary generosity!

Free. I'll tell you what, sir William. Notwithstanding your daughter's pride, I took a liking to her, the moment I saw her.

Lord Fal. Ha! What's this!
Free. What's the matter, my lord?
Lord Fal. Nothing. Go on, sir!

Free. Why, then, to confess the truth, I am afraid that my benevolence, which you have all been pleased to praise so highly, had some little leaven of self-interest in it; and I was desirous to promote Amelia's happiness more ways than one.

Lord Fal. Then I am the veriest wretch that ever existed.-But take her, sir! for I must confess that you have deserved her by your proceedings; and that I, fool and villain that I was, have forfeited her by mine. [Going.

Free. Hold, hold! one word before you go, if you please, my lord! You may kill yourself for aught 1 know, but you shan't lay your death at my door, I promise you. 1 had a kindness for Amelia, I must confess; but, in the course of my late negotiation for sir William, hearing of your lordship's pretensions, I dropt all thoughts of her. It is a maxim with me, to do good wherever I can, but always to abstain from doing mischief.-Now, as I can't make the lady

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