within me. But tell me, loveliest, when you pardon the offence, can you, all perfect as you are, approve of the offender? As I now cease to view you in that false light I lately did, can you, and in the fulness of your bounty will you, cease also to reflect upon the libertine addresses I have paid you, and look upon me as your reformed, your rational admirer ? Lou. Are sudden reformations apt to last? and how can I be sure the first fair face you meet will not ensnare affections so unsteady, and that I shall not lose you lightly as I gained you ? Bel. Because, though you conquered me by surprise, I have no inclination to rebel; because, since the first moment that I saw you, every instant has improved you in my eyes, because by principle as well as passion I am unalterably yours in short, there are ten thousand causes for my love to you :would to Heaven I could plant one in your soft bosom, that might move you to return it! Lou. Nay, Mr. Belcour Bel. I know I am not worthy your regard; I know I'm tainted with a thousand faults, sick of a thousand follies; but there's a healing virtue in your eyes that makes recovery certain; I cannot be a villain in your arms. Lou. That you can never be: whomever you shall honour with your choice, my life upon't that woman will be happy it is not from suspicion that I hesitate, it is from honour: 'tis the severity of my condi tion, it is the world, that never will interpret fairly in our case. Bel. Oh, what am I? and who in this wide world concerns himself for such a nameless, such a friend. less thing as I am? I see, Miss Dudley, I've not yet obtained your pardon. Lou. Nay, that you are in full possession of. Bel. Oh, seal it with your hand then, loveliest of women, confirm it with your heart; make me honourably happy, and crown your penitent, not with your pardon only, but your love. Lou. My love! Bel. By Heaven, my soul is conquered with your virtues more than my eyes are ravished with your beauty. Oh, may this soft, this sensitive alarm be happy, be auspicious! Doubt not, deliberate not, delay not. If happiness be the end of life, why do we slip a moment? SCENE VI. Enter O'FLAHERTY, and afterwards DUDLEY and CHARLES with STOCKWELL. O'Fla. Joy, joy, joy! Sing, dance, leap, laugh for joy! Ha' done making love, and fall down on your knees to every saint in the calendar; for they're all on your side, and honest St. Patrick at the head of them. Charles. O Louisa, such an event! By the luckiest chance in life we have discovered a will of my grandfather's made in his last illness, by which he cuts off my aunt Rusport with a small annuity, and leaves me heir to his whole estate, with a fortune of fifteen thou sand pounds to yourself. Lou. What is it you tell me? O sir, instruct me to support this unexpected turn of fortune. [To her Father. Dud. Name not fortune; 'tis the work of Provi dence-'tis the justice of Heaven, that would not suffer innocence to be oppressed, nor your base aunt to prosper in her cruelty and cunning. [A Servant whispers Belcour, and he goes out. O'Fla. You shall pardon me, Captain Dudley, but you must not overlook St. Patrick neither; for, by my soul, if he had not put it into my head to slip behind the screen when your righteous aunt and the lawyer were plotting together, I don't see how you would ever have come at the paper there, that Master Stockwell is reading. Dud. True, my good friend, you are the father of this discovery; but how did you contrive to get this will from the lawyer? O'Fla. By force, my dear-the only way of getting any thing from a lawyer's clutches. Stock. Well, major, when he brings his action of assault and battery against you, the least Dudley can do is, to defend you with the weapons you have put into his hands. Charles. That I am bound to do; and after the Jus. Ax mar, much about that time burel Ben de rare of service, and "twere we" we" rest first our labours, and peacefully w... 5. Areed, and vou may take it as a pro gang man, that Major O'Flaher ve your hands-for by Heave the say I thank you' to the m Bibeless you are an honest lad are trunced the old cat-for on arsen, tente," must stherwise have married in oc ter a share of her me of Belcour? serrant called him out just nor * tarmes occasion, - she has toned to v gratitude in me to doubt his child? r pardon now, 'tis a frivolous at of yours; for you may see he young lady's looks, that she ugh she speaks never a word. r, I believe the major has fairly of your heart. what must that heart be, which 'neficence like Mr. Belcour's can on ? What happiness has this hour L |