Mrs. Ful. Yes, sir, in this very house; but what of that? You have got what you like better; your toys, your trinkets. Go, go: oh! you're a man of a notable spirit, are you not?

Bel. Provoking creature bring me to the sight of the dear creature, and dispose of me as you think fit. Mrs. Ful. And of the diamonds too?

Bel. Damn 'em, I would there was not such a bauble in nature! But come, come, dispatch: if I had the throne of Dehli, I should give it to her.

Mrs. Ful. Swear to me then that you will keep within bounds; remember, she passes for the sister of young Dudley. Oh! if you come to your flights and your rhapsodies, she'll be off in an instant.

Bel. Never fear me.

Mrs. Ful. You must expect to hear her talk of her father, as she calls him, and her brother, and your bounty to her family.

Bel. Ay, ay, never mind what she talks of, only bring her.

Mrs. Ful. You'll be prepared upon that head? Bel. I shall be prepared, never fear: away with you.

Mrs. Ful. But hold, I had forgot: not a word of the diamonds; leave that matter to my management.

Bel. Hell and vexation! Get out of the room, or I shall run distracted. [Exit Mrs. Fulmer.] Of a certain, Belcour, thou art born to be the fool of woman: sure no man sins with so much repentance, or repents with so little amendment, as I do. I cannot give

A& III. away another person's property; honour forbids me : and I positively cannot give up the girl; love, passion, constitution, every thing protests against that. How shall I decide? I cannot bring myself to break a trust, and I am not at present in the humour to baulk my inclination. Is there no middle way? Let me consider-There is, there is: my good genius has presented me with one;, apt, obvious, honourable: the girl shall not go without her baubles—I'll not go without the girl-Miss Rusport sha'n't lose her diamonds-I'll save Dudley from destruction— and every party shall be a gainer by the project.

SCENE IV.

Enter Mrs. FULMER, introducing Miss DUDLEY. Mrs. Ful. Miss Dudley, this is the worthy gentleman you wish to see; this is Mr. Belcour.

Louisa. As I live, the very man, that beset me in the streets!

[Aside. Bel. An angel, by this light! Oh, I am gone past all retrieving! [Aside. Lou. Mrs. Fulmer, sir, informs me you are the gentleman from whom my father has received such civilities.

Bel. Oh! never name 'em.

Lou. Pardon me, Mr. Belcour, they must be both named and remembered; and if my father was here— Bel. I am much better pleased with his representative.

Lou. That title is my brother's, sir; I have no claim to it.

Bel. I believe it.

Lou. But as neither he nor my father were fortunate enough to be at home, I could not resist the opportunity

Bel. Nor I neither, by my soul, madam : let us improve it, therefore. I am in love with you to distraction; I was charmed at the first glance; I attempted to accost you; you fled; I followed; but was defeated of an interview: at length I have obtained one, and seize the opportunity of casting my person and my fortune at your feet.

Lou. You astonish me. Are you in your senses, or do you make a jest of my misfortunes? Do you ground pretences on your generosity, or do you make a practice of this folly with every woman you meet ?

Bel. Upon my life, no: as you are the handsomest woman I ever met, so you are the first to whom I ever made the like professions: as for my genero sity, madam, I must refer you on that score to this good lady, who I believe has something to offer in my behalf.

Lou. Don't build upon that, sir; I must have better proofs of your generosity, than the mere divestment of a little superfluous dross, before I can credit the sincerity of a profession so abruptly delivered.

[Exit hastily.

Bel. O ye gods and goddesses, how her anger animates her beauty! [Going out.

1

Mrs. Ful. Stay, sir; if you stir a step after her, I renounce your interest for ever: why you'll ruin every thing.

Bel. Well, I must have her, cost what it will: I see she understands her own value, though; a little superfluous dross, truly! She must have better proofs of my generosity.

Mrs. Ful. 'Tis exactly as I told you; your money she calls dross; she's too proud to stain her fingers with your coin: bate your hook well with jewels; try that experiment, and she's your own.

Bel. Take 'em; let 'em go; lay 'em at her feet; I must get out of the scrape as I can; my propensity is irresistible: there; you have 'em; they are yours; they are hers; but remember they are a trust; I commit them to her keeping till I can buy 'em off with something she shall think more valuable; now tell me when shall I meet her?

Mrs. Ful. How can I tell that? Don't you see what an alarm you've put her into? Oh, you're a rare one! But go your ways for this while; leave her to my management, and come to me at seven this evening; but remember not to bring empty pockets with youHa, ha, hal [Exeunt severally.

SCENE V.

Lady RUSPORT's House. Enter Miss RUSPORT, followed by a Servant.

Char. Desire Mr. Stockwell to walk in. [Exit Serv.

Enter STOCKWELL,

Stock. Madam, your most obedient servant: I am honoured with your commands, by Captain Dudley, and have brought the money with me as you directed; I understand the sum you have occasion for is two hundred pounds.

Char. It is, sir; I am quite confounded at your taking this trouble upon yourself, Mr. Stockwell.

Stock. There is a bank-note, madam, to the amount: your jewels are in safe hands, and will be delivered to you directly. If I had been happy in being better known to you, I should have hoped you would not have thought it necessary to place a deposit in my hands for so trifling a sum as you have now required me to supply you with.

Char. The baubles I sent you may very well be spared; and, as they are the only security in my present situation I can give you, I could wish you would retain them in your hands: when I am of age (which, if I live a few months, I shall be), I will replace your favour with thanks.

Stock. It is obvious, Miss Rusport, that your charms will suffer no impeachment by the absence of those superficial ornaments; but they should be seen in the suite of a woman of fashion, not as creditors, to whom you are indebted for your appearance, but as subservient attendants, which help to make up your equipage.