Char. Mr. Stockwell is determined not to wrong the confidence I reposed in his politeness.

Stock. I have only to request, madam, that you will allow Mr. Belcour, a young gentleman in whose happiness I particularly interest myself, to have the honour of delivering you the box of jewels.

Char. Most gladly; any friend of yours cannot fail of being welcome here.

Stock. I flatter myself you will not find him totally undeserving your good opinion; an education, not of the strictest kind, and strong animal spirits, are apt | sometimes to betray him into youthful irregularities; but an high principle of honour, and an uncommon benevolence, in the eye of candour will, I hope, atone for any faults, by which these good qualities are not impaired.

Char. I dare say Mr. Belcour's behaviour wants no apology; we've no right to be over strict in canvassing the morals of a common acquaintance.

Stock. I wish it may be my happiness to see Mr. Belcour in the list, not of your common, but particular acquaintance-of your friends, Miss RusportI dare not be more explicit.

Char. Nor need you, Mr. Stockwell: I shall be studious to deserve his friendship; and, though I have long since unalterably placed my affection on another, I trust, I have not left myself insensible to the merits of Mr. Belcour; and hope that neither he nor you will, for that reason, think me less worthy of your good opinion and regards.

Stock. Miss Rusport, I sincerely wish you happy: I have no doubt you have placed your affection on a deserving man; and I have no right to combat your choice. [Exit.

Char. How honourable is that behaviour! Now, if Charles were here, I should be happy. The old lady is so fond of her new Irish acquaintance, that I have the whole house at my disposal. [Exit

SCENE VI.

Enter BELCOUR, preceded by a Servant.

Serv. I ask your honour's pardon; I thought my young lady was here: who shall I inform her would #speak to her?

Bel. Belcour is my name, sir; and pray beg your lady to put herself in no hurry on my account; for I'd sooner see the devil than see her face.-[Exit Servant.]—In the name of all that's mischievous, why did Stockwell drive me hither in such haste? A = pretty figure, truly, I shall make! an ambassador without credentials. Blockhead that I was, to charge myself with her diamonds-officious, meddling puppy! Now they are irretrievably gone: that suspicious jade Fulmer wou'dn't part even with a sight of them, tho' I would have ransomed them at twice their value.-→→ Now must I trust to my poor wits to bring me off: a lamentable dependance. Fortune be my helper :Here comes the girl.If she is noble-minded, as G

she is said to be, she will forgive me

-if not, 'tis a

lost cause; for I have not thought of one word in my

excuse.

SCENE VII.

Enter CHARLOTTE.

Char. Mr. Belcour, I'm proud to see you: your friend, Mr. Stockwell, prepared me to expect this hoand I am happy in the opportunity of being known to you.

nour;

Bel. A fine girl, by my soul! Now what a cursed hang-dog do I look like!

[Aside. Char. You are newly arrived in this country, sir? Bel. Just landed, madam, just set a-shore, with a large cargo of Muscavado sugars, rum-puncheons, mahogany slabs, wet sweetmeats, and green paroquets.

Char. May I ask you how you like London, sir.

Bel. To admiration: I think the town and the town's-folk are exactly suited; 'tis a great, rich, overgrown, noisy, tumultuous place: the whole morning is a bustle to get money, and the whole afternoon is a hurry to spend it.

Char. Are these all the observations you have made

Bel. No, madam; I have observed the women are very captivating, and the men very soon caught. Char. Ay, indeed! Whence do you draw that conclusion?

Bel. From infallible guides; the first remark I col lect from what I now see, the second from what I now feel.

Char. Oh, the deuce take you! But, to wave this subject-I believe, sir, this was a visit of business, not compliment: was it not?

Bel. Ay now comes on my execution.

Char. You have some foolish trinkets of mine, Mr. Belcour; hav'n't you?

Bel. No, in truth, they are gone in search of a trin. ket, still more foolish than themselves. Aside. Char. Some diamonds, I mean, sir. Mr. Stockwell informed me you was charged with 'em.

Bel. Oh, yes, madam—but I have the most treacherous memory in life-here they are: pray put 'em up; they're all right; you need not examine 'em. [Gives a box.

Char. Hey-day-right, sir! Why these are not my diamonds; these are quite different; and, as it should seem, of much greater value.

Bel. Upon my life, I'm glad on't; for then I hope you value 'em more than your own.

Char. As a purchaser I should, but not as an owner: you mistake; these belong to 'somebody else. Bel. 'Tis yours, I'm afraid, that belong to somebody else.

Char. What is it you mean? I must insist upon your taking 'em back again.

Bel. Pray, madam, don't do that; I shall infallibly

A& III. lose them: I have the worst luck with diamonds of

any man living.

Char. That you might well say, was you to give me these in the place of mine; but pray, sir, what is the reason of all this? Why have you changed the jewels, and where have you disposed of mine?

Bel. Miss Rusport, I cannot invent a lie for my life; and, if it was to save it, I cou'dn't tell one: I am an idle, dissipated, unthinking fellow, not worth your notice in short, I am a West Indian; and you must try me according to the charter of my colony, not by a jury of English spinsters. The truth is, I've given away your jewels; caught with a pair of spark. ling eyes, whose lustre blinded theirs, I served your property as I should my own, and lavished it away: let me not totally despair of your forgiveness: I frequently do wrong, but never with impunity; if your displeasure is added to my own, my punishment will be too severe. When I parted from the jewels, I had not the honour of knowing their owner.

Char, Mr, Belcour, your sincerity charms me; I enter at once into your character, and I make all the allowances for it you can desire. I take your jewels for the present, because I know there is no other way of reconciling you to yourself; but, if I give way to your spirit in one point, you must yield to mine in another: remember, I will not keep more than the value of my own jewels: there is no need to be pil. laged by more than one woman at a time, sir.