know. To be sure people will say that miss don't know her own mind-but never mind that! Or, perhaps, they may be ill-natured enough to hint that the gentleman grew tired of the lady and forsook herbut don't let that fret you.

Lyd. There is no bearing his insolence.

[Bursts into tears

Reënter Mrs. MALAPROP and Sir ANTHONY

ABSOLUTE

Mrs. Mal. [Entering.] Come, we must interrupt your billing and cooing awhile.

Lyd. This is worse than your treachery and deceit, you base ingrate!

[Sobbing

Sir Anth. What the devil's the matter now! Zounds! Mrs. Malaprop, this is the oddest billing and cooing I ever heard!—but what the deuce is the meaning of it?—I am quite astonished!

Abs. Ask the lady, sir.

Mrs. Mal. Oh, mercy!—I'm quite analyzed, for my part! Why, Lydia, what is the reason of this?

Lyd. Ask the gentleman, ma'am.

Sir Anth. Zounds! I shall be in a frenzy!-Why, Jack, you are not come out to be any one else, are you? Mrs. Mal. Ay, sir, there's no more trick, is there?— you are not like Cerberus, three gentlemen at once, are you?

Abs. You'll not let me speak-I say the lady can account for this much better than I can.

Lyd. Ma'am, you once commanded me never to think

of Beverley again-there is the man-I now obey you: for, from this moment, I renounce him for ever.

[Exit LYDIA Mrs. Mal. Oh, mercy! and miracles! what a turn

here is

why sure, captain, you haven't behaved dis

respectfully to my niece?

Sir Anth. Ha! ha! ha!-ha! ha! ha!

now I see it. Ha! ha! ha!—now I see it—you have been too lively, Jack.

Abs. Nay, sir, upon my word—

Sir Anth. Come, no lying, Jack—I'm sure 'twas so. Mrs. Mal. O Lud! Sir Anthony!—Oh, fy, captain! Abs. Upon my soul, maʼam—

Sir Anth. Come, no excuses, Jack; why, your father, you rogue, was so before you:—the blood of the Absolutes was always impatient.-Ha! ha! ha! poor little Lydia! why, you've frightened her, you dog, you have. Abs. By all that's good, sir

Sir Anth. Zounds! say no more, I tell you-Mrs. Malaprop shall make your peace. You must make his peace, Mrs. Malaprop:-you must tell her 'tis Jack's way-tell her 't is all our ways—it runs in the blood of our family!-Come away, Jack-Ha! ha! ha! Mrs. Malaprop a young villain!

[Pushes him out

Mrs. Mal. Oh! Sir Anthony!-Oh, fy, captain! [Exeunt severally

SCENE III: The North Parade

Enter Sir LUCIUS O'TRIGGER

Sir Luc. I wonder where this Captain Absolute hides himself! Upon my conscience! these officers are always in one's way in love affairs:-I remember I might have married Lady Dorothy Carmine, if it had not been for a little rogue of a major, who ran away with her before she could get a sight of me! And I wonder too what it is the ladies can see in them to be so fond of them-unless it be a touch of the old serpent in 'em, that makes the little creatures be caught, like vipers, with a bit of red cloth. Ha! isn't this the captain coming?-faith it is! There is a probability of succeeding about that fellow that is mighty provoking! Who the devil is he talking to? [Steps aside

Enter Captain Absolute

Abs. [Aside.] To what fine purpose I have been plotting! a noble reward for all my schemes, upon my soul!

a little gypsy!—I did not think her romance could have made her so damned absurd either. 'Sdeath, I never was in a worse humour in my life!—I could cut my own throat, or any other person's, with the greatest pleasure in the world!

Sir Luc. Oh, faith! I'm in the luck of it. I never could have found him in a sweeter temper for my purposeto be sure I'm just come in the nick! Now to enter into conversation with him, and so quarrel genteelly.-[Goes up to Captain ABSOLUTE.] With regard to that matter, captain, I must beg leave to differ in opinion with you.