been well again-Keep up your spirits! I'll contrive, if I possibly can, to visit you every day.

Mrs. O. [Advances] Will you so? O, Mr. Oakly! have I discovered you at last? I'll visit you, indeed! And you, my dear madam, I'll—

Har. Madam, I don't understand

Mrs. O. I understand the whole affair, and have understood it for some time past.-You shall have a

private lodging, miss!- -It is the fittest place for you,

believe.- How dare you look me in the face?

Oak. For heaven's sake, my love, don't be so violent. -You are quite wrong in this affair-you don't know who you are a talking to. This lady is a person of

fashion.

Mrs. O. Fine fashion indeed! to seduce other women's husbands!

Har. Dear madam, how can you imagine

Oak. I tell you, my dear, this is the young lady that Charles

Mrs. O. Mighty well! but that won't do, sir!-Did not I hear you lay the whole intrigue together? Did not I hear your fine plot of throwing all the blame upon Charles?

Oak. Nay, be cool a moment. You must know, my dear, that the letter which came this morning related to this lady

Mrs. O. I know it.

Oak. And since that, it seems, Charles has been so fortunate as to

Mrs. O. O, you deceitful man!- -That trick is too stale to pass again with me.- -It is plain now what you meant by your proposing to take her into the house this morning.- -But the gentlewoman could introduce herself, I see.

Oak. Fie! fie! my dear, she came on purpose to inquire for you.

Mrs. O. For me!she watch her opportunity, and come to you just as I went out? But I am obliged to you for your visit,

-better and better!-Did not

madam. It is sufficiently paid. Pray, don't let me detain you.

Oak. For shame! for shame! Mrs. Oakly! How can you be so absurd? Is this proper behaviour to a lady of her character?

Mrs. O. I have heard her character. Go, my fine, runaway madam! Now you have eloped from your family, and run away from your aunt! Go! You shan't stay here, I promise you.

Oak. Pr'ythee, be quiet. are doing. She shall stay.

You don't know what you

Mrs. O. She shan't stay a minute.

Oak. She shall stay a minute, an hour, a day, a week,

a month, a year!

ever, if I choose it.

Mrs. O. How!

'Sdeath, madam, she shall stay for

Har. For heaven's sake, sir, let me go. I am frightened to death.

Oak. Don't be afraid, madam!—She shall stay, I insist upon it.

Rus. [Within] I tell you, sir, I will go up. I am sure the lady is here, and nothing shall hinder me. Har. O, my father! my father!

[Faints. Oak. See! she faints. [Catches her] Ring the bell! Who's there?

Mrs. O. What! take her into your arms too!-I have no patience.

Enter RUSSET.

Rus. Where is this- -ha! fainting! [Runs to her] O, my dear Harriot! my child! my child!

Oak. Your coming so abruptly shocked her spirits. But she revives. How do you do, madam? Har. [To Russet] O, sir!

Rus. O, my dear girl! how could you run away from your father, that loves you with such fondness?

I was sure I should find you here

But

Mrs. O. There-there!-sure he should find her here! Did I not tell you so?-Are not you a wicked

man, to carry on such base underhand doings, with a gentleman's daughter?

Rus. Let me tell you, sir, whatever you may think of the matter, I shall not easily put up with this behaviour. How durst you encourage my daughter to an elopement, and receive her in your house?

Mrs. O. There, mind that!- -The thing is as plain as the light.

Oak. I tell you, you misunderstand

Rus. Look you, Mr. Oakly, I shall expect satisfaction from your family for so gross an affront.

-Zounds, sir, I am not to be used ill by any man in England. Har. My dear sir, I can assure you

Rus. Hold your tongue, girl! You'll put me in a passion.

Oak. Sir, this is all a mistake.

Rus. A mistake! Did not I find her in your house? Oak. Upon my soul, she has not been in my house above

Mrs. O. Did not I hear you say, you would take her a lodging, a private lodging?

Oak. Yes, but that

Rus. Has not this affair been carried on a long time in spite of my teeth?

Oak. Sir, never troubled myself—

Mrs. O. Never troubled yourself! Did not you insist on her staying in the house, whether I would or no? Oak. No.

Rus. Did not you send to meet her, when she came to town?

Oak. No.

Mrs. O. Did not you deceive me about the letter this morning?

Oak. No-no-no-I tell you, no.

Mrs. O. Yes-yes-yes-I tell you, yes.
Rus. Shan't I believe my own eyes?
Mrs. O. Shan't I believe my own ears?
Oak. I tell you you are both deceived.
Rus. Zounds, sir, I'll have satisfaction.

Mrs. O. I'll stop these fine doings, I warrant you. Oak. 'Sdeath, you will not let me speak-and you are both alike, I think.- -I wish you were married to one another with all my heart.

Mrs. O. Mighty well! mighty well!

Rus. I shall soon find a time to talk with you.

Oak. Find a time to talk! you have talked enough now for all your lives.

Mrs. O. Very fine! Come along, sir! Leave that lady with her father. Now she is in the properest hands.

[Exit. Oak. I wish I could leave you in his hands. [Going, returns] One word with you, sir!The height of your passion, and Mrs. Oakly's strange misapprehension of this whole affair, makes it impossible to explain matters to you at present. I will do it when you please, and how you please.

Rus. Yes, yes; I'll have satisfaction.

-So, madam! I have found you at last. You have made a fine confusion here.

Har. I have indeed been the innocent cause of a great deal of confusion.

Rus. Innocent!running hither after

-What business had you to be

Har. My dear sir, you misunderstand the whole affair. I have not been in this house half an hour.

Rus. Zounds, girl, don't put me in a passion!You know I love you-but a lie puts me in a passion. But come along-we'll leave this house directly. [Charles sings without]-Hey-day? what now?

After a Noise without, enter CHARLES, drunk. Charles. [Sings] But my wine neither nurses nor babies can bring,

And a big-bellied bottle's a mighty good thing. What's here? a woman? Harriot! impossible! My dearest, sweetest Harriot! I have been looking all over the town for you, and at last-when I was tiredand weary-and disappointed-why then the honest

pint bumpers.

major and I sat down together to drink your health in [Running to her. Rus. Stand off!-How dare you take any liberty with my daughter before me? Zounds, sir, I'll be the death of you.

Charles. Ha! 'Squire Russet too!- -You jolly old cock, how do you do?-But, Harriot! my dear girl! [Taking hold of her] My life, my soul, my

Rus. Let her go, sir-come away, Harriot!-Leave him this instant, or I'll tear you asunder. [Pulling her. Har. There needs no violence to tear me from a man who could disguise himself in such a gross manner, at a time when he knew I was in the utmost distress.

[Disengages herself, and exit with Russet. -madam!

Charles. Only hear me, sir-my dear Harriot- -Mr. Russet-gone!- -she's gone!-and, 'egad, in very ill humour, and in very bad company! -I'll go after her-but hold!-I shall only make it worse as I did-now I recollect-once before. How the devil came they here?-Who would have thought of finding her in my own house?- -My head turns round with conjectures.-I believe I am drunk-very drunk-so, 'egad, I'll e'en go and sleep myself sober, and then inquire the meaning of all this. For

I love Sue, and Sue loves me, &c.

[Exit, singing.