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

Mrs. 0. [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 understandMrs. 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, I 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 imaginem

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

Mrs. 0. 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?

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

Mrs. 0. I know it.

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

Mrs. 0. 0, 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 ber 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!- -better and better! Did not she watch her opportunity, and come to you just as 1 went out? But I am obliged to you for your visit,

FE.

irits! I'm

detain you.

You

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

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

Mrs. 0. I have heard her character. Go, my fine, runaway madam! Now you have eloped from your family, and run away from your aunt!, Go!shan't stay here, I promise you.

Oak. Prythee, be quiet. You don't know what you are doing. She shall stay.

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

Oak. She shall stay a minute, an hour, a a week, a month, a year! -'Sdeath, madam, she shall stay for ever, if I choose it.

Mrs. 0. How !

Har. For leaven's sake, sir, let me go. I anı frightened to death.

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

Rus. [Within] I tell you, sir, I will go up. I ain 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. 0. 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] 0, sir!

Rus. O, my dear girl! how could you run away from your father, that loves you with such fondness? But I was sure I should find

you hereMrs. 0. There--there--sure he should find her here! Did I not tell you so?--Are vol 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 bebaviour.—How durst you encourage my daughter to an elopement, and receive her in your house?

Mrs. O. There, inind 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. 0. 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,

morning?

Mrs. 0. Did not you deceive me about the letter this
Oak. No-no-10-I tell you, no.
Mrs. 0. Yes-yes-yes--I tell you, yes.
Rus. Shan't I believe my own eyes?
Mrs. O, Shan't I believe my own ears?
Vak. I tell you you are both deceived.
Rus. Zounds, sir, I'll have satisfaction.

Mrs. 0. I'll stop these fine doings, I warrant you.

Oak. 'Sdeath, you will not let ine speak and you are both alike, I think.--I wish you were married to one another wilh all my heart.

Mrs. O. Mighty well! mighty well!
Rus. I shall

soon find a tiine 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 wilh 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 bave satisfaction. -So, madam! I have found you at last.- -You have made a fine confosion here.

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

Rus. Innocent!- -What business had you to be running hither after

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 alongm-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 bere? a woman? Harriot! impossible! My dearest, sweetest Harriot! I have been looking all over the town for you, and at last- when I was tired and weary-and disappointed—why then the honest

major and I sat down together to drink your health in pint bumpers.

(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 yon.

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

Rus. Let her go, sir-come away, Harriot!-Leave hin 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. Charles. Only hear me, sir----madam! Harriot-Mr. Russet-gone!

--she's gone!--and, 'egad, in very ill bumour, 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

-my dear