-Nay then, [Draws] come, sir! You're unarm'd, 1 see. Give up the lady give her up, I say, or I am through you in a twinkling.

[Going to make a Pass at Charles. Charles. Keep your distance, my lord! I have arms. [Produces a Pistol] If you come a foot nearer, you have a brace of balls through your lordship's head. Lord T. How? what's this? pistols!

Charles. At your lordship's service. Sword and pistol, my lord. Those, you know, are our weapons.

-If this misses, I have the fellow to it in my pocket. -Don't be frightened, madam. His lordship has removed your friends and relations, but he will take great care of you. Shall I leave you with him?

Har. Cruel Charles! you know I must go with you

now.

Charles. A little way from the door, if your lordship pleases. [Waves his Hand. Lord T. Sir!-'Sdeath!-Madam!Charles. A little more round, my lord. Lord T. But, sir!—Mr. Oakly!

[Waves.

Charles. I have no leisure to talk with your lordship now. -A little more that way, if you please. [Waves] -You know where I live.- -If you have any commands for miss Russet, you will hear of her too at my house. Nay, keep back, my lord. [Presents] Your lordship's most obedient, humble servant.

[Exit, with Harriot. Lord T. [Looks at them, and pauses for a short Time] -I cut a mighty ridiculous figure here, 'pon honour.

[Exit.

F

SCENE I. LADY FREELOVE's House. Enter LORD TRINKET, LADY FREELOVE, with a Letter, and CAPTAIN O'CUTTER.

Lord T. Was ever any thing so unfortunate! Plague on't, captain, how could you make such a strange blun

der?

O'Cut. I never thought of a blunder. I was to deliver two letters; and if I gave them one a piece, I thought it would do.

Lady F. And so, my lord, the ingenious captain gave the letter intended for me to young Oakly, and here has brought me a challenge.

Lord T. Ridiculous! Never was any thing so mal apropos.-Did you read the direction, captain? O'Cut. Who, me?- -Devil burn me, not I. I never rade at all.

Lord T. 'Sdeath! how provoking! When I had secured the servants, and got all the people out of the way-when every thing was en train.

Lady F. Nay, never despair, my lord! I've hit upon a method to set every thing to rights again.

Lord T. How? how? my dear lady Freelove, how? Lady F. Suppose then your lordship was to go and deliver these country gentlemen from their confinement; make them believe it was a plot of young OakJy's to carry off my niece; and so make a merit of your own services with the father.

Lord T. Admirable! I'll about it immediately.

O'Cut. Has your lordship any occasion for my sarvice in this expedition?

Lord T. O, no- -Only release me these people, and then keep out of the way, dear captain.

O'Cut. With all my heart, 'fait. But you are all wrong:-this will not signify a brass farding. If you would let me alone, I would give him a salt eel, I warrant you.-But upon my credit, there's noting to be done without a little tilting. [Exit. Lord T. But where shall I carry them, when I have delivered them?

Lady F. To Mr. Oakly's, by all means; you may be sure my niece is there.

Lord T. To Mr. Oakly's!--Why, does your ladyship consider? "Tis going directly in the fire of the enemy--throwing the dementi full in their teeth.

Lady F. So much the better. Face your enemiesnay, you shall outface them too. I'll certainly meet you there. It's hard indeed if two persons of condition can't bear themselves out against such trumpery folks as the family of the Oaklys.

Lord T. Odious low people! But I lose time-I must after the captain-and so, till we meet at Mr. Oakly's, I kiss your ladyship's hands-you won't fail me?

Lady F. You may depend on me. [Exit Lord Trinket] So, here is fine work! this artful little hussy has been too much for us all. Well, what's to be done? Why, when a woman of fashion gets into a scrape, nothing but a fashionable assurance can get her out of it again. I'll e'en go boldly to Mr. Oakly's, as I have promised, and if it appears practicable, I will forward ford Trinket's match; but if I find that matters have taken

In that

another turn, his lordship must excuse me. case, I'll fairly drop him, seem a perfect stranger to all his intentions, and give my visit an air of congratulation to my niece and any other husband, which fortune, her wise father, or her ridiculous self has provided for her. [Exit.

SCENE II. MRS OAKLY'S Dressing-room.

Enter MRS. OAKLY.

Mrs. (). This is worse and worse!--He never held me so much in contempt before

-To go out without

speaking to me, or taking the least notice. obliged to the major for this.

I am

-How could he take

him out? and how could Mr. Oakly go with him?

Well, Toilet.

Enter TOILET.

Toil. My master is not come back yet, ma'am.
Mrs. O. Where is he gone?

Toil. I don't know, I can assure your ladyship.
Mrs. O. Why don't you know?-You know nothing.
-But I warrant you know well enough, if would
tell. You shall never persuade me but you knew of
Mr. Oakly's going out to-day.

you

Toil. I wish I may die, ma'am, upon my honour, and I protest to your ladyship I knew nothing in the world of the matter, no more than the child unborn. There is Mr. Paris, my master's gentleman, knows—

Mrs. O. What does he know?

Toil. That I knew nothing at all of the matter.
Mrs. O. Where is Paris? What is he doing?
Toil. He is in my master's room, ma'am.
Mrs. O. Bid him come here.

Toil. Yes, ma'am.

[Exit.

Mrs. O. He is certainly gone after this young flirt. -His confidence and the major's insolence provoke me

beyond expression.

Re-enter TOILET, with PARIS.

Where's your master?

Par. Il est sorti. He is gone out.

Mrs. O. Where is he gone?

Par. Ah, madame, je n'en scai rien. I know nothing of it.

Mrs. O. Nobody knows any thing. Why did not you tell me he was going out?

Par. I dress him-Je ne m'en soucie pas du plusHe go where he will-I have no business with it. Mrs. O. Yes, you should have told me that was your business-and if you don't mind your business better, you shan't stay here, I can tell you, sir. Par. Voila! quelque chose d'extraordinaire!

Mrs. O. Don't stand jabbering and shrugging your shoulders, but go and inquire

word where he is gone.

-go- -and bring me

Par. I don't know what I am do.

Mrs. O. Bid John come to me.

Par. De tout mon cœur.-Jean! ici! Jean!speak, my ladi.

[Exit.

Mrs. O. Impudent fellow! His insolent gravity and indifference is insupportable--Toilet!

Toil. Ma'am!

Mrs. O. Where's John? Why don't he come? Why do you stand with your hands before you? Why don't you fetch him?

Toil. Yes, ma'am, I'll go this minute.John! my lady wants you.

Enter JOHN.

Mrs. O. Where's your master?

John. Gone out, madam.

Mrs. O. Why did not you go with him?

-O here,

John. Because he went out in the major's chariot,

madam.

Mrs. O. Where did they go to?

John. To the major's, I suppose, madam.

Mrs. O. Suppose! Don't you know?

John. I believe so, but can't tell for certain, indeed, madam.

Mrs. O. Believe and suppose!—and don't know, and

E 2