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Bel. I see you will force me to speak out. If there is, unhappily, a flaw in Belinda's reputa

tion

Sir Wil. How?

Bel. This is no time to dissemble. In short, sir, my lady Restless, a worthy lady here in the neighbourhood, has discovered a connection between her and sir John Restless; sir John and lady Restless lived in perfect harmony, till this affair broke out. The peace of the family is now destroyed. The whole is come to the knowledge of my friend Beverley: with tears in his eyes, with a bleeding heart (for he loved Belinda tenderly), he has at last mustered up resolution, and taken his final leave.

Sir Wil. Ay! can this be true?

Bel. It is but too true; I am sorry to report it. And now, sir, judge yourself

Sir Wil. [Looking back.] What, loitering, George?

Bel. I follow you, sir. [Exit SIR WIL.] Clarissa is not gone, I hope?

Tip. Gone, sir! She is writing, and crying, and wiping her eyes, and tearing her paper, and beginning again, and in such a piteous way!

Bel. I must see her: she must come with us. If lady Restless persists in her story, who knows what turn this affair may take? Come, Mrs Tippet, shew me the way. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-The hall in the house of SIR JOHN RESTLESS.

A loud rap at the door; and enter ROBERT. Rob. What a hurry you are in there?—This is my lady, I suppose. Where can she have been? here comes Mr Blandford: 'tis a dreadful scene-Now for more confusion. If she finds Madam Belinda with sir John, we are all blown up again.

Oh !

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to open to him; a terrible story for the ear of a father! You had best take no notice: we need not be accessary to a young lady's ruin it is a family affair, and we may leave them to patch it up among themselves, as well as they can. Sir Wil. If these things are so, why then the case is altered.

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Tip. She is not gone far, sir; just stept out upon a moment's business to sir John Restless. Sir Wil. Gone to sir John Restless! [Aside. Bel. You see, sir.[TO SIR WIL. Bland. I did not think she knew sir John. Sir Wil. Yes, she knows him: she has been acquainted with him for some time past.

Bland. What freak has she got in her head? She is not gone after her Mr Beverley, I hope? Zookers, this has an odd appearance! I don't like it I'll follow her this moment.

Sir Wil. You are right: I'll attend you.Now, George, this will explain every thing. [Aside.]-Come, Mr Blandford, this may be an escape: young birds will wing their flight. Bland. Well, well, say no more: we shall see how it is. Come, sir William: it is but a step. [Exit BLAND.

Bel. [To TIP.] Where is Clarissa?

SIR JOHN. [Peeping in.]

Sir John. Robert, Robert! is that your lady? Rob. Mercy on us! She is coming, I believe, sir.-[Looks out.] I see her chair: it is my lady. Sir John. Don't let her know that Belinda is in the house.

Rob. Not if I can help it. Trust to me, sir. [Exit SIR JOHN.] Here she comes. What has she been about?

A chair is brought into the hall. Lady Rest. [Coming out of the chair.] Is sir John at home?

Rob. I fancy he is, my lady.

Lady Rest. Has any body been with him? Rob. He has been all alone, writing letters in his study: he desired not to be interrupted.

To

Lady Rest. I shall not interrupt him, I promise him. You never will tell me any thing, Robert: I don't care who comes after him. morrow I shall quit this house, and then he may riot in licentious pleasure. If he asks for me, I am not well; I am gone to my own apartment: I hope to see no more of him. [Going.

Chair. Shall your ladyship want the chair any more to-night?

Lady Rest. I don't know what I shall want. Leave the chair there: you may wait.

[Exit LADY REST. Chair. Ay, always a waiting job. [Puts the chair aside. Exeunt Chairman and ROBERT.]

Enter SIR JOHN and BELINDA.

Belin. If you will but permit me to say a word to her Sir John. Excuse me for the present: I beg

you will. Belin. A short interview with lady Restless might clear up all my doubts: what objection can you have? Sir John. A million of objections. You do not

Enter BLANDFord.

know the consequence of being seen in this house. She will interpret every thing her own way. I am unhappy, madam, while you stay.

Belin. There is more cruelty in your refusal than you can imagine. Mr Beverley's character is in question: it is of the last importance to me to know the whole truth.

Bland. Sir John, I am obliged to intrude: I am told my daughter is here.

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Lady Rest. There! He has heard it all! Bland. I have heard that Belinda came to your house on what business, I do not know.— hope, sir John, that you do not harbour the girl disturb the peace and happiness of a father? Sir John. That imputation, sir

Sir John. You know it all, madam. Mr Be-I verley's character is too clear. Proofs thicken, to and grow stronger every hour. Since the visit I paid you this very day, I have made another discovery. I found him lurking here in my house. Belin. Found him here, sir?

Sir John. Found him here. He was lying in ambush for another amorous meeting.

Belin. If there is no mistake in this business Sir John. Mistake! May I trust my own eyes? I saw him; I spoke to him; I taxed him with his guilt. He was concealed in her closet. Does that amount to proof? Her maid Tattle stationed him there. My lady was privy to it: she favoured the stratagem. Are you satisfied now, madam?

Belin. The particulars of this discovery, sir John, may convince me tell me all, sir: you will oblige me.

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Sir John. Enquire no more for the present. You will oblige me, madam. Robert shall see you safe home. I would not have my lady find us together I think I hear her: no, no. In a day or two, the particulars will be known to the wide world. Where is Robert? He shall conduct you home. My peace and happiness require it.

Belin. My peace and happiness are destroyed for ever. If your story be true———

Sir John. It is too true: I wish you a good night. I am miserable while you are here. Robert!

Belin. Deliver me! I am ruined. I hear my father's voice: what brings him hither? I am undone, if he finds me. Let me retire into that

room.

Sir John. That room will not do: you will be seen there.

go up stairs?

[Going.

Belin. Cannot I Sir John. No; I am ruined, if you go that way. Hell and distraction! My lady Restless coming down! Here, madam, here; into that chair. You will be concealed there: nobody will suspect you.

Belin. Any where, sir: put me any where, to avoid this impending storm. [Goes into the chair. Sir John. [Shutting the chair.]-This is lucky. I am safe now. Let my lady come as soon as

she will.

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Lady Rest. He does harbour her.

Sir John. Mr Blandford, I give you my ho

nour

Lady Rest. I know he does. He has ruined your daughter; he has injured you, sir, as well as me, in the most essential point.

Sir John. She raves; she is mad. If you listen to her

Enter SIR WILLIAM and BEVERLEY. Bland. I am glad you are come, sir William. This is more than I expected.

Sir John. And more than I expected. There, madam, there is your favourite again!

Bev. My visit is public, sir. I come to demand, in the presence of this company, an explanation of the mischief you have done me.

Sir John. You need not be so public, sir. The closet is ready for you: Tattle will turn the key, and you will there be very safe.

Lady Rest. How can you persist in such a fallacy? He knows, he perfectly well knows it was an accident; a mere blunder of the servant, entirely unknown to me.

Sir John. She was privy to the whole.

Bland. This is beside my purpose. I came hither in quest of my daughter: a father demands her. Is she here? Is she in the house?

Sir John. In this house, sir? Our families never visited. I am not acquainted with her. Lady Rest. He is acquainted with her. I saw him clasp her in his arms.

Bland. In his arms! When? Where? Tell me all !

Lady Rest. Yes; now let him give an account of himself.

Sir John. When you have accounted for your actions, madam

Lady Rest. Render an account to the lady's father, sir.

Bland. Yes; to her father. Account with me, sir. When, and where, was all this? Lady Rest. This very day; at noon; in the

Park.

Bev. But in the eyes of the whole world: I know Belinda: I can acquit her.

Sir John. And I proclaim her innocence. We can both acquit her.

[Goes up to BEVerley. Lady Rest. You are both in a plot: both combined.

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Bev. You accosted her violently: the harshness of your language overpowered her spirits: she was ready to faint: sir John was passing by: she was going to drop down: sir John assisted her: that is the whole of the story. Injured as I am, I must do justice to Belinda's character.She may treat me with the caprice and pride of insolent beauty; but her virtue claims respect.

Sir John. There now! there! that is the whole of the story.

Lady Rest. The whole of the story! No, sir John: : you shall suppress nothing: you could receive a picture from her.

Sir John. You, madam, could receive a picture; and you, Mr Beverley, could present it. Lady Rest. Mr Beverley, you hear this! Bev. I can justify you, madam. I gave your lady no picture, sir John.

Sir John. She had it in her hand. I saw her print her kisses on it, and in that moment I seized it from her.

Bev. Belinda dropt it in the Park, when she was taken ill: I had just given it to her. Your lady found it there.

Lady Rest. I found it on that very spot.

Bev. There, sir; she found it.

Sir John. I found you locked up in her cabinet; concealed in private.

Lady Rest. But with no bad intent. Sir John. With the worst intent. Bev. Your jealousy, sir John, has fixed an imputation upon me, who have not deserved it: and your suspicions, madam, have fallen, like a blasting mildew, upon a lady, whose name was never before sullied by the breath of calumny.

Sir Will. The affair is clear, as to your daughter, Mr Blandford. I am satisfied; and now we need not intrude any longer upon this family.

Enter BELLMONT and CLARISSA.

Walk in, George, every thing is right: your fears may now go to rest.

Lady Rest. I shall not stay another night in this house. Time will explain every thing. Call my chairmen there. Sir John has it his own way at present.

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Lady Rest. Very well, sir: I must be your prisoner, must I?

Sir John. It is mine to command here. No loose escapes this uight; no assignations; no intrigues, to disgrace me.

Lady Rest. Such inhuman treatment! I am glad there are witnesses of your behaviour. [Walks away.

Bland. I am sorry to see all this confusion; but, since my daughter is not here— Lady Rest. He knows where she is, and so you will find.

Sir John. [Coming forward.]-Your daughter is innocent, sir, I give you my honour. Where should she be in this house? Lady Restless has occasioned all this mischief. She formed a story to palliate her own misconduct. To her various artifices, you are a stranger; but, in a few days, you may depend

Lady Rest. [Aside, as she goes towards the chair. He shall find that I am not to be detained here.

[Makes signs to the chairmen to hold up. Sir John. I say, gentlemen, you may depend that I have full proof, and in a little time every thing will

[The chair is opened, and BELINDA comes out. Lady Rest. Who has proof now? There, there! In his house all the time!

see.

Bland. What do I see?
Bev. Belinda here!

Sir Wil. So, so! There is something in it, I

Sir John. Distraction! this is unlucky. Lady Rest. What say you now, Mr Beverley? Now, Mr Blandford! there; ocular demonstration for you!

Sir Wil. George, take Clarissa as soon as you will. Mr Blandford, you will excuse me, if I now decline any further treaty with you.

Bland. This abrupt behaviour, sir William

Sir Wil. I am satisfied, sir. I am resolved. Clarissa, you have my approbation: my son is at your service. Here, George, take her, and be happy.

Bel. [Taking her hand.] To you, from this moment, I dedicate all my future days.

Bland. Very well: take your own way. I can still protect my daughter.

Bev. And she deserves your protection: my dear Belinda, explain all this: I know it is in

your power.

Belin. This generous behaviour, sir, recalls me to new life. You, I am now convinced, have been accused by my lady Restless without foundation. Whatever turn her ladyship's unhappy self-tor

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Lady Rest. Mighty fine! what brought you to this house?

Belin. To be a witness of your folly, madam, and sir John's into the bargain.

Bel. That I can vouch: sir John can fill his mind with vain chimæras, with as apt a disposition as his lady. Beverley has been represented in the falsest colours

Lady Rest. That I admit: sir John invented the story.

Bev. And Belinda, madam, has been cruelly slandered by you.

Sir John. She has so: that I admit. Belin. And my design to see all this cleared up, brought me to this house, madam. Now, you see what has made all this confusion.

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[Looking pleased at him. Bev. Now, I don't believe that. [Kisses her cheek.] Do you hate me, Belinda ?

Belin. How could you let an extravagance of temper get the better of you? You know the sincerity of my affection. Oh, Mr Beverley, was it not ungenerous?

Bev, It was; I own it; on my knees, I own

Lady Rest. Oh! I expected these airs. You it. may discuss the point where you please: I will Belin. [Laughing.] Oh, proud man! have I hear no more upon the subject. humbled you? Since you submit to my will and [Exit LADY RESTLESS. pleasure, I think I can forgive you. Beg my picBland. Madam, the subject must be settled. ture back this moment. [Shews it him. [Follows her. Bev. [Taking the picture.] I shall adore it Sir John. You have a right to insist upon it.- ever, and heal this breach with uninterrupted The whole shall be explained in a moment, Sir love. William, you are a dispassionate man. Give us [Exit.

your assistance.

Sir Wil. With all my heart. George, you are no longer concerned in this business, and I am glad of it. [Exit with young BELLMONT. Cla. [To BEVERLEY.] Now, brother, now is your time: : your difficulties are all removed.Sir John suspected you without reason: my lady Restless did the same to Belinda: you are both in love, and now may do each other justice. I can satisfy my Lady Restless and your father. [Exit. Bev. [Aside.] I see, I see my rashness. Belin. [Aside.] I have been terribly deceived. Bev. If she would but forgive my folly. Belin. Why does not he open his mind to me? I can't speak first.

Bev. What apology can I make her?linda!

Belin. Charming! he begins.

-Be

[Aside, and smiling. Bev. [Approaching.] Belinda !-no answer?

Belinda!

Enter SIR JOHN, LADY RESTLESS, SIR WIL-
LIAM, BLANDFORD, BELLMONT, and CLA-

RISSA.

Sir John. [Laughing.] Why, yes; it is very clear. I can now laugh at my own folly, and my wife's, too.

Lady Rest. There has been something of a mistake, I believe.

Bev. You see, sir John, what your suspicions are come to. I never was within your doors before this day; nor should I, perhaps, have had the honour of speaking to your lady, had it not been for the misunderstanding your mutual jealousies occasioned between Belinda and me.

Bland. And your ladyship has been ingenious enough to work out of those whimsical circumstances a charge against my daughter.Ha, ha!

Sir John. It is ever her way, sir. I told you, my dear, that you would make yourself very ridiculous.

Lady Rest. I fancy, sir, you have not been be[Smiles aside.hind-hand with me. Ha, ha, ha!

Belin. Mr Beverley! Bev. Don't you think you have been very cruel to me, Belinda?

[Advancing towards her. Belin. Don't you think you have been barbarous to me? [Without looking at him. Bev. I have: I grant it. Can you find in your heart to forgive me?

Belin. [Without looking at him.] You have kept me on the rack this whole day, and can you wonder that I feel myself unhappy?

Bev. I am to blame: I acknowledge it. If
VOL. II.

Sir Wil. And now, Mr Blandford, I think we may as well let the match go on as we at first intended.

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Bland. I do insist. Lady Rest. If Beverley accepts of her, all my suspicions are at an end. [Aside. Bev. Thus, let me take the bright reward of all my wishes. [Takes her hand. Belin. Since it is over, you have used your authority, sir, to make me happy, indeed. We have both seen our error, and frankly confess that we have been in the wrong, too.

Sir Wil. Why, we have all been in the wrong, I think.

Sir John. It has been a day of mistakes, but of fortunate ones, conducing at least to the advantage of all parties. My lady Restless will now be taught

Lady Rest. Sir John, I hope you will be taught

Bland. Never mention what is past. The wrangling of married people about unlucky questions that break out between them, is like the

lashing of a top: it only serves to keep it up the longer.

Sir John. Very true: and since we have been ALL IN THE WRONG TO-DAY, we will, for the future, endeavour to be ALL IN THE RIGHT.

Bev. A fair proposal, sir John: we will make it our business, both you, who are married, and we, who are now entering into that state, by mutual confidence to ensure mutual happiness.

The God of Love thinks we profane his fire,
When trifles, light as air, mistrust inspire.
But where esteem and generous passions spring,
There reigns secure, and waves his purple
wing;

Gives home-felt peace; prevents the nuptial strife;

Endears the bliss, and bids it last for life.

[Exeunt omnes.

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