Love. Would to Heaven, sir, you would provide her one of my recommendation! Ster. Yourself! eh, Lovewell? Love. With your pleasure, sir. Ster. Mighty well! and these he thinks his money will purchase.- : Love. And I flatter myself, that such a proposal would not be very disagreeable to Miss sir Ster. Better and better! Love. And if I could but obtain your consent, Ster. What you marry Fanny !-no-nothat will never do, Lovewell !—You're a good boy, to be sure-I have a great value for youbut can't think of you for a son-in-law.-There's no stuff in the case; no money, Lovewell! Fan. But if they are made acquainted with it otherwise than by ourselves, it will be ten times worse and a discovery grows every day more probable. The whole family have long suspected our affection. We are also in the power of a foolish maid-servant; and if we may even depend on her fidelity, we cannot answer for her discretion.-Discover it therefore, immediately, lest some accident should bring it to light, and in-dour, sufficient to keep us above distress.-Add volve us in additional disgrace. Love. Well-well-I mean to discover it soon, but would not do it too precipitately. I have more than once sounded Mr Sterling about it, and will attempt him more seriously the next opportunity. But my principal hopes are these: My relationship to lord Ogleby, and his having placed me with your father, have been, you know, the first links in the chain of this connection between the two families; in consequence of which, I am at present in high favour with all parties. While they all remain thus well affected to me, I propose to lay our case before the old lord; and, if I can prevail on him to mediate in this affair, I make no doubt but he will be able to appease your father; and, being a lord, and a man of quality, I am sure he may bring Mrs Heidelberg into good humour at any time. Let me beg you, therefore, to have but a little patience, as, you see, we are upon the very eve of a discovery, that must probably be to our advantage. Fan. Manage it your own way. I am per suaded. Love. But, in the mean time, make yourself easy. Love. My pretensions to fortune, indeed, are but moderate; but, though not equal to splen to which, that I hope, by diligence, to increase it and have love, honour Ster. But not the stuff, Lovewell!—Add one little round 0 to the sum total of your fortune, and that will be the finest thing you can say to me. You know I've a regard for you—would do any thing to serve you-any thing on the footing of friendship-but Love. If you think me worthy of your friendship, sir, be assured, that there is no instance in which I should rate your friendship so highly. Ster. Psha! psha! that's another thing, you know. Where money or interest is concerned, friendship is quite out of the question. Love. But where the happiness of a daughter is at stake, you would not scruple, sure, to sacrifice a little to her inclinations? Ster. Inclinations! why, you would not persuade me that the girl is in love with you-eh, Lovewell? Love. I cannot absolutely answer for Miss Fanny, sir; but am sure that the chief happiness or misery of my life depends entirely upon her. Ster. Why, indeed, now, if your kinsman, lord Ogleby, would come down handsomely for you Fun. As easy as I can, I will. We had bet--but that's impossible-No, no-'twill never do ter not remain together any longer at present. Think of this business, and let me know how you proceed. Love. Depend on my care! But, pray, be cheerful. Fan. I will. As she is going out, enter STERLING. Ster. Hey day! who have we got here? Fan. [Confused.] Mr Lovewell, sir! Ster. And where are you going, hussy? Fan. To my sister's chamber, sir. [Erit FAN. Ster. Ah, Lovewell! What! always getting my foolish girl, yonder, into a corner?-Well-❘ well-let us but once see her eldest sister fast married to sir John Melvil, we'll soon provide ? good husband for Fanny, I warrant you. I must hear no more of this-Come, Lovewell, promise me that I shall hear no more of this. Love. [Hesitating,] I am afraid, sir, I should not be able to keep my word with you, if I did promise you. Ster. Why, you would not offer to marry her without my consent! would you, Lovewell? Love. Marry her, sir! [Confused. Ster. Ay, marry her, sir!-I know very well that a warm speech or two from such a dange rous young spark as you are, would go much farther towards persuading a silly girl to do what she has more than a month's mind to do, than twenty grave lectures from fathers or mothers, or uncles or aunts, to prevent her. But you would not, sure, be such a base fellow, such a Love. They are, sir. Ster. And how are stocks? Love. Fell one and a half this morning. Ster. Well, well-some good news from America, and they'll be up again.--But how are lord Ogleby and sir John Melvil? When are we to expect them? my Love. Very soon, sir. I came on purpose to bring you their commands. Here are letters from [Giving letters. both of them. Ster. Let me see-let me see-'Slife, how his breath lordship's letter is perfumed !—It takes away. [Opening it.] And French paper, too! with a fine border of flowers and flourishes-and a My slippery gloss on it that dazzles one's eyes. dear Mr Sterling.' [Reading.] Mercy on me! his lordship writes a worse hand than a boy at his exercise.- -But how's this?-Eh!-'with you to night-Reading.]- Lawyers to morrow morning-To night!—that's sudden, indeedWhere's my sister Heidelberg? she should know Here, John! Harry! of this immediately. Thomas! [Calling the servants.] Hark ye, Lovewell! Love. Sir! Ster. Mind now, how I'll entertain his lordship and sir John-We'll shew your fellows at the other end of the town how we live in the city-They shall eat gold-and drink gold-and lie in gold, Here, cook! butler! [Calling.] What signifies your birth, and education, and titles! -Money, money!--that's the stuff that makes the great man in this country. Loce. Very true, sir. Ster. True, sir!--Why, then, have done with your nonsense of love and matrimony. You're not rich enough to think of a wife yet. A man of business should mind nothing but his business. Where are these fellows?--John! Thomas! [Calling.]-Get an estate, and a wife will folLow of course.- -Ah, Lovewell! an English mer 835 chant is the most respectable character in the I Love. So---as I suspected.-What's best to be the match, and likely to receive the news of it with great displeasure.done?Let me see !---Suppose I get sir John Melvil to interest himself in this affair. He may mention it to lord Ogleby with a better grace than can, and more probably prevail on him to interfere in it. I can open my mind also more freely to sir John. He told me, when I left him in town, that he had something of consequence to communicate, and that I could be of use to him. I am glad of it: for the confidence he reposes in me, and the service I may do him, will ensure me his good offices.--Poor Fanny! It hurts me to see her so uneasy, and her making a mystery of the cause adds to my anxiety.---Something must be done upon her account; for, at all events, her solicitude shall be removed. [Erit. SCENE II.-Changes to another apartment. Enter MISS STERLING and MISS FANNY. Fan. Indeed, sister, you have no cause. me? Fan. Not in the least. Miss Ster. And you don't in the least wish that you was just in my situation? Fun. No, indeed, I don't. Why should I? Miss Ster. Why should you! What! on the brink of marriage, fortune, title! But I had forYou would not break your got-There's that dear sweet creature, Mr Lovewell, in the case. faith with your true love now, for the world, I warrant you. Fan. Mr Lovewell!-Always Mr Lovewell! Lord, what signifies Mr Lovewell, sister? Miss Ster. Pretty peevish soul! Oh, my dear, grave, romantic sister!-A perfect philosopher in petticoats!-Love and a cottage !-Eh, Fanny? six! -Ah, give me indifference, and a coach and Fan. And why not the coach and six, without the indifference? But, pray, when is this happy marriage of yours to be celebrated? I long to give you joy. Miss Ster. In a day or two-I cannot tell exactly-Oh, my dear sister! I must mortify her a little.-[Aside.]---I know you have a pretty taste. Pray, give me your opinion of my jewels. How [Shewing jewels, do you like the style of this esclavage? Fan. Extremely handsome, indeed; and well fancied. you call in at lady Thunder's? In the immensity of crowd, I swear I did not see you-scarce a soul at the opera last Saturday-shall I see you at Carlisle house next Thursday?—Oh, the dear beau monde! I was born to move in the sphere of the great world. Miss Ster. What d'ye think of these bracelets? I shall have a miniature of my father set round with diamonds, to one, and sir John's to the other. And this pair of ear-rings! set transparent! here, the tops, you see, will shake off to wear in a morning, or in an undress-how d'ye like them? [Shews jewels. Fan. Very much, I assure you-Bless me, sister, you have a prodigious quantity of jewels!-pity. You would not change conditions with You'll be the very queen of diamonds! Miss Ster. Ha, ha, ha! Very well, my dear! I shall be as fine as a little queen, indeed. I have a bouquet to come home to-morrow-made up of diamonds, and rubies, and emeralds, and topazes, and amethysts-jewels of all colours, green, red, blue, yellow, intermixt—the prettiest thing you ever saw in your life! The jeweller says, I shall set out with as many diamonds as any body in town, except lady Brilliant, and Polly What-d'ye call it, lord Squander's kept mis tress. Fan. But what are your wedding-clothes, sister? Fan. And so, in the midst of all this happiness, you have no compassion for me-no pity for us poor mortals in common life. Miss Ster. [Affectedly.]-You? You're above me. You're over head and ears in love, you know. Nay, for that matter, if Mr Lovewell and you come together, as I doubt not you will, you will live very comfortably, I dare say. He will mind his business-you'll employ yourself in the delightful care of your family-and once in a season, perhaps, you'll sit together in a front box at a benefit play, as we used to do at our dancingmaster's, you know-and, perhaps, I may meet you in the summer, with some other citizens, at Tunbridge. For my part, I shall always entertain a proper regard for my relations. You shan't want my countenance, I assure you. Fan. Oh, you're too kind, sister! I Enter MRS HEIdelberg. Miss Ster. Oh, white and silver, to be sure, you know. I bought them at sir Joseph Lutestring's, and sat above an hour in the parlour be- Mrs Heid. [At entering.]-Here this evening! hind the shop, consulting lady Lutestring about vow and protest we shall scarce have time to gold and silver stuffs, on purpose to mortify her. provide for them-Oh, my dear!--[To MISS Fan. Fie, sister! How could you be so abo-STER.]-I am glad to see you're not quite in a minably provoking? Miss Ster. Oh, I have no patience with the pride of your city-knights' ladies. Did you ever observe the airs of lady Lutestring, drest in the richest brocade out of her husband's shop, play ing crown whist at Haberdasher's Hali-Whilst the civil smirking sir Joseph, with a snug wig trimmed round his broad face, as close as a newcut yew-hedge, and his shoes so black that they shine again, stands all day in his shop, fastened to his counter like a bad shilling! dishabille. Lord Ogleby and sir John Melvil will be here to-night. Miss Ster. To-night, madam? Mrs Heid. Yes, my dear, to-night. Oh, put on a smarter cap, and change those ordinary ruffles!-Lord, I have such a deal to do, I shall scarce have time to slip on my Italian lutestring. Where is this dawdle of a house-keeper? Enter MRS TRUSTY. Trus. Yes, madam. Oh, here, Trusty! Do you know that people of Fan. Indeed, indeed, sister, this is too much-qualaty are expected here this evening? If you talk at this rate, you will be absolutely a by-word in the city-You must never venture on the inside of Temple-bar again. Miss Ster. Never do I desire it-never, my dear Fanny, I promise you. Oh, how I long to be transported to the dear regions of Grosvenorsquare-far-far from the dull districts of Al- | dersgate, Cheap, Candlewick, and Farringdon Without and Within!-My heart goes pit-a-pat at the very idea of being introduced at court! Gilt chariot!--Pyebald horses !—Laced liveries!--and then the whispers buzzing round the circle- Who is that young lady? Who is she? -Lady Melvil, madam-Lady Melvil! My ears tingle at the sound. And then at dinner, instead of my father perpetually asking- Any news upon 'ChangeTo cry- Well, sir John, any thing new from Arthur's?'-Or, to say to some other woman of quality—' Was your ladyship at the duchess of Rubber's last night? Did Mrs Heid. Well-Do you be sure, now, that every thing is done in the most genteelest manner-and to the honour of the famaly. Trus. Yes, madam. Mrs Heid. Well-but mind what I say to you. Trus. Yes, madam. Mrs Heid. His lordship is to lie in the chintz bed-chamber---d've hear? and sir John in the blue damask-room---his lordship's valet-de-shamb in the opposite Trus. But Mr Lovewell is come down-and you know that's his room, madam. Mrs Heid. Well-well-Mr Lovewell may make shift---or get a bed at the George. But hark ye, Trusty! Trus. Madam! Mrs Heid. Get the great dining-room in or der, as soon as possable. Unpaper the curtains; take the civers off the couch and the chairs; and put the china figures on the mantle piece immediately. Trus. Yes, madam. Mrs Heid. Be gone, then! Fly, this instant! Where's my brother Sterling? Trus. Talking to the butler, madam. Mrs Heid. Very well.[Exit TRUSTY.] Miss Fauny! I pertest I did not see you before -Lord, child, what's the matter with you? Fan With me! Nothing, madam. Mrs Heid. Bless me! Why, your face is as pale, and black, and yellow-of fifty colours, I pertest. And then you have drest yourself as loose and as big--I declare there is not such a thing to be seen now, as a young woman with a fine waist-You all make yourselves as round as Mrs Deputy Barter. Go, child! You know the qualaty will be here by and by. Go, and make yourself a little more fit to be seen.-[Erit FANNY.-She is gone away in tears---absolutely crying, I vow and pertest. This ridicalous love! We must put a stop to it. It makes a perfect nataral of the girl. Miss Ster. Poor soul! She cannot help it. [Affectedly. Mrs Heid. Well, my dear! Now I shall have an opportoonity of convincing you of the absurdity of what you was telling me concerning sir John's Melvil's behaviour to you. Miss Ster. Oh, it gives me no manner of uneasiness. But, indeed, madam, I cannot be persuaded but that sir John is an extremely cold lover. Such distant civility, grave looks, and lukewarm professions of esteem for me and the whole family! I have heard of flames and darts; but sir John's is a passion of mere ice and snow. Mrs Heid. Oh fie, my dear! I am perfectly ashamed of you. That's so like the notions of your poor sister! What you complain of as coldness and indiffarence, is nothing but the extreme gentilaty of his address, an exact pictur of the manners of qualaty. Miss Ster. Oh, he is the very mirror of complaisance! full of formal bows and set speeches! I declare, if there was any violent passion on my side, I should be quite jealous of him. Mrs Heid. I say, jealus indeed-Jealus of who, pray? Miss Ster. My sister Fanny. She seems a much greater favourite than I am, and he pays her infinitely more attention, I assure you. Mrs Heid. Lord! d'ye think a man of fashion, as he is, cannot distinguish between the genteel and the vulgar part of the famaly?between you and your sister, for instance-or me and my brother? Be advised by me, child! It is all puliteness and good-breeding. Nobody knows the qualaty better than I do. Miss Ster. In my mind, the old lord, his uncle, | has ten times more gallantry about him than sir John. He is full of attentions to the ladies, and smiles, and grins, and leers, and ogles, and fills every wrinkle of his old wizen face with comical expressions of tenderness. I think he would make an admirable sweetheart. Enter STERLING. Ster. [At entering.] No fish?-Why, the pond was dragged but yesterday morning-There's carp and tench in the boat.- -Pox on't! if that dog Lovewell had any thought, he would have brought down a turbot, or some of the land-carriage mackrell. Mrs Heid. Lord, brother, I am afraid his lordship and sir John will not arrive while it is light! Ster. I warrant you.- -But, pray, sister Heidelberg, let the turtle be dressed to-morrow, and some venison-and let the gardener cut some pine-apples-and get out some ice.I'll answer for wine, I warrant you-I'll give them such a glass of champagne as they never drank in their lives-no, not at a duke's table. Mrs Heid. Pray now, brother, mind how you behave. I am always in a fright about you with people of qualaty. Take care that you don't fall asleep directly after supper, as you commonly do. Take a good deal of snuff, and that will keep you awake-And don't burst out with your horrible loud horse laughs. It is monstrous wulgar. Ster. Never fear, sister!--Who have we here? Mrs Heid. It is Mons. Cautoon, the Swish gentleman, that lives with his lordship, I vow and pertest. Enter CANTON. Ster. Ah, mounseer! your servant. I am very glad to see you, mounseer. Can. Mosh oblige to Mons. Sterling.—Ma'am, I am yours-Matemoiselle, I am yours. [Bowing round. Mrs Heid. Your humble servant, Mr Cantoon! Can. I kiss your hands, matam! Ster. Well, mounseer!--and what news of your good family?—when are we to see his lordship and sir John? Can. Mons. Sterling! Milor Ogleby and sir Jean Melville will be here in one quarter-hour. Ster. I am glad to hear it. Mrs Heid. O, I am perdigious glad to hear it. Being so late, I was afread of some accident.— Will you please to have any thing, Mr Cantoon, after your journey? Can. No, I tank you, ma'am. Mrs Heid. Shall I go and shew you the apartments, sir? Can. You do me great honeur, ma'am. Mrs Heid. Come, then!-come, my dear! [To MISS STERLING.-Exeunt. Ster. Pox on't, its almost dark!—It will be too late to go round the garden this evening.-However, I will carry them to take a peep at my fine canal at least, I am determined. [Exit. ACT II. SCENE I.—An anti-chamber to LORD OGLEBY'S | and charmingly perfumed-it smells for all the bed-chamber. Table with chocolate, and small case for medicines. it. Enter BRUSH, my lord's valet-de-chambre, and Brush. You shall stay, my dear; I insist upon Cham. Nay, pray, sir, don't be so positive; I cannot stay, indeed. Brush. You shall drink one cup to our better acquaintance. Cham. I seldom drinks chocolate; and, if I did, one has no satisfaction with such apprehensions about one-If my lord should wake, or the Swish gentleman should see one, or madam Heidelberg should know of it, I should be frighted to death; besides, I have had my tea already this morning.-I am sure I hear my lord! [In a fright. Brush. No, no, madam; don't flutter yourself -the moment my lord wakes, he rings his bell; which I answer, sooner or later, as it suits my convenience. world like our young ladies' dressing-boxes. Brush. You have an excellent taste, madam; and I must beg of you to accept of a few cakes for your own drinking, [Takes them out of a drawer in the table.] and, in return, I desire nothing but to taste the perfume of your lips.[Kisses her.] A small return of favours, madam, will make, I hope, this country and retirement agreeable to us both. [He bows, she curtsies.]— Your young ladies are fine girls, faith: [Sips.] though, upon my soul, I am quite of my old lord's mind about them; and, were I inclined to matrimony, I should take the youngest. [Sips. Cham. Miss Fanny's the most affablest, and the most best natured creter! so Brush. And the eldest a little haughty or Cham. More haughtier and prouder than Saturn himself but this I say quite confidential to you; for one would not hurt a young lady's marriage, you know. [Sips Brush. By no means; but you cannot hurt it with uswe don't consider tempers; we want money, Mrs Nancy. Give us plenty of that, we'll abate you a great deal in other particulars, Cham. But should he come upon us without ringingBrush. I'll forgive him if he does-This keyha, ha, ha! a phial out of the case.] locks him up till please to let him out. Takes Cham. Bless me, here's somebody! [Bell rings.] Cham. Law! sir, that's pothecary's stuff. Brush. It is so-but without this he can no more get out of bed-than he can read without spectacles-[Sips.] What with qualms, age, rheu-drink matisms, and a few surfeits in his youth, he must have a great deal of brushing, oiling, screwing, and winding up, to set him a-going for the day. Cham. [Sips.] That's prodigious, indeed [Sips.] My lord seems quite in a decay. -but never mind the bell I shan't go this half hour. Will you tea with me in the afternoon? Cham. Not for the world, Mr Brush-I'll be here to set all things to rights————————But I must not drink tea, indeed- -and so your servant. [Exit with tea-board. Bell rings. Brush. It is impossible to stupify one's self in the country for a week, without some little flirting Brush. Yes, he is quite a spectacle, [Sips.]—with the Abigails: this is much the handsomest a mere corpse, till he is revived and refreshed wench in the house, except the old citizen's youngfrom our little magazine here-When the resto-est daughter, and I have not time enough to lay rative pills, and cordial waters warm his stomach, a plan for her. [Bell rings.] Aud now I'll go to and get into his head, vanity frisks in his heart; my lord, for I have nothing else to do. and then he sets up for the lover, the rake, and the fine gentleman. Cham. [Sips.] Poor gentleman! but should the Swish gentleman come upon us. [Going. Enter CANTON, with newspapers in his hand. Can. Monsieur Brush! Maistre Brush! my lor stirra yet? Brush. He has just ruug his bell- -I am going to him. [Frightened. Brush. Why, then, the English gentleman would be very angry. No foreigner must break [Erit. in upon my privacy. [Sips.] But I can assure you Can. Depechez vous donc. [Puts on his specMonsieur Canton is otherwise employed-He is tacles.] I wish de deveil had all dese papiers obliged to skim the cream of half a score news- I forget as fast as I read- -de Advertise put papers for my lord's breakfast-ha, ha! Pray, out of my head de Gazette, de Chronique, and madam, drink your cup peaceably-My lord's so dey all go l'un aprés l'autre―I must get chocolate is remarkably good; he won't touch a some nouvelle for my lor, or he'll be enragé condrop, but what comes from Italy. tre moi. Voyons! [Reads the paper.] Here is nothing but Anti-sejanus & advertise Cham. [Sipping.] 'Tis very fine, indeed! [Sips.] |