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knight, I must confess. I have heard of his apostasy. Miss Fanny has informed me of it. Miss Ster. Miss Fanny's baseness has been the cause of sir John's inconstancy.

Lord Ogle. Nay, now, my dear Miss Sterling, your passion transports you too far. Sir John may have entertained a passion for Miss Fanny; but, believe me, my dear Miss Sterling, believe me, Miss Fanny has no passion for sir John. She has a passion, indeed, a most tender passion. She has opened her whole soul to me, and I know where her affections are placed.

[Conceitedly. Miss Ster. Not upon Mr Lovewell, my lord; for I have great reason to think that her seeming attachment to him, is, by his consent, made use of as a blind to cover her designs upon sir John. Lord Ogle. Lovewell! No, poor lad! she does not think of him.

[Smiling.

Miss Ster. Have a care, my lord, that both the families are not made the dupes of sir John's artifice, and my sister's dissimulation! You don't know her; indeed, my lord, you don't know her; a base, insinuating, perfidious-It is too much She has been beforehand with me, I perceive. Such unnatural behaviour to me! But since I see I can have no redress, I am resolved that some way or other I will have revenge.

[Exit.

Ster. This is foolish work, my lord! Lord Ogle. I have too much sensibility to bear the tears of beauty.

Ster. It is touching, indeed, my lord; and very moving for a father.

Lord Ogle. To be sure, sir! You must be distressed beyond measure! Wherefore, to divert your too exquisite feeling, suppose we change the subject, and proceed to business.

Ster. With all my heart, my lord.

Lord Ogle. You see, Mr Sterling, we can make no union in our families by the proposed marriage. Ster. And I am very sorry to see it, my lord. Lord Ogle. Have you set your heart upon being allied to our house, Mr Sterling?

Ster. Tis my only wish at present, my omnium, as I may call it.

Lord Ogle. Your wishes shall be fulfilled.
Ster. Shall they, my lord! but how-how?
Lord Ogle. I'll marry in your family.
Ster. What! my sister Heidelberg?

Lord Ogle. You throw me into a cold sweat, Mr Sterling! No, not your sister; but your daughter.

Ster. My daughter!

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Lord Ogle. Mr Sterling, this may be city wit, for aught I know. Do you court my alliance? Ster. To be sure, my lord.

Lord Ogle. Then I'll explain-My nephew won't marry your eldest daughter: nor I neither Your youngest daughter won't marry him: I will marry your youngest daughter. Ster. What! with a youngest daughter's fortune, my lord?

Lord Ogle. With any fortune, or no fortune at all, sir. Love is the idol of my heart, and the demon, Interest, sinks before him. So, sir, as I said before, I will marry your youngest daughter; your youngest daughter will marry me. Ster. Who told you so, my lord? Lord Ogle. Her own sweet self, sir. Ster. Indeed!

Lord Ogle. Yes, sir; our affection is mutual; your advantage double and treble; your daughter will be a countess directly-I shall be the happiest of beings; and you'll be father to an earl instead of a baronet.

Ster. But what will my sister say? and my daughter?

Lord Ogle. I'll manage that matter; nay, if they won't consent, I'll run away with your daughter in spite of you.

Ster. Well said, my lord! your spirit's good; I wish you had my constitution! but if you'll venture, I have no objection, if my sister has none.

Lord Ogle. I'll answer for your sister, sirApropos! the lawyers are in the house. I'll have articles drawn, and the whole affair concluded to-morrow morning.

Ster. Very well! and I'll dispatch Lovewell to London immediately for some fresh papers I shall want, and I shall leave you to manage matters with my sister. You must excuse me, my lord, but I can't help laughing at the matchHe, he, he! what will the folks say?

[Erit.

Lord Ogle. What a fellow am I going to make a father of? He has no more feeling than the post in his warehouse-But Fanny's virtues tune me to rapture again, and I won't think of the rest of the family.

Enter LOVEWELL, hastily.

Love. I beg your lordship's pardon, my lord: are you alone, my lord?

Lord Ogle. No, my lord, I am not alone; I am in company, the best company.

Love. My lord!

Lord Ogle. I never was in such exquisite enchanting company since my heart first conceived, or my senses tasted pleasure.

Love. Where are they, my lord? [Looking about.

Lord Ogle. In my mind, sir.

Love. What company have you there, my lord?

Love. Marry her!-What do you mean, my [Smiling. lord!

Lord Ogle. My own ideas, sir, which so crowd Lord Ogle. Miss Fanny Sterling that is; the upon my imagination, and kindle in it such a de-countess of Ogleby that shall be.

lirium of ecstacy, that wit, wine, music, poetry, all combined, and each perfection, are but mere mortal shadows of my felicity.

Love. I see that your lordship is happy, and I rejoice at it.

Lord Ogle. You shall rejoice at it, sir; my felicity shall not selfishly be confined, but shall spread its influence to the whole circle of my friends. I need not say, Lovewell, that you shall have your share of it.

Love. Shall I, my lord?-Then I understand you; you have heard-Miss Fanny has informed

you

Lord Ogle. She has; I have heard, and she shall be happy; 'tis determined.

Love. Then I have reached the summit of my wishes. And will your lordship pardon the folly? Lord Ogle. O yes; poor creature, how could she help it? Twas unavoidable-Fate and necessity.

Love. It was, indeed, my lord. Your kindness distracts me.

Lord Ogle. And so did the poor girl, faith! Love. She trembled to disclose the secret, and declare her affections?

Lord Ogle. The world, I believe, will not think her affections ill placed.

Love. [Bowing.] You are too good, my lord. And do you really excuse the rashness of the action?

Lord Ogle. From my very soul, Lovewell. Love. Your generosity overpowers me. [Bowing.] I was afraid of her meeting with a cold reception.

Lord Ogle. More fool you, then. Who pleads her cause with never-failing beauty, [Strikes his breast.

'Here finds a full redress.'

She's a fine girl, Lovewell.

Love. Her beauty, my lord, is her least merit. She has an understanding

Lord Ogle. Her choice convinces me of that. Love. [Bowing.] That's your lordship's goodness. Her choice was a disinterested one.

Lord Ogle. No, no; not altogether; it began with interest, and ended in passion.

Love. Indeed, my lord, if you were acquainted

Love. I am astonished!

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Lord Ogle. What's the matter, Lovewell? thou seem'st to have lost thy faculties! Why don't you wish me joy, man?

Love. O, I do, my lord.

[Sighs. Lord Ogle. She said that you would explain what she had not power to utter; but I wanted no interpreter for the language of love.

Love. But has your lordship considered the consequences of your resolution!

Lord Ogle. No, sir, I am above consideration, when my desires are kindled.

Love. But, consider the consequences, my lord, to your nephew, sir John.

Lord Ogle. Sir John has considered no consequences himself, Mr Lovewell.

Love. Mr Sterling, my lord, will certainly refuse his daughter to sir John.

Lord Ogle. Sir John has already refused Mr Sterling's daughter.

Love. But what will become of Miss Sterling, my lord? -You may

Lord Ogle. What's that to you?have her, if you will. I depend upon Mr Sterling's city-philosophy, to be reconciled to lord Ogleby's being his son-in-law, instead of sir John Melvil, baronet. Don't you think that your master may be brought to that, without having recourse to his calculations! Eh, Lovewell?

Love. But, my lord, that is not the question. Lord Ogle. Whatever is the question, I'll tell you my answer.I am in love with a fine girl, whom I resolve to marry.

Enter SIR JOHN MELVIL.

with her goodness of heart, and generosity of What news with you, sir John?-You look all mind, as well as you are acquainted with the in-hurry and impatience-like a messenger after a ferior beauties of her face and person

Lord Ogle. I am so perfectly convinced of their existence, and so totally of your mind, touching every amiable particular of that sweet girl, that, were it not for the cold unfeeling impediments of the law, I would marry her to-morrow morning.

Love. My lord!

battle.

Sir John. After a battle, indeed, my lord! I have this day had a severe engagement, and, wanting your lordship as an auxiliary, I have at last mustered up resolution to declare what my duty to you and to myself have demanded from me some time.

Lord Ogle. To the business, then, and be as Lord Ogle. I would, by all that's honourable in concise as possible, for I am upon the wing-eh, man, and amiable in woman.

Lovewell? [He smiles, and LovEWELL bows.

Sir John. I find 'tis in vain, my lord, to struggle against the force of inclination.

Lord Ogle. Very true, nephew; I am your witness, and will second the motion-shan't I, Lovewell? [Smiles, and LOVEWELL bows. Sir John. Your lordship's generosity encourages me to tell you, that I cannot marry Miss Sterling.

Lord Ogle. I am not at all surprised at it— she's a bitter potion, that's the truth of it; but as you were to swallow it, and not I, it was your business, and not mine-Any thing more?

Sir John. But this, my lord; that I may be permitted to make my addresses to the other sister.

Lord Ogle. O yes; by all means- -have you any hopes there, nephew?—Do you think he'll succeed, Lovewell?

[Smiles, and winks at LovEWELL. Love. I think not, my lord. [Gravely. Lord Ogle. I think so, too; but let the fool try.

Sir John. Will your lordship favour me with your good offices to remove the chief obstacle to the match, the repugnance of Mrs Heidelberg?

Lord Ogle. Mrs Heidelberg! Had not you better begin with the young lady first? It will save you a great deal of trouble: won't it, Lovewell? [Smiles.] But do what you please, it will be the

same thing to me: won't it, Lovewell? [Conceitedly.] Why don't you laugh at him? Love. I do, my lord.

[Forces a smile. Sir John. And your lordship will endeavour to prevail on Mrs Heidelberg to consent to my marriage with Miss Fanny?

Lord Ogle. I'll speak to Mrs Heidelberg about the adorable Fanny as soon as possible.

Sir John. Your generosity transports me! Lord Ogle. Poor fellow, what a dupe! be little thinks who's in possession of the town.

[Aside.

Sir John. And your lordship is not in the least offended at this seeming inconstancy?

Lord Ogle. Not in the least. Miss Fanny's charms will even excuse infidelity. I look upon women as the fera natura-lawful game-and every man who is qualified, has a natural right to pursue them;-Lovewell as well as you, and I as well as either of you. Every man shall do his best, without offence to anywhat say you, kinsmen?

Sir John. You have made me happy, my lord. Love. And me, I assure you, my lord!

Lord Ogle. And I am superlatively so-allons donc ! to horse and away, boys!—you to your affairs, and I to mine suivons l'amour. [Sings. [Exeunt severally.

ACT V.

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Fan. WHY did you come so soon, Mr Lovewell? the family is not yet in bed, and Betty certainly heard somebody listening near the chamberdoor.

Bet. My mistress is right, sir! evil spirits are abroad; and I am sure you are both too good, not to expect mischief from them.

Love. But who can be so curious, or so wicked?

Bet. I think we have wickedness and curiosity enough in this family, sir, to expect the worst.

Fan. I do expect the worst.-Prithee, Betty, return to the outward door, and listen if you hear any body in the gallery; and let us know directly.

Bet. I warrant you, madam-the lord bless you both! [Exit BET. Fun. What did my father want with you this evening?

Love. He gave me the key of his closet, with orders to bring from London some papers relating to lord Ogleby.

Fan. And why did you not obey him? Love. Because I am certain that his lordship has opened his heart to him about you, and those

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papers are wanted merely on that account-but as we shall discover all to-morrow, there will be no occasion for them, and it would be idle in me to go.

Fan. Hark-hark! bless me, how I tremble! I feel the terrors of guilt-indeed, Mr Lovewell, this is too much for me.

Love. And for me, too, my sweet Fanny! Your apprehensions make a coward of me. But what can alarm you? your aunt and sister are in their chambers, and you have nothing to fear from the rest of the family.

Fan. I fear every body, and every thing, and every moment— -My mind is in continual agita tion and dread; indeed, Mr Lovewell, this situation may have very unhappy consequences.

[W'eeps.

Love. But it shan't-I would rather tell our story this moment to all the house, and run the risk of maintaining you by the hardest labour, than suffer you to remain in this dangerous per plexity.-What! shall I sacrifice all my best hopes and affections, in your dear health and safety, for the mean, and, in such case, the meanest consideration-of your fortune!—Were we to be abandoned by all our relations, we have that in our hearts and minds will weigh against the most affluent circumstances. I should not have proposed the secrecy of our marriage, but

for your sake; and with hopes that the most generous sacrifice you have made to love and me, might be less injurious to you, by waiting a lucky moment of reconciliation.

Bet. I can distinguish a man from a mouse as well as my betters-I'm sorry you think so ill of me, sir.

Fan. He compliments you; don't be a fool !Now you have set her tongue a running, she'll mutter for an hour. [To LOVEWELL.] I'll go and hearken myself. [Exit FAN. Bet. I'll turn my back upon no girl for sinceand service. [Half aside, and muttering. Love. Thou art the first in the world for both; and I will reward you soon, Betty, for one and

Fan. Hush! hush! for Heaven's sake, my dear Lovewell, don't be so warm! your generosity gets the better of your prudence; you will be heard, and we shall be discovered.-I am satisfied-indeed I am- -Excuse this weak-rity ness, this delicacy, this what you will.- My mind's at peace-indeed it is-think no more of it, if you love me !

Love. That one word has charmed me, as it always does, to the most implicit obedience: it would be the worst of ingratitude in me to distress you a moment. [Kisses her.

Re-enter BETTY.

the other.

Bet. I am not mercenary, neither-I can live on a little, with a good carretes,

Re-enter FANNY.

Fan. All seems quiet-suppose, my dear, you

Bet. [In a low voice.] I'm sorry to disturb go to your own room-I shall be much easier you.

Fan. Ha! what's the matter?

Love. Have you heard any body?

Bet. Yes, yes, I have; and they have heard you, too, or I'm mistaken-if they had scen you, too, we should have been in a fine quandary! Fan. Prithee, don't prate now, Betty! Love. What did you hear?

then-and to-morrow we will be prepared for the discovery.

Bet. You You may discover, if you please; but, for my part, I shall still be secret.

[Half aside, and muttering. Love. Should I leave you now, if they still are upon the watch, we shall lose the advantage of our delay. Besides, we should consult upon to

Bet. I was preparing myself, as usual, to take morrow's business. Let Betty go to her own

me a little nap

Love. A nap!

room, and lock the outward door after her; we can fasten this; and when she thinks all safe,

Bet. Shall I, madam?

Bet. Yes, sir, a nap; for I watch much bet-she may return and let me out as usual. ter so than wide awake; and, when I had wrapped this handkerchief round my head, for fear of the ear-ach from the key-hole, I thought I heard a kind of a sort of a buzzing, which I first took for a gnat, and shook my head two or three times, and went so with my hand.

Fan. Well-well-and so

Bet. And so, madam, when I heard Mr Lovewell a little loud, I heard the buzzing louder, too and pulling off my handkerchief softly, I could hear this sort of noise

[Makes an indistinct sort of noise, like speaking.

Fan. Well, and what did they say?

Fan. Do! let me have my way to-night, and you shall command me ever after. I would not have you surprised here for the world. Pray, leave me! I shall be quite myself again, if you will oblige me.

Love. I live only to oblige you, my sweet Fanny! I'll be gone this moment.

[Going. Fan. Let us listen first at the door, that you may not be intercepted. Betty shall go first, and, if they lay hold of her

Bet. They'll have the wrong sow by the ear, I can tell them that. [Going hastily. Fun. Softly-softly-Betty! don't venture out, Bet. O! I could not understand a word of if you hear a noise. Softly, I beg of you! see, what was said. Mr Lovewell, the effects of indiscretion! Love. But love, Fanny, makes amends for all. [Exeunt all, softly.

Love. The outward door is locked?'

Bet. Yes; and I bolted it, too, for fear of the

worst.

Fan. Why did you? they must have heard you, SCENE II.-Changes to a gallery, which leads if they were near.

Bet. And I did it on purpose, madam, and coughed a little, too, that they might not hear Mr Lovewell's voice-when I was silent, they were silent, and so I came to tell you.

Fan. What shall we do?

Love. Fear nothing; we know the worst; it will only bring on our catastrophe a little too soon-but Betty might fancy this noise-she's in the conspiracy, and can make a man a mouse at any time.

VOL. II.

Enter MISS

to several bed-chambers.

STERLING, leading MRS Heidel-
BERG in a night-cap.
Miss Ster. This way, dear madam; and then
I'll tell you all.

Mrs Heid. Nay, but niece-consider a little -don't drag me out this figure; let me put on my fly-cap!-if any of my lord's fammaly, or the counsellors at law, should be stirring, I should be perdigus disconcerted.

5 Q

Miss Ster. But, my dear madam, a moment is an age, in my situation. I am sure my sister has been plotting my disgrace and ruin in that chamber- -O! she's all craft and wickedness. Mrs Heid. Well, but softly, Betsey !—you are all in emotion-your mind is too much flustrated -you can neither eat, nor drink, nor take your natural rest-compose yourself, child; if we are not as warysome as they are wicked, we shall disgrace ourselves and the whole fammaly.

Miss Ster. We are disgraced already, madam. Sir John Melvil has forsaken me; my lord cares for nobody but himself; or, if any body, it is my sister; my father, for the sake of a better bargain, would marry me to a 'Change broker; so that if you, madam, don't continue my friendif you forsake me-if I am to lose my best hopes and consolation-in your tenderness-and affections-I had better-at once-give up the matter-and let my sister enjoy-the fruits of her treachery-trample with scorn upon the rights of her elder sister, the will of the best of aunts and the weakness of a too interested father. [She pretends to be bursting into tears all

this speech.

Mrs Heid. Don't, Betsey---keep up your spurrit -I hate whimpering-I am your friend--depend upon me in every particular--but be composed, and tell me what new mischief you have discovered?

Miss Ster. I had no desire to sleep, and would not undress myself, knowing that my Machiavel sister would not rest till she had broke my heart: -I was so uneasy that I could not stay in my room; but, when I thought that all the house was quiet, I sent my maid to discover what was going forward; she immediately came back, and told me that they were in high consultation; that she had heard only, for it was in the dark, my sister's maid conduct sir John Melvil to her mistress, and then lock the door.

Mrs Heid. And how did you conduct yourself in this dalimma?

Miss Ster. Nothing but servants; let us retire a moment! [They retire.

Enter BRUSH, half drunk, laying hold of the Chamber-maid, who has a candle in her hand.

Cham. Be quiet, Mr Brush; I shall drop down with terror!

Brush. But my sweet, and most amiable chambermaid, if you have no love, you may hearken to a little reason; that cannot possibly do your virtue any harm.

Cham. But you may do me harm, Mr Brush, and a great deal of harm, too; pray let me go; I am ruined if they hear you; I tremble like an asp.

Brush. But they shan't hear us; and if you have a mind to be ruined, it shall be the making of your fortune, you little slut, you! therefore, I say it again, if you have no love, hear a little reason!

Cham. I wonder at your impurence, Mr Brush, to use me in this manner; this is not the way to keep me company, I assure you. You are a town-rake, I see; and now you are a little in liquor, you fear nothing.

Brush. Nothing, by Heavens, but your frowns, most amiable chamber-maid! I am a little electrified, that's the truth on't; I am not used to drink port, and your master's is so heady, that a pint of it oversets a claret-drinker.

Cham. Don't be rude! bless me !--I shall be ruined--what will become of me?

Brush. I'll take care of you, by all that's honourable!

Cham. You are a base man to use me so-I'}} cry out, if you don't let me go. That is Miss Sterling's chamber, that Miss Fanny's, and that Madam Heidelberg's.

Brush. And that my lord Ogleby's, and that my lady What-d'ye-call-'em's: I don't mind such folks when I'm sober, much less when I am whimsical-rather above that, too.

Cham. More shame for you, Mr Brush !—you terrify me-you have no modesty.

Miss Ster. I returned with her, and could hear a man's voice, though nothing that they said, distinctly; and you may depend upon it, that sir Brush. O, but I have, my sweet spider-brushJohn is now in that room, that they have settleder-for instance; I reverence Miss Fannythe matter, and will run away together before morning, if we don't prevent them.

Mrs Heid. Why, the brazen slut! she has got her sister's husband (that is to be) locked up in her chamber! at night, too!-I tremble at the thoughts!

Miss Ster. Hush, madam! I hear something.

Mrs Heid. You frighten me-let me put on my fly-cap-I would not be seen in this figur for the world.

Miss Ster. 'Tis dark, madam; you can't be

seen.

Mrs Heid. I protest there's a candle coming, and a mau, too!

she's a most delicious morsel, and fit for a prince. -With all my horrors of matrimony, I could marry her myself-but for her sister

Miss Ster. There, there, madam, all in a story! Cham. Bless me, Mr Brush!—I heard something!

Brush. Rats, I suppose, that are gnawing the old timbers of this execrable old dungeon-If it was mine, I would pull it down, and fill your fine canal up with the rubbish; and then I should get rid of two damned things at once.

Cham. Law! law! how you blaspheme !-we shall have the house upon our heads for it.

Brush. No, no; it will last our time-but, as I was saying, the eldest sister-Miss Jezebel

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