555

Wil. That is more than I know.
Maria. Why, then, the worst is past.
Wil. No, ma'am; I can't say that, either.
Lady J. Nay-But what news do you bring?
Speak.

Wil. Why, you know, my master, last night, made enquiries how to find the chambers of Counsellor Demur; so, when he went out this morning, I observed your directions, and followed him. He went to the counsellor's in Lincola's-inn, and there I left him, and hurried away to Sir George's, to inquire and hear all I could; though it was rather unlucky that I was not acquainted in the family.

Lady J. Did not you make use of my name?

Wil. Oh! yes, my lady. Besides, servants, your ladyship knows, are not so suspicious as their masters; they soon become friendly together; so, in five minutes, Sir George's valet and I were on as intimate a footing as we could wish.

Maria. And what did he say? Tell me.

Wil. Why, ma'am, he said, that Sir George did not leave his own house last night, after the fainting of the young gentleman.

Lucy. That was you, you know, ma'am.

Wil. And, what is more, that he did not go to bed; but walked up and down the room till daylight in the morning; and then called, I don't know how of ten, to warn the servants that he should not be at home to anybody whatever, except to a strange gen

tleman.

Maria. My brother!

Wil. Why, yes, ma'am; according to the description, it could be nobody else.

Lady J. And at what hour was Mr. Delaval to be there?

here. Five minutes, but five minutes, and then-
[Walks again; throws himself on a sofa; takes up a
first duty? To be happy. Short-sighted fool! The
book, throws it away, and then rises.] What is man's
[Walks again, and looks at his watch.] What is life?
happiness of this hour is the misery of the next!
A tissue of follies! inconsistencies! Joys that make
reason weep, and sorrows at which wisdom smiles.
Psha! There is not between ape and oyster so ridi-
culous or so wretched a creature as man! [Walks.]
Oh, Maria!-[ Looking at his watch.] I want but a
few seconds: my watch, perhaps, is too fast. [Rings.
Enter a Footman.

Sir G. Has nobody yet been here?
Foot. No, sir

Fly! If it be the person I have described, admit
Sir G. 'Tis the time to a minute. [Loud knocking.]
him. [Exit Footman.] Now let the thunder strike!
Enter DELAVAL.

Sir G. Good morning, sir!
Del. You recollect me?
Sir G. Perfectly.

Del. 'Tis well.

menace lives in my memory; and I shall be glad to Sir G. I have been anxious for your coming. Your know the name of him who has threatened such mortal enmity.

Del. A little patience will be necessary. I must preface my proceedings with a short story.

Sir G. I shall be all attention. Please to be seated.
Now, sir.
Wave ceremony, and to the subject. [They sit.]-

from college, poor, and unprotected. He was a Del. About six years ago, a certain youth came scholar, pleasing in manners, warm and generous o temper, of a respectable family, and seemed to possess the germ of every virtue.

Wil. [Aside.] Zooks! I forgot to ask.-That-up that, my lady, I did not learn. So, this being all the servants told me, I ran post haste to make my re. port to you.

Maria. The worst I foreboded will happen!
Lady J. What can be done?

Wil. Perhaps it will be better for me to go back to Sir George's; wait for the arrival of my master; and, if he should come, hasten away as fast as I can to inform you of it.

Lucy. That is a good thought, Mr. Williams. Is not it, madam? A very good thought, indeed! Don't you think it is, my lady?

Lady J. I know not what we can do better. Maria. Nay, but while Williams is bringing us the intelligence, everything we most dread may happen.

Lucy. Dear! so it may.

Wil. Suppose, then, madam, I should stay at my post, and despatch Sir George's valet to you with

the news?

Lucy. Well, that is the best thought of all! I am sure you will own it is, madam.

Maria. I know not what to think.

Lady J. We must resolve; or, while we are deliberating

Maria. Merciful God! Run, Williams! Fly! Save my brother! Save Sir George!

Lady J. Succeed but in this, and command all we have to give.

Wil. I will do my best.
Lucy. That I am sure he will.
SCENE II.-An apartment in the House of Sir
[Exeunt.
George Versatile.

Sir GEORGE VERSATILE discovered walking, and
greatly agitated.

Sir G. [Looking at his watch.] He will soon be

Sir G. Well, sir?

Chance made him known to a man who desired to
Del. Hear me on. My praises will not be tedious.
cherish his good qualities; and the purse, the expe-
rience, and the power of his benefactor, such as they
son, he soon became dear to the family; but most
were, he profited by to the utmost. Received as a
dear to the daughter of his friend, whose tender age
and glowing affections made her apt to admire the
encourage. You are uneasy?
virtues she heard her father so ardently praise and

Sir G. Be pleased to continue.

Del. The assiduities of the youth to gain her heart known as he then was, were not rejected. The nowere unabating; and his pretensions, poor and unble nature of his friend scorned to make his poverty generous? his crime. Why do you bite your lip? Was it not

Sir G. Sir!

Del. Was it not?

Sir G. Certainly! Nothing could-equal thegenerosity.

Del. The health of his benefactor was declining that he should qualify himself for the cares of life by fast; and the only thing desired of the youth was, some profession; he, therefore, entered a student in the Temple; and the means were furnished by his protector, till the end was obtained. Was not this friendship?

Sir G. It was.

Del. The lady, almost a child when first he knew years. Sweetness and smiles played upon her counher, increased in grace and beauty faster than in

tenance. She was the delight of her friends, the admiration of the world, and the coveted of every eye. Lovers of fortune and fashion contended for her hand; but she had bestowed her heart; had bestowed it on a-Sit still, sir; I shall soon have done. I am coming to the point. Five years elapsed, during which the youth received every kindness friendship could afford, and every proof chaste affection had to give. These he returned with promises and protestations that seemed too vast for his heart, I would say for his tongue.-Are you unwell, sir?

Sir G. Go on with your tale.

Del. So I supposed; and the alternative follows Here I am: nor will I quit you, go where you will, till you consent to retire with me to some place from which one of us shall never return. Should I be the victor,-flight, banishment from my native country, and the bitterest recollections of the villainies of man, must be the fate of me and my sister. If I fall you then may triumph, and she languish and die unrevenged. This, or the written acknowledgment Consider, and choose.

Sir G. What can I answer? The paper you shall not have. My life you are welcome to: take it. Del. His benefactor, feeling the hand of death Del. Have you not brought disgrace enough on steal on, was anxious to see the two persons dearest my family? Would you make me an assassin? My to his heart happy before he expired; and the mar-sister and my father loved you. Let me, if possible, riage was determined upon, the day fixed, and the feel some little return of respect for you. friends of the family invited. The intended bridegroom appeared half frantic with his approaching bliss. Now, sir, mark his proceeding. In this short interval, by sudden and unexpected deaths, he becomes the heir to a title and large estate. Well! Does he not fly to the arms of his languishing friend? Does he not pour his new treasures and his transports into the lap of love? Coward and monster!Sir G. [Both starting up.] Sir.

Del. Viler than words can paint! Having robbed a family of honour, a friend of peace, and an angel of every human solace, he fled, like a thief, and concealed himself from immediate contempt and vengeance in a foreign country. But contempt and vengeance have at length overtaken him: they beset him: they face him at this instant. The friend he wronged is dead: but the son of that friend lives, and I am he.

Sir G. "Tis as I thought! [Aside. Del. You are-I will not defile my lips by telling you what you are.

Sir G. I own that what I have done

Del. Forbear to interrupt me, sir. You have nothing to plead, and much to hear. First say; did my sister, by any improper conduct, levity of behaviour, or fault, or vice whatever, give you just cause to

abandon her?

Sir G. None! none! Her purity is only exceeded by her love.

Del. Then, how, barbarian, how had you the heart to disgrace the family and endanger the life of a woman, whose sanctified affection would have embraced you in poverty, pestilence, or death; and who, had she possessed empires, would have bestowed them with an imperial affection?

Sir G. Having wronged your sister, would you have me murder the brother? Already the most guilty of men, would you make me worst of fiends? Though an enemy, be a generous one.

Del. Plausible sophist! The paper, sir: or man to man, and arm to arm, close the scene of my dishonour or your own. The written acknowledgment. Determine. [Walks away and views the pictures.

Sir G. [Apart.] Why, ay! 'Tis come home! I have sought it, deserved it—'tis fallen, and the rock must crush the reptile! Then welcome ruin. The sword must decide. [Goes to take his sword, but stops.] The sword? What! Betray the sister and assassinate the brother? Oh, God! And such a brother! Stern, but noble-minded: indignant of injury, peerless in affection, and proud of a sister whom the world might worship; but whom I, worthless wretch, in levity and pride of heart, have abandoned. [Aloud.] Mr. Delaval!

Del. Have you resolved to sign?
Sir G. Hear me.

Del. The written acknowledgment !

Sir G. My behaviour to your sister is what I cannot endure to name.-'Tis hateful! 'Tis infamous! My obligations to your most excellent father, the respect you have inspired me with, and my love for Maria

Del. Insolent, insufferable meanness! The paper, sir!

Sir G. Angry though you are, Mr. Delaval, you must hear me. I say, my love, my adoration of Maria has but increased my guilt. It has made me dread her contempt. I durst not face the angel whom I had so deeply injured.

Del. Artifice! Evasion! Cowardice!-Your sig

Sir G. Snatching_up his sword from the table.{ You shall have it. Follow me.

Sir G. Sir, if you ask, have I committed errors?-nature! call them crimes if you will-yes. If you demand, will you justify them?-no. If you require me to atone for them, here is my heart: you have wrongs to revenge, strike: and, if you can, inflict a pang greater than any it yet has known.

Del. Justice is not to be disarmed by being braved. To the question. It can be no part of your intention, and certainly not of mine, that you should marry my sister. Something very different must be done. Sir G. What? Name it.

Del. Fear me not.

Sir G. [Stopping short.] Hold, Mr. Delaval. Justice is on your side. If your firmness be not a savage spirit of revenge, if you do not thirst for blood, you will feel my only resourse will be to fall on your sword. I cannot lift my arm against you. Del. Then sign the acknowledgment.

Sir G. Can you, in the spirit even of an enemy, Del. You must give me an acknowledgment, ask it? Do you not already despise me enough? written and signed by yourself, that you have basely Think for a moment: am I the only man that ever and most dishonourably injured, insulted, and be- erred? Is it so wonderful, that a giddy youth, whose trayed Maria Delaval: and this paper, immediately habitual failing was compliance, by sudden accident as I leave your house, I shall publish in every pos-elevated to the pinnacle of fortune, surrounded by sible way, till my sister shall be so appeased, and honor so satiated, that vengeance itself shall cry,

hold!

Sir G. Written by me! Published! No. I will sign no such paper.

proud and selfish relations, of whose approbation I was vain; is it so strange, that I should be overpowered by their dictates, and yield to their entresties? Your friendship or my death is now the only alternative. Suppose the latter: will it honour you

Del. The paper!

Sir G. Obdurate man! [Reflects a moment.] You shall have it. Goes to the table to write, during which DELAVAL remains in deep thought, and much agitated.] Here, sir! since you will not be generous, let me be just. 'Tis proper I remove every taint of suspicion from the deeply wronged Maria. [Gives the paper.

Del. Reads with a faltering voice.] "I, GEORGE VERSATILE, once poor and dependent, since vain, fickle, and faithless, do, under my hand, acknowledge I have perfidiously-broken my pledged promise-to the most deserving, lovely, and-"

[Begins in much agitation to tear the paper. Sir G. Mr. Delava!!

Del. Damn it-I can't-I can't speak. Here!

Sir G. Mr. Delaval!

Del. My brother!

Here! [Striking his bosom.

Sir G. [Falls on his neck.] Can it be? My friend! Del. This stubborn temper-always in extremes! The tiger or the child.

Sir G. Oh, no! "Twas not to be forgiven! Best of men !

Del. Well, well; we are friends.
Sir G. Everlastingly! brothers!
Del. Yes; brothers.

Wil. Sir!

Enter WILLIAMS, hastily.

Del. How now?

Wil. I beg your pardon, but Lady Jane and your sister are below. They insist on coming up, and the

servants are afraid to

Sir G. Maria! Let us fly.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-The apartments of Lord VIBRATE. Lady VIBRATE and Doctor GOSTERMAN discovered. Doctor. Ya, my coot laty; dat vas efery vordt so true as vat I say. I vas discober it vas a vomans; und Sair Shorge, und my Laty Shane, und de vait ing-vomans vas discober to me all as vat I say more. Lady V. Ay, ay; that was the reason Sir George was not at the masquerade.

Doctor. Ya, my coot lady.

Lady V. I observed he was in a strange moody humour.

Lord V. Is your daughter's loss the subject of your mirth?

Lady V. Ha, ha, ha! No, no; not her loss, but your positive determination to prove I did not know you. Ha, ha, ha! When I told you that even that motive would not be strong enough, how you stormed! "But it will, my lady. But it won't, my lord. I say it will, my lady. I say it won't, my lord." Ha, ha, ha! Will you believe that I know

you now?

Lord V. What shall I do? Advise me, Doctor. Doctor. I vas adfice, my coot lordt, dat you shall do eferyting as vat you please.

Lady V. Ay, think; ask advice. Ha, ha, ha! Now that you can do nothing, the inquiry will be very amusing.

Enter THOMPSON.

Lord V. Well, Thompson, what says Counsellor
Demur? Has the time absolutely elapsed?
Thom. Absolutely, my lord.

Lady V. How wisely your lordship doubts before you decide! Eh! Doctor?

Thom. I have good news, nevertheless.
Lord V. Good news! Speak: of what kind?
Thom. The honesty of the opposite party.
Lord V. What, the holder of the land?
Thom. Yes, my lord.

Lord V. Which way? Explain.

Thom. He has engaged to Mr. Demiur, I being present, that, if your lordship will only shew the legality of your late title, he will resign the estate. Lord V. Is it possible?

Lady V. It cannot be: the last purchaser is in India.

Thom. The last purchaser is dead; and it has descended to one whom you, my lord and lady, little suspect to be its possessor.

Lord V. What, did he not mention Lady Jane?' · Thom. Her name did escape his lips; but rising passion, and, if I rightly read his heart, emotions of the most delicate sensibility, immediately closed them; as if he would not endure the love he bore her to be profaned by any the slightest semblance of barter and sale.

Lord V. What do you say to that, Lady Vibrate? What do you say to that?

Lady V. The proceeding is honourable, I own. Lord V. Did I not always tell you, Mr. Delaval was a man of honour?

Lady V. You tell me, my lord? Why, you were

Doctor. My Lordt Fiprate vas fery mosh amaze-going to challenge him yesterday morning.
ment, ven I vas make him discober all as vat I vas
make discober mit my coot laty.

Lady V. Sir George has behaved very improperly.
Enter Lord VIBRATE.

Lord V. So, so, so! All I foreboded has come to pass: the day has slipped away, a new one is here, and every possibility of recovering the estate is gone. Lady V. Ha, ha, ha!

Lord V. Do you laugh?
Lady V. Ha, ha ha! I do indeed

Lord V. He is no such weathercock as your favourite, Sir George.

Lady V. You mistake: Sir George is no favourite of mine. Is he, Doctor?

Doctor. Dat vas all yust as vat you say, my coot laty.

Lord V. What, he did not come to make a buffoon of himself, for your diversion, at the masquerade last night? Eh! Doctor?

Doctor. Dat vas all yust as vat you say, my coot

lordt.

Lord V. Ay, ay; he has plenty of words, but he you. Thompson has been telling me of your disin

Sir G. Has declined in your good opinion. But you cannot think so ill of me as I do of myself; and if ever again I should recover my own self-respect, I shall be indebted for it to this best of men, and to Lady V. I own, However, I am still more sur-this most incomparable and affectionate of women. prised at the unexampled generosity of Mr. Delaval.

THE END.

DUPLICITY;

A COMEDY, IN FIVE ACTS,

BY THOMAS HOLCROFT.

DRAMATIS PERSONE.

SIR HORNET ARMSTRONG.
SIR HARRY PORTLAND
'SQUIRE TURNBULL
VANDERVELT

OSBORNE

TIMID

SCRIP

Servants.

CLARA

MELISSA

MISS TURNBULL

MRS. TRIP.

ACT I.

SCENE I-Sir Harry Portland's House.

CLARA and MELISSA discovered.
Clara. Well, my dear Melissa, you will be a happy

woman.

and my brother is as sincere as the commencement of it was remarkable. Have you ever heard their story?

Clara. Never. You know my acquaintance with your family is but just begun; but I hope you wi not think them words of course when I assure you that, short as it is, I feel myself interested in its happiness.

Mel. Oh! I am sure you are sincere; I know it by sympathy. Well, then, I'll tell you: Harry and Osborne happened to be both abroad at the same time. As my brother was going to Italy, and passing through the mountainous part of Savoy, he came to a hollow way, among the rocks, surrounded by trees and caverns; all on a sudden, at a turning in the road, he beheld Osborne and his servants, attacked by six banditti, and ready to sink under their wounds. Clara. Was Sir Harry alone? [Alarmed.

Mel. He had his governor, two servants, and the postilion. My brother instantly leaped from his carriage, snatched up his sword and pistols, and flew to the place of action.

Clara. I declare you terrify me.

Mel. He was not seen by the combatants, and took care to advance so near before he fired, that he could not fail to do execution. He laid two of the banditti dead; and their companions, who had discharged their fire-arms, and beheld Sir Harry's people running to the attack and levelling their

Mel. I have no doubt of it. The attention which Mr. Osborne has shewn me was not that of a man eager to gain the affection of his mistress by humouring her caprices, praising her beauty, and flat-pieces, fled. tering her follies. He is obliging and well-bred, but sincere; yet his disapprobation is delivered with a delicacy that makes it more agreeable than some people's compliments.

Clara. If time, instead of mellowing the strokes, should wear away this smooth varnish, and discover a harsh outline, should you not be offended at the severity of his manner, think you?

Mel Believe me, dear Clara, there is no danger; for if there be one man on earth more capable of making a woman happy than another, it is Mr. Osborne.

Clara. It would be heresy in you, my dear, to hold any other opinion; and I have no doubt but you will continue orthodox after marriage.

Mel. Yes; I shall die in that faith.

Card. Your brother, Sir Harry, I believe, is of your religion, too.

Mel. Entirely. The friendship of Mr. Osborne

Clara. Thank you for that, my dear; you have given me breath.

Mel. The intrepidity with which Sir Harry saw Osborne defend himself, and the fortitude he discovered when he was informed (as it was at first believed) that his wounds were mortal, attached my brother so powerfully to him, that he resolved not to leave him in the hands of strangers, but anxiously waited while he was under cure.

Clara. This was a noble generosity.

Mel. It was; and Osborne was so sensible of it, that, though he was going the other way, he would return with Sir Harry into Italy; and their friendship has continued ever since.

Clara. But is it not strange, my dear, that he cannot detach his friend from the gaming-table? Mel. My brother is infatuated. It is his greatest, almost his only weakness.

Clara. But the report is, that Mr. Osborne takes