Mask. And so may all your pleasures be, and cret as this kiss.

Mel. [Leaps out. And may all treachery be thus
scovered.

Lady T. Ah!
[Shrieks.
Mel. Villain!
[Offers to draw.
Mask. Nay, then there's but one way. [Runs out.
Mel. Say you so? Were you provided for an
cape? Hold! madam, you have no more holes
your burrow. I'll stand between you and this
lly-port.

Lady T. Shame, grief, and ruin haunt thee for is deceit! Oh! I could rack myself, play the ulture to my own heart, and gnaw it piecemeal, for ot boding to me this misfortune.

Mel. Be patient.
Lady T. Patient !

Mel. Consider, I have you on the hook; you will ut flounder yourself a-weary, and be, nevertheless, y prisoner.

Lady T. I'll hold my breath and die, but I'll be

ee.

Mel. Oh, madam! have a care of dying unpreared. I doubt you have some unrepented sins that ay hang heavy and retard your flight.

Lady T. What shall I do? whither shall I turn? fold in, my passion, and fall, fall a little, thou welling heart! Let me have some intermission of is rage, and one minute's coolness to dissemble.

[Aside.-Weeps. Mel. You have been to blame. I like those tears, and hope they are of the purest kind-penitential

ears.

[Draws, and runs at MELLEFONT; is held by Lady T.

Lady T. Oh, my lord! hold, hold! for mercy's sake!

Mel. Confusion! my uncle! Oh, the cursed sorceress !

Lady T. Moderate your rage, good my lord; he's mad, alas! he's mad; indeed he is, my lord, and knows not what he does. See how wild he looks!

Mel. By heaven, 'twere senseless not to be mad, and see such witchcraft.

Lady T. My lord, you hear him; he talks idly. Lord T. Hence from my sight, thou living infamy to my name! When next I see that face, I'll write villain in't with my sword's point.

Mel. Now, by my soul, I will not go till I have made known my wrongs; nay, till I have made known yours, which, if possible, are greater; though she has all the host of hell her servants.

Lady T. Alas! he raves, talks very poetry! For heaven's sake, away, my lord; he'll either tempt you to extravagance, or commit some himself.

Mel. Death and furies! will you not hear me? Why, she laughs, grins, points at you, makes you her mark of insult and derision.

[As Lady T. is going, she turns back and smiles at him.

Lord T. I fear he's mad, indeed. Let's send Maskwell to him.

Mel. Send him to her. Ladq T. Come, come, good my lord; my heart aches so, I shail faint if I stay.

[Exeunt Lord and Lady T. Lady T. Oh! the scene was shifted quick before Mel. Oh! I could curse my stars, fate, and ne; I had not time to think; I was surprised to chance; all causes and accidents of fortune in this see a monster in the glass, and now I find 'tis my-life! But to what purpose? They talk of sending self. Can you have mercy to forgive the faults I have imagined, but never put in practice? Oh! consider, consider how fatal you have been to me, you have already killed the quiet of this life. The iove of you was the first wandering fire that e'er misled my steps; and while I had only that in view, I was betrayed into unthought-of ways of ruin. Mel. May I believe this true?

Lady T. Oh! be not cruelly incredulous. How can you doubt these streaming eyes? Keep the severest eye o'er all my future conduct; and if I once relapse, let me not hope forgiveness; 'twill ever be in your power to ruin me. My lord shall sign to your desires; I will myself create your happiness, and Cynthia shall this night be your bride;

Maskwell to me; I never had more need of him.
But what can he do? Imagination cannot form a
fairer or more plausible design than this of his,
which has miscarried. Oh, my precious aunt' I
shall never thrive, without I deal with the devil or
another woman.

Women, like flames, have a destroying power,
Ne'er to be quench'd, till they themselves devour.

ACT V.

[Erit.

do but conceal my failings, and forgive. [Kneels. SCENE I.-The Gallery in Lord Touchwood's

House.

Enter Lady ToUCHWOOD and MASKWELL. Lady T. Was't not lucky?

Mask. Lucky! fortune is your own, and 'tis her interest so to be; I believe you can control her power, and she fears it; though chance brought my lord, 'twas your own art that turned it to advan tage.

Lady T. Tis true, it might have been my rain; but yonder's my lord; I believe he's coming to find you; I'll not be seen. [Ent.

Mask. So! I durst not own my introducing my | lord, though it succeeded well for her; for she would

have suspected a design, which I should have been puzzled to excuse. My lord is thoughtful; I'll be so too; yet he shall know my thoughts, or think he

does.

Enter Lord TOUCHWOOD.

What have I done?

[Aside.

thing, though she involved herself
must be by stratagem; I must decre
once more, and get my lord to conwa
vate management. He comes oppor
will I, in my old way, discover the whis
truth of the matter to him, that be may u -
one word on't.

No mask, like open truth, to cover
As to go naked is the best disguin.
Enter MELLEFONT.

Mel. Oh! Maskwell, what hoper?
founded in a maze of thoughts, each
one another, and all ending in perja
uncle will not see nor hear me.
Mask. No matter, sir; don't trouble
all's in my power.

Lord T. Talking to himself! Mask. 'Twas honest; and shall I be rewarded for it? No, 'twas honest, therefore I sha'n't. Nay, rather, therefore I ought not; for it rewards itself. Lord T. Unequalled virtue! [Aside. Mask. But should it be known, then I have lost a friend. He was an ill man, and I have gained; for half myself I lent him, and that I have recalled; so I have served myself; and what is better, I have served a worthy lord, to whom I owe myself. Lord T. Excellent man! [Aside. Mask. Yet I am wretched. Oh! there is a secret burns within this breast, which, should it once blaze forth, would ruin all, consume my honest cha-dotage I know not; but he's gone to racter, and brand me with the name of villain. my marriage with Cynthia, and has Lord T. Ha! [Aside. his heir. Mask. Oh! should it once be known I love fair Cynthia, all this that I have done would look like a rival's malice, false friendship to my lord, and base self-interest. Let me perish first, and from this hour avoid all sight and speech; and, if I can, all thought of that pernicious beauty.

[Seems to start at seeing Lord T. Lord T. Start not; let guilty and dishonest souls start at the revelation of their thoughts; but be thou fixed, as is thy virtue. Honest Maskwell, thy and my good genius led me hither; mine, in that I have discovered so much manly virtue; thine in that thou shalt have due reward of all thy worth. Give me thy hand; my nephew is the alone remaining branch of all our ancient family; him I thus blow away, and constitute thee in his room, to be my heir.

Mask. Now fate forbid

Lord T. No more; I have resolved. The writings are ready drawn, and wanted nothing but to be signed, and have his name inserted; yours will fill the blank as well-I will have no reply. Let me command this time, for 'tis the last in which I will assume authority; hereafter, you shall rule where I have power.

Mask. I humbly would petitionLord T. Is't for yourself? [MASKWELL pauses.] I'll hear of naught for anybody else. Mask. Then witness, heaven, for me, this wealth build my fortune on another's ruin; I had but one and honour was not of my seeking; nor would I

desire.

Lord T. Thou shalt enjoy it. If all I'm worth in wealth or interest can purchase Cynthia, she is thine. I'm sure Sir Paul's consent will follow fortune; I'll quickly shew him which way that is going. Mask. You oppress me with bounty.

Lord T. `I will confirm it, and rejoice with thee. [Exit. Mask. This is prosperous, indeed! Why, let him find me out a villain; settled in possession of a fair estate, and full fruition of my love, I'll bear the railings of a losing gamster. But should he find me out before! 'tis dangerous to delay. Let me think-Should my lord proceed to treat openly of my marriage with Cynthia, all will be discovered, and Mellefont can be no longer blinded. It must

Mel. How, for heaven's sake? Mask. Little do you think that your her word. How she wrought my

Mel. The devil he has! What's to be ser Mask. I have it: it must be by strive it's in vain to make application to am have that in my head that cannot fall Cynthia?

Mel. In the garden.

Mask. Let us go and consult her. My 3 for yours I cheat my lord.

Re-enter Lord and Lady Testhood. Lady T. Maskwell your heir, and marry Lord T. I cannot do too much for som to be suddenly resolved. Way, Crutha Lady T. But this is a thing of two great a must he be married? Is there not reward e in raising his low fortune, but he must ta! blood with mine, and wed my niece? How you that my brother will consent, or she' So he himself, perhaps, may have affections elesher. Lord T. No; I am convinced he loves her. Lady T. Maskwell love Cynthia? Impecble. Lord T. I tell you he confessed it to me. Lady T. Confusion! How's this?

and his love of Mellefont would have made
Lord T. His humility long stifled his paco
still conceal it; but, by encouragement. I
rewarded but in her. I'll defer my farm P
the secret from him; and know, he's De WIT
ceedings in it till you have considered
both indebted to him, if you knew a
member how we are both indebted to
Oh, I am wild with this surprise of trea
is impossible, it cannot be. He love Cr
What, have I been dupe to his desig
Mellefont. What shall I do? How shall a
perty only? Now I see what made
I cannot think. All my designs are lost
unsated, my revenge unfinished, and fresh cus
fury from unthought-of plagues.

Lady T. Both indebted to him! Is "*"

Enter Sir PAUL PLIANT.

f

Sir P. Madam-sister, my lady, sister! öd vs see my lady, my wife?

Lady T. Oh, torture!

Sir P. Gadsbud! I can't find her high not let Where can she be, think you?

not be. Nay, should my lady know it-ay, then ought to be served, making you a beast. D Lady T. Where she's serving you as all y were fine work, indeed! her fury would spare no-you know that you're a fool, brother?

L

Sir P. A fool! ha, ha, ha! you're merry. No, not I; I know no such matter.

Lady T. Why, then, you don't know half your ppiness.

Sir P. That's a jest, with all my heart, faith, and Eroth. But harkye! my lord told me something of ings; I don't know what to make on't; gadsbud! must consult my wife. He talks of disinheriting is nephew, and I don't know what. Look you, ster; I must know what my girl has to trust to, not a syllable of a wedding, gadsbud! to shew ou that I am not a fool.

Lady T. Hear me :-consent to the breaking off is marriage, and the promoting any other, withut consulting me, and I'll renounce all blood, all elation, and concern with you for ever; nay, I'll e your enemy, and pursue you to destruction; I'll ear your eyes out, and tread you under my feet.

Sir P. Why, what's the matter now? Good Lord, what's all this for? Pho! here's a joke, indeed. Why, where's my wife?

Lady T. With Careless, fool! most likely. Sir P. Oh, if she be with Mr. Careless, 'tis well nough.

[Exit.

Mask. Well, get yourselves ready, and meet me in half an hour, yonder in my lady's dressing-room; I'll send the chaplain to you with his robes; I have made him my own, and ordered him to meet us tomorrow morning at St. Alban's; there we will sum up this account to all our satisfactions. Mel. Should I begin to thank or praise thee, I should waste the little time we have. Mask. Madam, you will be ready? Cyn. I will be punctual to the minute. Mask. Stay, I have a doubt. Upon second thoughts, we had better meet in the chaplain's chamber here; there is a back way into it, so that you need not come through this door, and a pair of private stairs leading down to the stables. It will be more convenient.

[Going.

Cyn. I am guided by you; but Mellefont will mistake.

Mask. No, no; I'll after him immediately, and tell him. [Erit CYNTHIA.] Why, qui vult decipi decipiatur. 'Tis no fault of mine; I have told 'em in plain terms how easy 'tis for me to cheat 'em; and if they will not hear the serpent's hiss, they must be stung into experience and future caution. Lady T. Fool, sot, insensible ox! But remem-Now to prepare my lord to consent to this. But er what I said to you, or you had better see my first, I must instruct my little Levite; he promised face no more; by this light, you had. [Erit. me to be within at this hour. Mr. Saygrace, Mr. Sir P. You're a passionate woman, gadsbud! but, Saygrace! [Goes to the chamber-door, and knocks. o say truth, all our family are choleric; I am the Say. [Within.] Sweet sir, I will but pen the last only peaceable person amongst 'em. [Exit. line of an acrostic, and be with you in the twinkling of an ejaculation, or before you can

Re-enter MELLEFONT and MASKWELL, with
CYNTHIA.

Mel. I know no other way but this he has proposed, if you have love enough to run the venture.

Cyn. I don't know whether I have love enough, but I find I have obstinacy enough to pursue whatever I have once resolved, and a true female cou. rage to oppose anything that resists my will, though 'twere reason itself.

Mask. That's right. Well, I'll secure the tings, and run the hazard along with you.

Mask. Nay, good Mr. Saygrace, do not prolong the time, by describing to me the shortness of your stay; rather, if you please, defer the finishing of your wit, and let us talk about our business; it shall be tithes in your way.

Enter SAYGRACE.

middle of a sermon to do you a pleasure.
Say. You shall prevail; I would break off in the

Mask. You could not do me a greater, except the wri-business in hand. Have you provided a habit for

Cyn. But how can the coach be got ready without suspicion?

Mask. Leave it to my care; that shall be so far from being suspected, that it shall be got ready by my lord's own order.

Mellefont?

Say. I have; it is ready in my chamber, together with clean starched band and cuffs.

Mask. Good. Let them be carried to him. Have

you stitched the gown sleeve, that he may be puzzled, and waste time in putting it on?

Say. I have; the gown will not be endued without perplexity.

Mask. Meet me in half an hour, here in your own chamber. When Cynthia comes, let there be no light, and do not speak, that she may not distinguish you from Mellefont. I'll urge haste, to excuse your silence.

Say. You have no more commands?
Mask. None; your text is short.

Say. But pithy; and I will handle it with dis.
cretion.
[Exit.
Mask. It will be the first you have so served.
Re-enter Lord TOUCHWOOD.

Lord T. Sure, I was born to be controled by those I should command! my very slaves will shortly give me rules how I shall govern them!

Mask. I am concerned to see your lordship discomposed.

Lord T. Have you seen my wife lately, or disobliged her?

Mask. No, my lord. What can this mean? [Aside. Lord T. Then Mellefont has urged somebody to incense her. Something she has heard of you, which carries her beyond the bounds of patience.

Mask. This I feared. Aside.] Did not your lord-Re-enter MASKWELL, and Lady Imm ship tell her of the honours you designed me?

Lord T. Yes.

Mask. 'Tis that; you know my lady has a spirit; she thinks I am unworthy.

a dagger.

Lady T. You want but leisure t falsehood, and sooth me to a food belle Lord T. Unworthy! 'tis an ignorant pride in her fictions; but I will stab the Le thats to think so. Honesty to me is true nobility. How-your heart, and save a sin in pity to v ever, 'tis my will it shall be so, and that should be convincing to her as much as reason. I'll not be wife-ridden. Were it possible, it should be done this night.

Mask. Ha! he meets my wishes. [Aside.] Few things are impossible to willing minds.

Lord T. Instruct me how this may be done, and you shall see I want no inclination.

Mask. I had laid a small design for to-morrow, (as love will be inventing,) which I thought to communicate to your lordship; but it may be as well done to-night.

Lord T. Here's company; come this way, and tell me. [Exeunt. Re-enter CYNTHIA, with CARELESS. Care. Is not that he, now gone out with my lord? Cyn. I am convinced there's treachery. The confusion that I saw your father in, my Lady Touchwood's passion, with what imperfectly I overheard between my lord and her, confirm me in my fears.

Where's Mellefont?

Care. Here he comes.

Re-enter MELLEFONT.

Cyn. Did Maskwell tell you anything of the chaplain's chamber?

The

Mel. No, my dear. Will you get ready? things are all in my chamber; I want nothing but the habit.

Care. You are betrayed, and Maskwell is the villain I always thought him.

Cyn. When you were gone, he said his mind was changed, and bid me meet him in the chaplain's room, pretending immediately to follow you, and give you notice.

Care. There's Saygrace tripping by with a bundle under his arm. He cannot be ignorant that Maskwell means to use his chamber; let's in, and

examine him.

Mel. 'Tis loss of time, I cannot think him false.
[Exeunt CARELESS and MELLEFONT.
Re-enter Lord TOUCHWOOD.

Cyn. My lord musing!
[Aside.
Lord T. He has a quick invention, if this were
suddenly designed. Yet, he says, he had prepared
my chaplain already

Cyn. How's this? Now I fear, indeed. [Aside. Lord T. Cynthia here! Alone, fair cousin, and melancholy.

Cyn. Your lordship was thoughtful. Lord T. My thoughts were on serious business, not worth your hearing.

Cyn. Mine were on treachery concerning you, and may be worth your hearing.

Lord T. Treachery concerning me! Pray be plain. What noise?

Mask. [Within.] Will you not hear me?

Lady T. Within.] No, monster! traitor. No. Cyn. My lady and Maskwell! This may be lucky. My lord, let me entreat you to stand behind this screen, and listen; perhaps this chance will give you proof of what you never could have believed from my suspicions.

They retire behind the screen.

Mask. Strike, then, since you will forca Lady T. Ha! a steady villain to the a Mask. Come, why do you dally wi Lady T. Thy stubborn temper ASTEA 20 you knew it would. This is crazing a thee well; but thou shalt miss thy an Mask. Ha, ha, ha!

Lady T. Ha! do you mock my ne
this shall purish your fond rash contem
smile? And such a smile as spears
Ten thousand meanings lurk in each cu
various face; oh! that they were w
heart, that I with this might lay thre
sight. But then 'twill be too late to
hast, thou hast found the only way to tur
too well thou knowest my jealous s
bear uncertainty. Speak, then, and tell an
are you silent? Oh! I am bewens
sions! But thus my anger melts.
take this poniard; for my very sports an
want strength to hold it; the has
soul.

Mask. So, 'tis well; let y wild by an
vent; and when you have temper vel
Lady T. Now, now, now I am cas
hear you.

Mask. Thanks, my inventon; and now I ma
it for you. Aside. First, tel me what
to this violence? for your passion treat 2 kit
imperfect terms, that yet I am to learn di se

Lady T. My lord himself surprised me Num news, you were to marry Cyutha; that you be owned your love to him; and as indulgeule mann assist you to attain your ends.

Mask. I grant you, in appearance, all a true; 1' seemed consenting to my lord, nay with the blessing; but could you think that i «. / had been happy in your loved embraces, unite be fond of an inferior slavery. Yes I dote on each last favour more than al though I would give a limb for every cheaply throw away on any other objec love; yet, so far I prize your pare own, that all this seeming plot that I bamb been to gratify your taste, and cheat t**— * prove a faithful rogue to you.

Lady T. If this were true; but how can

41

Mask. I have so contrived, that Meet presently, in the chaplain's habit, wait for Ca in your dressing-room: but I have put the 21upon her, that she may be otherwise empl you muffle yourself, and meet him in a You may go privately by the back stairs, perceived; there you may propose to reinsta in his uncle's favour, if he'll comply with ve sires. His case is desperate, and I beere yield to any conditions; if not, here, take the may employ it better than in the heart of is nothing when not yours. [Gives her the do je thou hast deceived me. But 'tis as I want a Lady I. Thou can'st deceive everybody, Trusty villain! I could worship thee.

Mask. No more. It wants but a few moLA before his hour. the time; and Mellefont's love will carry

rd T. I thank you. Yet it may be still too if we don't presently prevent the execution of plots. She'll think to meet him in that dressroom; was't not so? And Maskwell will ex-my lord and lady? you in the chaplain's chamber. For once, I'll my plot, too. Let us haste to find out, and inmy nephew; and do you, quickly as you can, g all the company into this gallery. I'll expose [Exeunt.