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Jenny. Oh, yes!-I have decorated her out like any king's coach-horse.

Sophia. It's very well.

Jenny. With her ribands and ringlets stuck about and dangle-ating down her back; and all herSophia. It's very well. It's all very well; but it will be no wedding.

Jenny. (As de.) I hope not.

Soph a. He told her to her face that he loved me, and offered to give her the money back. He'll never have her.-And if he does I don't care.-I know I shall die broken-hearted, but I don't care. I'll tell all to my dear grandma', for I'll not stay in this wicked city.-No! He sha'n't see me pine away. I know my ghost will haunt him; but I can't help it. I never wished him any harm, and had he but been true-hearted and have waited for me, I would. But it's no matter. He sha'n't see a tear that I shed, nor hear the least sigh that I heave.

Enter the WIDOW WARREN.

Jenny. (Looking, admiring, and walking around her.) Well, ma'am-I declare you're a pictur

Widow. No offence, I hope? I participate in tiem myself.

Dornton. Hem! No doubt!

Widow. You are acquainted with Mr. Dornon? Dornton. Why-yes-I am I believe one of his oldest acquaintance. [for him? Widow. Then I dare say you have a grea/regard Dornton. Hem!-Yes-I-had a-sort of friend. ship for him even before he was born.

Widow. Sir!-Oh-you are intimate with the family?

Dornton. Yes-yes, madam!

Widow. And know his father?

Dornton. Hem-(Shrugs.) Why Though I have kept him company from the day of his birth to this very hour, they tell me I don't know him yet! Widow. Ay indeed! Is he so odd?

Dornton. Sometimes-To my great regret I have sometimes found him a very absurd old gentleman! Widow. I am sorry for it!-Because as I am soon become-hymeneally-his intimate-relation-I -(With maidenly affectation).

to

Dornton. You would wish for a sensible indulgent

Widow. It's natural, sir. (Simpering.)

Widow. Do you think I look tolerably, Jenny?-Papa?-(Smiles.)
(Walking and surveying herself.)-Shall I do execu-
tion? What is the matter, child?

Sophia. Mark my words, he'll never have you.
Widow. Poor thing.
[street door.)
Sophia. He never will. (Knocking heard at the
Widow. Run, Jenny, see who it is. [Exit Jenny.]
Go up to your chamber, child.

Sophia, (Much agitated.) No. I will stay here.
Widow. Begone to your chamber, I say, miss.
Sophia. Beat me if you please, kill me, but I will
not.

Rs-enter JENNY.

Jenny. Here is an elderly gentleman, ma'am, asks to speak to you.

Widow. Will you begone, miss?

Sophia. Since it is not he, I don't want to stay. I only want to look him in the face once more. [Exit.

Widow. How is he dressed?

Jenny. In grey, ma'am.

Widow. In grey? (Considering.)

Jenny. Yes, ma'am.

Widow. In dark grey? (Hoping.)
Jenny. Yes, ma'am.

[Jenny?

Widow. (Eagerly.) Does he look like a parson, Jenny. Why, ma'am, he is a soberly, smug, jobation-looking man enough.

Widow. Let him be shewn in. [Exit Jenny. I dare say it is the divine.

Enter JENNY, introducing MR. DORNTON. Dornton. Your humble servant, madam.

Widow. Sir, your very most humble servant (With great respect.) [me? Dornton. I presume you are unacquainted with Widow. (Simpering) I believe I can penetrate, sirDornton. Can you, madam?

Widow. (With her fan before her face.) You-You come on the-part of-young Mr. Dornton.

Dornton. (Surprised.) I do!

Dornton. Ha! I dare not say too much in his favour.

Widow. Nay, though I have a vast hum-haregard for young Mr. Dornton-I own I have no great predilection of opinion for the father. (Nodding very significantly.)

Dornton. (Suddenly.) Nor he for you, madam!
Widow. Do you think so?

Dornton. I am sure so!

Widow. I warrant, sir, he is, as you say, a very precise acrimonious person.

Dornton. I said no such thing, madam!

Widow. Ah! a little caution, sir, to be sure, becomes gentlemen of your cloth.

Dornton. Cloth again!-I don't know what you older than yourself; nor does he think himself half mean by my cloth! but Mr. Dornton, madam, is little so repugnant.

Widow. Sir!

Dornton. (Recollecting himself.) Madam-I-I beg your pardon-I-(Bowing.)

Widow. (Knocking heard.) Oh! here, I dare say comes the bridegroom.

tell her after this who I am. (Walks up the stage.) Dornton. (Aside.) My curst vivacity! I can never

Enter HARRY DORNTON, in haste.

Widow. (Eagerly.) Oh, you rover!

Harry. Well, my kind widow! (Mr. Dornton turns round at hearing his son's voice, and gradually approaches.) My loving, compassionate widow! I am come post haste to cast myself once more on your bounty! [aid!

Widow. Hush!

Harry. To intreat instant commiseration, and
Widow. Hem! hem! (Aloud.)

Harry. I have not a minute to spare!
Widow. (Whispers.) He's here! He's come!

A

Widow. (Aside.) It is the parson!-Would you be waspish, tetchy-Hem!-(Aloud.) Your friend has

so indulgent as to be seated, sir?

Dornton. Excuse me, madam.

Widow. Would you be pleased to take any re

freshment, sir?

Dornton, Madam!

Widow. A morsel of seed-cake, a French biscuit, a bit of orange-loaf, a glass of constantia, or a jelly? -I know these little cordial comforts are agreeable consolations to gentlemen of your cloth. Dornton. (Surveying himself.) Cloth!

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Harry. My

[ing it.)

Dornton. Here is your money, madam. (OfferHarry. My father saved-? Tol de rol - ! Widow. Nay but-Mr. Dornton !-sir!-(Ready to cry.)

Dornton. I must beg you will take it. Harry. Rejoice, widow! Rejoice! Sing, shout! Tol de rol!

Widow. I do not want the money, sir! Filthy money-(Whimpering restrained.) And as to what I said, though you have arrested Mr. MilfordHarry. Ha! (Starts, considers and looks at his watch.). [Mr. Dornton

Widow. I am sorry-I beg your pardon-And if Dornton. Why don't you speak, Harry? Where are you going? (Harry Dornton crosses hastily.) Come back, Harry!-Stay, I say!

Harry. I cannot stay!-I must fly!-My honour is at stake.

Exit.

Dornton. (Alarmed.) His honour!-His honour at stake!-Here, here, madam!-(Offering money.) Widow. Nay, sir

Dornton. 'Sdeath, madam, take your money.

(Exit.

Widow. Cruel-usage!-Faithless men-BlindStupid! "I'll forsake and forswear the whole sex. (Bursts into tears.)

Enter JENNY, with great glee, on tip-toe, as if she had been on the watch.

Jenny. Ma'am ma'am! Mr. Goldfinch, ma'am! Widow. Hey! Mr Goldfinch?-Was that what you said, Jenny? (Brightens up.) Where?

Jenny. Below, ma'am. I persuaded him to come up, but he is quite surly.

Widow. Oh! he is coming? Well! I think I will see him-Yes-I think I will. [for me. Jenny. I always told you, ma'am, Mr. Goldfinch Widow. Did you?

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Widow. You shall have the promise!
Gold. Oh, ho! Why, then I pull up.

(Returning.) Widow. Barbarous youth: could you leave me? but I must send to Mr. Silky.

Gold. No, no; let me have the promise directly. I'll go myself to Silky.

Widow. Will you, Mr. Goldfinch?

Gold. Will I not? Take a hack, mount the box. Hayait! Scud away for the old scoundrel. I'm a deep one; know the course every inch. I'm the lad for the widow. That's your sort!

Widow. Saucy man; I'll be very angry with you.
Gold. Soon be back.

Widow. Adieu! Fly swiftly, ye minutes.
Gold. But I must have the promise first.
Widow. I will go and write it. Come, dissembler,
[Exit languishing.

come.

Enter MILFORD.

Milford. So, Charles; where's the widow? Gold. The widow's mine.

Milford. Yours?

Gold. I'm the lad; all's concluded; going post for old Silky. (Offers to go at every speech, but is eagerly stopped by Milford.)

Milford. Silky did you say?

Gold. I'm to pay the miserly rascal fifty thousand pounds down. But mum: that's a secret. Milford. You are raving.

Gold. Tellee, he has her on the hip; she can't marry without his consent. Milford. But why? Gold. Don't know.

The close old rogue won't tell. Has got some deed, he says. Some writing. Milford. Indeed!

Jenny. But he says he will have your written promise this very night, or never speak to you Gold. Yes; but it's a secret. I shall be a higher more. I hear him. (Adjusting the Widow's dress.) | fellow than ever, Jack. Go to the second spring La, ma'am, you had better give a few touches-meeting-take you with me-come down a few to hereabout. Your eyes will have double the spirit and fire.

Widow. Will they?

Enter GOLDFINCH.

[Exit.

Gold. Where's the dowager?
Jenny. Hush! Mind what I said to you-It is too
late now for a licence, so be sure get the promise.
Don't flinch.

Gold. Me flinch? Game to the backbone!
Jenny. Hush !

[Exit.

the sweaters and trainers-the knowing ones-the lads. Get into the secret-lay it on thick-seven hundred to five Favourite against the field. Done! I'll do it again! Done! Five times over. Ditto repeated. Done, done. Off they go!-winner lays by-pretends to want foot-Odds rise hightake 'em-winner whispered lame-lags afterodds higher-and higher. Take 'em-creeps up breathes 'em over the flat-works 'em up hillpasses the distance post-still only second-betting

chair in an uproar-neck to neck-lets him out -shows him the whip-shoots by like an arrow -oh! d-e a hollow thing. That's your sort!

[Exit. Milford. Fifty thousand to Silky for his consent because of some instrument, some writing? If it should be the-? It must; by heaven, it must. [Exit hastily.

SCENE IL-The Ring in Hyde Park.

Enter HARRY DORNTON, looking at his watch. Harry. How long must I wait? I see nothing of Milford; I'll cut off that bailiff s ears if he has betrayed me. (Walks about.)

Enter MR. DORNTON out of breath.

Dornton. So, Harry.
Harry. My father again.

Dornton. (Panting.) What do you do here, Harry? Harry. Sir-I-I want air.

Dornton. What you will, Harry; do with me what you will. Oh! who would not be a father! [Exent

SCENE IIL-The House of the Widow Warren Enter MILFORD and MR. SULKY. Milford. The fool, Goldfinch himself, informed me, sir, that Silky is to receive fifty thousand pounds for his consent.

Sulky. Fifty thousand! Zounds! Why then the old scoundrel must have got possession of the will. Milford. Which is indubitably meant to be destroyed. Goldfinch is just returned with Silky. They are now with the widow, all in high glee, and are coming up here immediately, no doubt to settle the business in private.

Sulky. What can be done?

Milford. We must hide ourselves somewhere, and spring upon them.

Sulky. I hate hiding; it's deceit, and deceit is the resource of a rascal.

Milford. But there is no avoiding it. We canDornton. So do I; a pretty dance you have led not get legal assistance in time. Here are two What brought you hither? (Sudden recollec-closets, do you go into one, and I'll shut myself up

me.

tion.) Where's the money you had of the widow? (Pause; seeming to dread an answer.) Where is the money, Harry?

Harry. (Reluctantly.) Gone, sir.
Dornton. Gone!

Harry. Most of it.

Dornton. And your creditors not paid? (Another pause.) And your creditors not paid?

Harry. No, sir.

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[Exit.

Harry. (Advancing.) It is for me, sir. Dornton. How do you know, Harry? Harry. Sir, I am certain. I must begDornton. This is no time for ceremony. (Reads.) Dear Harry, forgive the provocation I have given you; forgive the wrong I have done your father-Me!-I will submit to any disgrace rather than lift my hand against your life. I would have come and apologised even on my knees, but am prevented.

J. MILFORD. (Stands a moment, crumpling the letter.) Why, Harry! What? What is this? Tell me, tell me. It is in paying Milford's debts you have expended Harry. It is, sir. [the money? Dornton. (After raising his clasped hands in rapture, as if to return thanks, suddenly suppresses his feelings.) But how had he wronged me? Why did you come here to fight him?

Harry. Sir-He-he spoke disrespectfully of you. (A pause) Dornton. (With his eyes fired on his son, till 'unable any longer to contain him elf he covers them with one hand and stretches out the other.) Harry!

Harry. (Taking his father's hand but turning his back likewise to conceal his agitation.) My father! Dornton. Harry! Harry! (With struggling affection.) (A pause.)

[ford.

Harry. Dear sir, let us fly to console poor Mil

in the other. We shall hear what they are about, and can burst upon them at the proper moment. Sulky. Well, if it must be so; but it's a vile, paltry refuge. Milford. I hear them coming; make haste. [Exeunt Sulky and Milford into the closets. Enter SILKY, WIDOW, and GOLDFINCH. Sil. Ha, ha, ha! I told you, madam, I should hear from you when you wanted me; I knew it must come to that. But you are a lucky man, Mr. Goldfinch, and I'm a lucky man; ay, and you are a lucky woman too, madam. We are all in luck.

Gold. Ay, d-e, old one, you have been concerned in many a good thing in your time.

Sil. Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha! To be sure I have. I must provide for my family, Mr. Goldfinch.

Widow. It is indeed a fortunate event. Do you not participate my raptures, Mr. Goldfinch?

Gold. To be sure: it's a deep scheme; it's knowing a thing or two; eh, old one? Pigeoning the greenhorns.

Sil. All so safe, too, so snug. I am so pleased, and so happy; it's all our own; not a soul will know of it but our three selves.

Gold. Oh, yes; one more, old one.
Sil. (Alarmed.) Ay, who? who?
Gold. Your father; Belzebub.

Sil. Lord! Mr. Goldfinch, don't terrify me.

Widow. To be sure, it must be owned you are a shocking old rogue, Mr. Silky. But there is no doing without you. So make haste with your deeds and your extortions; for really we should be very glad to be rid of your company.

Sil. Well, well, I'm ready; I'll not long interrupt you amorous haste. I am a man of business; I expected how it would be, and have a legal instrument here, ready drawn up by my own hand; which, when it is signed and sealed, will make all Widow. But where is the will? [safe.

Sil. Oh, I have it. First, however, let us be ser cure. (Locks both the chamber doors, is going to read, but looks round, sees the closet doors, and with great anxiety and cunning locks them too.)

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Gold. You're an old trader in sin. There's no being too deep for you. [finch? Sil. Ah, ha, ha, ha! Do you think so, Mr. GoldGold. But I should like to see you on your deathbed. (A blow from one of the closets.) Sil. Bless my soul! What's that?

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Dornton, I knew your father, sir: 'tis happy for him that he is dead; if you will forsake these courses and apply to trade-(Gold. starts from the table.

Gold. Damn trade! Who's for the spring meeting? Cross 'em and wind 'em! Seven to five you don't name the winner! I'm for life and a curricle! A cut at the caster, and the long odds! Damn trade. The four aces, a back hand, and a lucky nick! I'm a deep one! That's your sort. [Exit.

Sulky. And now, madamWidow. Keep off, monster! You smell of malice, cruelty, and persecution.

Sulky. No, madam: I smell of honesty. A drug you nauseate, but with which you must forcibly be dosed! I have glanced over the will, and find I have the power.

Widow. Let me go, goblin! You are a hideous person, and I hate the sight of you! Your breast is flint. Flint! Unfeeling Gorgon, and I abominate you. [Exit. Sophia. Nay, you are a kind, good cross old soul; and I am sure you will forgive my poor ma'. We ought all to forget and forgive. Ought not we, Mr. Dornton?

Harrg (With rapture, and looking to his father.) Do you hear her, sir?

Dornton Harry has told me of your innocent, pure, and unsuspecting heart. I love you for having called me an ugly monster.

Sophia. (To Harry) La! Mr. Dornton, how Could you

Sulky Harry, give me your hand. You have a generous and a noble hature; but your generosity would have proved more pernicious than even your dissipation. No misfortunes, no not the beggary and ruin of a father, could justify so unprincipled a marriage.

Dornton. And now (to Mr. Sulky.) my friend!
Milford. My father!

Sulky. Who! if you wish to get another word from me to-night, have done. (Turning to Silky.) I hate fawning.

Sil. Ah, Mr. Sulky! you will have your humour. Sulky. The undiscriminating generosity of this young man supported you in your day of distress; for which, serpent-like, you turned to sting your preserver.

Sil. Ah! you will have your humour. 30

Sulky. Yes; and it is my humour to see that your villany shall be exposed in its true colours. Hypocrisy, falsehood, and fraud, are your familiars. To screen your avarice, you made it believed that this gentleman had been the cause of lodging the detainers, and had done the dirty work of which even you were ashamed. But the creditors

ornton. A broken gamester, nurtured in idle-shall receive their full demand. ness, ignorance, and dissipation; whose ridings, racings, and drivings are over, and whose whole train of horses, dogs, curricles, phaetons, and fooles ries must come to the hammer immediately, is no Sophia. Oh, la! sind [great loss.

Dornton. The proposal is just. Listen to that worthy man; and if you can, be honest with a good grace. Every thing will then be readily adjusted, and I hope to the satisfaction of all parties.

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A COMEDY, IN FIVE ACTS.-BY GEORGE FARQUHAR

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ACT I

Y. Mir. "No, MY FAIR ANGEL."-Act iv, scene 2.

SCENE I.-The Street.

Persons Represented.

DUGARD.
PETIT.
BRAVOES.

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ORIANA. BISARRE

LAMORCE.

abroad, but he's too cunning for a domestic; I must dispose of him some way else. Who's here? Old Mirabel, and my sister!-my dearest sister! Enter OLD MIRABEL and ORIANA. Oriana. My brother! Welcome! Dug. Monsieur Mirabel, I'm heartily glad to see you.

Old Mir. Honest Mr. Dugard, by the blood of the Mirabels! I'm your most humble servant.

Dug. Why, sir, you've cast your skin, sure; you're brisk and gay; lusty health about you; no sign of age, but your silver hairs.

Old Mir. Silver hairs! Then they are quicksilver hairs, sir. Whilst I have golden pockets, let my hairs be silver, an' they will. Adsbud! sir, I can dance, and sing, and drink, and-no, I can't wench. But Mr. Dugard, no news of my son Bob in all your travels?

Dug. Your son's come home, sir.

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