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Charles. Mr. Belcour, we have mistaken each other; let us exchange forgiveness. I am convinced you intended no affront to my sister, and ask your pardon for the expression I was betrayed into.

Bel. 'Tis enough, sir; the error began on my side, and was Miss Dudley here, I would be the first to

atone.

Stock. Let us all adjourn to my house, and conclude the evening like friends: you will find a little entertainment ready for you; and, if I am not mistaken, Miss Dudley and her father will make part of our company. Come, major, do you consent ?

O'Fla. Most readily, Mr. Stockwell; a quarrel well made up, is better than a victory hardly earned. Give me your hand, Belcour; o'my conscience you are too honest for the country you live in. And now, my dear lad, since peace is concluded on all sides, I have a discovery to make to you, which you must find out for yourself, for deuce take me if I rightly comprehend it, only that your aunt Rusport is in a conspiracy against you, and a vile rogue of a lawyer, whose name I forget, at the bottom of it.

Charles. What conspiracy? Dear major, recollect yourself.

O'Fla. By my soul, I've no faculty at recollecting myself; but I've a paper somewhere about me, that will tell you more of the matter than I can. When I get to the merchant's, I will endeavour to find it.

Charles. Well, it must be in your own way; but I confess you have thoroughly rous'd my curiosity. [Ex.

SCENE II.

STOCKWELL's House. Enter Captain DUDLEY, LOUISA, and STUKELY.

Dud. And are those wretches, Fulmer and his wife, in safe custody?

Stuke. They are in good hands, I accompanied them to the tavern, where your son was to be, and then went in search of you. You may be sure Mr. Stockwell will enforce the law against them as far as it will go.

Dud. What mischief might their cursed machina< tions have produced, but for this timely discovery!

Lou. Still I am terrified; I tremble with apprehen. sion lest Mr. Belcour's impetuosity and Charles's spirit should not wait for an explanation, but drive them both to extremes, before the mistake can be unravell'd.

Stuke. Mr. Stockwell is with them, madam, and you have nothing to fear; you cannot suppose he wou'd ask you hither for any other purpose but to celebrate their reconciliation, and to receive Mr. Belcour's atonement.

Dud. No, no, Louisa, Mr. Stockwell's honour and discretion guard us against all danger or offence; he well knows we will endure no imputation on the honour of our family, and he certainly has invited us to receive satisfaction on that score in an amicable way.

Lou. Wou'd to Heaven they were return'd! Stuke. You may expect them every minute; and see, madam, agreeable to your wish, they are here.

[Exit.

SCENE III.

Enter CHARLES, and afterwards STOCKWELL and O'FLAHERTY.

Lou. O Charles, O brother, how cou'd you serve me so, how cou'd you tell me you was going to Lady Rusport's, and then set out with a design of fighting Mr. Belcour? But where is he? Where is your antagonist?

Stock. Captain, I am proud to see you; and you, Miss Dudley, do me particular honour. We have been adjusting, sir, a very extraordinary and dangerous mistake, which I take for granted my friend Stukely has explain'd to you.

Dud. He has; I have too good an opinion of Mr. Belcour to believe he cou'd be guilty of a design'd affront to an innocent girl, and I am much too well acquainted with your character to suppose you cou’d abet him in such design; I have no doubt, therefore, all things will be set to rights in very few words, when we have the pleasure of seeing Mr. Belcour,

Stock. He has only stept into the compting-house, and will wait upon you directly. You will not be øver strict, madam, in weighing Mr. Belcour's con

duct to the minutest scruple; his manners, passions, and opinions are not as yet assimilated to this climate; he comes amongst you a new character, an inhabitant of a new world, and both hospitality, as well as pity, recommend him to our indulgence.

SCENE IV.

Enter BELCOUR, who bows to Miss DUDLEY.

Bel. I am happy and asham'd to see you; no man in his senses wou'd offend you; I forfeited mine, and err'd against the light of the sun, when I overlook'd your virtues; but your beauty was predominant, and hid them from my sight; I now perceive I was the dupe of a most improbable report, and humbly entreat your pardon.

Lou. Think no more of it; 'twas a mistake.

Bel. My life has been compos'd of little else; 'twas founded in mystery, and has continued in error: I was once given to hope, Mr. Stockwell, that you was to have deliver'd me from these difficulties; but either I do not deserve your confidence, or I was deceiv'd in my expectations.

Stock. When this lady has confirm'd your pardon, I shall hold you deserving of my confidence.

Lou. That was granted the moment it was ask'd. Bel. To prove my title to his confidence, honour me so far with yours, as to allow me a few minutes conversation in private with you.

[She turns to her father.

Dud. By all means, Louisa; come, Mr. Stockwell,

let us go into another room.

Charles. And now, Major O'Flaherty, I claim your promise of a sight of the paper, that is to unravel this conspiracy of my aunt Rusport's: I think I have waited with great patience.

O'Fla. I have been endeavouring to call to mind what it was I overheard; I've got the paper, and will give you the best account I can of the whole transaction.

1

[Exeunt.

SCENE V.

Enter BELCOUR and LOUISA.

Bel. Miss Dudley, I have solicited this audience, to repeat to you my penitence and confusion. How shall I atone? What reparation can I make to you and virtue ?

Lou. To me there's nothing due, nor any thing demanded of you but your more favourable opinion for the future, if you should chance to think of me. Upon the part of virtue I'm not empower'd to speak; but if hereafter, as you range thro' life, you shou'd surprise her in the person of some wretched female, poor as myself, and not so well protected, enforce not your advantage, complete not your licentious tri. umph, but raise her, rescue her from shame and sor row, and reconcile her to herself again.

Bel. I will, I will: by bearing your idea ever present in my thoughts, virtue shall keep an advocate

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