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Now, in plain terms, sir, I shall not care to have my poor girl turned a-grazing, and that must be the case when->

Sir J. B. But, pray, consider, sir, my son

Mr Seal. Look you, sir, I'll make the matter short. This unknown lady, as I told you, is all the objection I have to him: but one way or other he is or has been certainly engaged to herI am therefore resolved this very afternoon to visit her now, from her behaviour or appearance I shall soon be let into what I may fear or hope for. Sir J. B. Sir, I am very confident there can be nothing enquired into relating to my son that will not, upon being understood, turn to his advantage.

Mr Seal. I hope that as sincerely as you believe it-Sir John Bevil, when I am satisfied in this great point, if your son's conduct answers the character you give him, I shall wish your alliance more than that of any gentleman in Great Britain, and so your servant.

[Exit. Sir J. B. He is gone in a way but barely civil; but his great wealth, and the merit of his only child, the heiress of it, are not to be lost for a kittle peevishness—————

Enter HUMPHREY.

Oh! Humphrey, you are come in a seasonable minute; I want to talk to thee, and to tell thee, that my head and heart are on the rack about my

son.

Humph. Sir, you may trust his discretion, I am

sure you may.

Sir J. B. Why, I do believe I may, and yet I'm in a thousand fears when I lay this vast wealth before me. When I consider his prepossessions, either generous to a folly in an honourable love, or abandoned past redemption in a vicious one, and, from the one or the other, his insensibility to the fairest prospect towards doubling our estate, a father who knows how useful wealth is, and how necessary even to those who despise it, I say a father, Humphrey, a father, cannot bear it.

Humph. Be not transported, sir; you will grow incapable of taking any resolution in your perplexity.

Sir J. B. Yes, as angry as I am with him, I would not have him surprised in any thing.-This mercantile rough man may go grossly into the examination of this matter, and talk to the gentlewoman so as to

Humph. No, I hope not in an abrupt manner. Sir J. B. No, I hope not! Why, dost thou know any thing of her, or of him, or of any thing of it, or all of it?

Humph. My dear master! I know so much, that I told him this very day, you had reason to be secretly out of humour about her.

Sir J. B. Did you go so far? Well, what said he to that?

Humph. His words were, looking upon me stedfastly, Humphrey, says he, that woman is a

woman of honour.

Sir J. B. How! do you think he is married to her, or designs to marry her?

VOL. IV.

Humph. I can say nothing to the latter-but he says he can marry no one without your consent, while you are living.

Sir J. B. If he said so much, I know he scorns to break his word with me.

Humph. I am sure of that.

Sir J. B. You are sure of that!-Well, that's some comfort then I have nothing to do but to see the bottom of this matter during this present ruffle.-Oh, Humphrey

Humph. You are not ill, I hope, sir.

Sir J. B. Yes, a man is very ill that is in a very ill humour. To be a father, is to be in care for one whom you oftener disoblige than please by that very care.-Oh, that sons could know the duty to a father before they themselves are fathers!-But, perhaps, you'll say now, that I am one of the happiest fathers in the world; but, I assure you, that of the very happiest is not a condition to be envied.

Humph. Sir, your pain arises not from the thing itself, but your particular sense of it. You are over-fond, nay, give me leave to say, you are unjustly apprehensive from your fondness. My master Bevil never disobliged you, and he will, I know he will, do every thing you ought to expect.

Sir J. B. He won't take all this money with this girl-For aught I know, he will, forsooth, have so much moderation, as to think he ought not to force his liking for any consideration.

Humph. He is to marry her, not you; he is to live with her, and not you, sir.

Sir J. B. I know not what to think; but I know nothing can be more miserable than to be in this doubt-Follow me; I must come to some reso[Exeunt.

lution.

SCENE III.-BEVIL Junior's Lodgings.

Enter TOM and PHILLIS.

Tom. Well, madam, if you must speak with Mr Myrtle, you shall; he is now with my master in the library.

Phil. But you must leave me alone with him, for he cann't make me a present, nor I so handsomely take any thing from him before you; it would not be decent.

Tom. It will be very decent, indeed, for me to retire, and leave my mistress with another man. Phil. He is a gentleman, and will treat one properly.

Tom. I believe so-but, however, I won't be far off, and therefore will venture to trust you. I'll call him to you. [Exit TOM.

Phil. What a deal of pother and sputter here is between my mistress and Mr Myrtle from mere punctilio! I could, any hour of the day, get her to her lover, and would do it—but she, forsooth, will allow no plot to get him, but if he can come to her, I know she would be glad of it; I must therefore do her an acceptable violence, and surprise her into his arms. I am sure I go by the best rule imaginable: if she were my maid, I should think her the best servant in the world for doing so by me.

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Enter MYRTLE and TOM.

Oh, sir! you and Mr Bevil are fine gentlemen, to let a lady remain under such difficulties as my poor mistress, and not attempt to set her at liberty, or release her from the danger of being instantly married to Cimberton.

Myrt. Tom has been telling- -But what is

to be done?

Phu. What is to be done!--when a man cann't come at his mistress-why, cann't you fire our house, or the next house to us, to make us run out, and you take us?

Myrt. How, Mrs Phillis

F. Aylet me see that rogue deny to fire a house, make a riot, or any other little thing, when there was no other way to come at me.

Tom. I am obliged to you, madam.

Phil. Why, don't we hear every day of people's hanging themselves for love, and won't they venture the hazard of being hanged for love?-Oh! were I a man

Myrt. What manly thing would you have me undertake, according to your ladyship's notion of a man?

Phil. Only be at once what one time or other you may be, and wish to be, and must be.

Myrt. Dear girl! talk plainly to me, and consider 1, in my condition, cann't be in very good humour-You say, to be at once what I must be. Phil. Ay, ay-I mean no more than to be an old man; I saw you do it very well at the masquerade. In a word, old Sir Geoffry Cimberton is every hour expected in town, to join in the deeds and settlements for marrying Mr Cimberton-He is half blind, half lame, half deaf, half dumb; though, as to his passions and desires, he is as warm and ridiculous as when in the heat of youth.

Tom. Come, to the business, and don't keep the gentleman in suspense for the pleasure of being courted, as you serve me..

Phil. I saw you at the masquerade act such a one to perfection: go, and put on that very habit, and come to our house as Sir Geoffry: there is not one there but myself knows his person; I was born in the parish where he is lord of the manor; I have seen him often and often at church in the country. Do not hesitate, but come thither; they will think you bring a certain security against Mr Myrtle, and you bring Mr Myrtle. Leave the rest to me! I leave this with you, and expectThey don't, I told you, know you; they think you out of town, which you had as good be for ever, if you lose this opportunity.--I must be gone; I know I am wanted at home.

Myrt. My dear Phillis!

[Catches and kisses her, and gives her money. Phit. Oh fie! My kisses are not my own; you have committed violence; but I'll carry 'em to the right owner. [TOM kisses her.] Come, see me down stairs, [To Toм] and leave the lover to think of his last game for the prize.

[Exeunt TOM and PHILLIS.

Myrt. I think I will instantly attempt this wild expedient the extravagance of it will make me less suspected, and it will give me opportunity to assert my own right to Lucinda, without whom I cannot live. But I am so mortified at this conduct of mine towards poor Bevil! he must think mearly of me.I know not how to reassume myself, and be in spirit enough for such an adventure as this yet I must attempt it, if it be only to be near Lucinda under her present perplexities; and sure

The next delight to transport with the fair,
Is to relieve her in her hours of care.

[Exit.

ACT V.

SCENE I.-SEALAND'S House. Enter PHILLIS, with lights before MYRTLE, disguised like old Sir GEOFFRY, supported by Mrs SEALAND, LUCINDA, and CIMBERTON. Mrs Seal. Now I have seen you thus far, Sir Geoffry, will you excuse me a moment, while I give my necessary orders for your accommodation? [Exit Mrs SEALAND. Myrt. I have not seen you, cousin Cimberton, since you were ten years old; and as it is incumbent on you to keep up your name and family, I shall, upon very reasonable terms, join with you in a settlement to that purpose, though I must tell you, cousin, this is the first merchant that has married into our house.

Luc. Deuce on 'em! am I merchant because my father is ? [Aside. Myrt. But is he directly a trader at this time? Cimb. There is no hiding the disgrace, sir; he trades to all parts of the world.

Myrt. We never had one of our family before who descended from persons that did any thing. Cimb. Sir, since it is a girl that they have, I am, for the honour of my family, willing to take it in again, and to sink it into our name, and no harm done.

Myrt. 'Tis prudently and generously resolved Is this the young thing?

Cimb. Yes, sir.

Phil. Good madam! don't be out of humour, but let them run to the utmost of their extravagance Hear them out.

Myrt. Cann't I see her nearer ? my eyes are but weak.

Phil. Beside, I am sure the uncle has something worth your notice. I'll take care to get off the young one, and leave you to observe what may be wrought out of the old one for your good. [Exil. Cimb. Madam, this old gentleman, your great uncle, desires to be introduced to you, and to see you nearer -Approach, sir.

Myrt. By your leave, young lady-[Puts on spectacles.]-Cousin Cimberton, she has exactly that sort of neck and bosom for which my sister Gertrude was so much admired in the year sixtyone, before the French dresses first discovered any thing in women below the chin.

Luc. What a very odd situation I am in! though I cannot but be diverted at the extravagance of their humours, equally unsuitable to their age.-Chin, quoth-a!- -I don't believe my passionate lover there knows whether I have one or not. Ha! ha!

Cimb. Madam, I would not willingly offend, but I have a better glass―

[Pulls out a large one.

Myrt. Hush! 'tis I, 'tis I, your lover; Myr tle himself, madam.

Luc. Oh, bless me! what rashness an folly to surprise me so!- -But hush-my mother

Enter Mrs SEALAND, CIMBERTON, and PHILLIS.
Mrs Seal. How now! what is the matter?

Luc. Oh, madam! as soon as you left the room my uncle fell into a sudden fit, and—and -so I cry'd out for help to support him, and conduct him to his chamber.

Mrs Seal. That was kindly done. Alas, sir! how do you find yourself?

Myrt. Never was taken in so odd a way in my life- -Pray lead me- -Oh, I was talking herePray carry me to my cousin Cimberton's young lady.

Mrs Seal. [Aside.] My cousin Cimberton's young lady! How zealous he is, even in his extremity, for the match! A right Cimberton !

[CIMBERTON and LUCINDA lead him as one

in pain.

Cimb. Pox, uncle, you will pull my ear off! Luc. Pray, uncle, you will squeeze me to death!

*

Mrs Seal. No matter, no matter he knows not what he does. Come, sir, shall I help you

Enter PHILLIS to CIMBERTON. Phil. Sir, my lady desires to shew the apart-out? ment to you that she intends for Sir Geoffry.

Cimb. Well, sir, by that time you have sufficiently gazed and sunned yourself in the beauties of my spouse there, I will wait on you again.

[Exeunt CIM. and PHIL. Myrt. Were it not, madam, that I might be troublesome, there is something of importance, though we are alone, which I would say more safe from being heard.

Luc. There is something in this old fellow, methinks, that raises my curiosity.

Myrt. To be free, madam, I as heartily contemn this kinsman of mine as you do, and am sorry to see so much beauty and merit devoted by your parents to so insensible a possessor.

Luc. Surprising !-I hope then, sir, you will not contribute to the wrong you are so generous to pity, whatever may be the interest of your family.

Myrt. This hand of mine shall never be employ'd to sign any thing against your good and happiness.

Luc. I am sorry, sir, it is not in my power to make you proper acknowledgment, but there is a gentleman in the world whose gratitude will, I'm sure, be worthy of the favour.

Myrt. All the thanks I desire, madam, are in your power to give.

Luc. Name them, and command them. Myrt. Only, madam, that the first time you are alone with your lover you will with open

arms receive him.

Luc. As willingly as heart could wish it.
Myrt. Thus then he claims your promise.
Oh, Lucinda!

Luc. Oh, a cheat, a cheat!

Myrt. By no means; I'll trouble nobody but my young cousins here.

[CIM. and LUC. lead him off. Phil. But pray, madam, does your ladyship intend that Mr Cimberton shall really marry my her. young mistress at last? I don't think he likes

Mrs Seal. That's not material; men of his speculation are above desires.-But be it as it may, now I have given old Sir Geoffry the trou ble of coming up to sign and seal, with what countenance can I be off?

Phil. As well as with twenty others, madam. It is the glory and honour of a great fortune to live in continual treaties, and still to break off; it looks great, madam.

Mrs Seal. True, Phillis-yet to return our blood again into the Cimbertons' is an honour not to be rejected. But were not you saying that Sir John Bevil's creature, Humphrey, has been with Mr Sealand?

Phil. Yes, madam, I overheard them agree that Mr Sealand should go himself and visit this unknown lady that Mr Bevil is so great with, and if he found nothing there to fright him, that Mr Bevil should still marry my young mistress.

Mrs Seal. How! nay, then he shall find she is my daughter as well as his-I'll follow him this instant, and take the whole family along with me. The disputed power of disposing of my own daughter shall be at an end this very night.-— I'll live no longer in anxiety for a little hussy that hurts my appearance wherever I carry her, and for whose sake I seem to be not at all regarded, and that in the best of my days.

Phil. Indeed, madam, if she were married,

your ladyship might very well be taken for Mr Sealand's daughter.

Mrs Seal. Nay, when the chit has not been with me I have heard the men say as much-I'll no longer cut off the greatest pleasure of a woman's life (the shining in assemblies) by her forward anticipation of the respect that's due to her superior-She shall down to Cimberton-hall -she shall-she shall.

Phil. I hope, madam, I shall stay with your ladyship.

Mrs Seal. Thou shalt, Phillis, and I'll place thee then more about me- -But order chairs immediately-I'll be gone this minute.

SCENE II.-Charing-Cross.

[Exeunt.

Enter Mr SEALAND and HUMPHREY. Mr Seal. I am very glad, Mr Humphrey, that you agree with me, that it is for our common good I should look thoroughly into this matter.

Humph. I am indeed of that opinion; for there is no artifice, nothing concealed in our family which ought in justice to be known. I need not desire you, sir, to treat the lady with care and respect.

Mr Seal. Mr Humphrey-I shall not be rude, though I design to be a little abrupt, and come into the matter at once, to see how she will bear upon a surprise

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Humph. That's the door; sir, I wish you success. [While HUMPHREY speaks, SEALAND consults his table book.] I am less concern'd what happens there, because I hear Mr Myrtle is as well lodg'd as old Sir Geoffry, so I am willing to let this gentleman employ himself here to give. them time at home; for I am sure it is necessary for the quiet of our family that Lucinda were dispos'd of out of it, since Mr Bevil's inclination is so much otherwise engaged. [Erit.

Mr Seal. I think this is the door. [Knocks.] I'll carry this matter with an air of authority, to enquire, though I make an errand to begin discourse. [Knocks again, enter a foot boy.] So, young man, is your lady within?

Boy. A-lack, sir! I am but a country boy-I don't know whether she is or noa; but an you'll stay a bit I'll goa and ask the gentlewoman that's with her.

Mr Seal. Why, sirrah, though you are a country boy, you can see, cann't you? you know whether she is at home when you see her, don't you? Boy. Nay, nay, I'm not such a country lad neither, master, to think she is at home because I see her; I have been in town but a month, and I lost one place already for believing my own

eyes.

Mr Seal. Why, sirrah, have you learnt to lie already?

Boy. Ah, master! things that are lies in the country are not lies at London-I begin to know my business a little better than so—but an you please to walk in, I'll call a gentlewoman to you

that can tell you for certain-she can make bold to ask my lady herself.

Mr Seal. Oh, then she is within I find, though you dare not say so.

Boy. Nay, nay, that's neither here nor there; what's the matter whether she is within or no, if she has not a mind to see any body?

Mr Seal. I cann't tell, sirrah, whether you are arch or simple; but, however, get me a direct answer, and here's a shilling for you.

Boy. Will you please to walk in? I'll see what I can do for you.

Mr Seal. I see you will be fit for your business in time, child; but I expect to meet with nothing but extraordinaries in such a house. Boy. Such a house, sir! you ha'n't seen it yet. Pray walk in.

Mr Scal. Sir, I'll wait upon you.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-INDIANA'S House.

Enter ISABELLA and Boy.

Isab. What anxiety do I feel for this poor creature! What will be the end of her? Such a languishing unreserved passion for a man that at last must certainly leave or ruin her, and perhaps both! then the aggravation of the distress is that she dare not believe he will not but I must own, if they are both what they would seem, they are made for one another as much as Adam and Eve were, for there is no other of their kind but themselves. So, Daniel, what news with you?

Boy. Madam, there's a gentleman below would speak with my lady.

Isab. Sirrah, don't you know Mr Bevil yet?

Boy. Madam, 'tis not the gentleman who comes every day and asks for you, and won't go in till he knows whether you are with her or no. Isub. Ha! that's a particular I did not know before. Well, be who it will, let him come up to me,

[Exit Boy, and re-enters with Mr SEALAND. ISABELLA looks amazed.

Mr Seal. Madam, I cann't blame your being a little surpris'd to see a perfect stranger make a visit, and

Isab. I am indeed surpris'd—I see he does not know me.

[Aside.

Mr Seal. You are very prettily lodg'd here, madam; in troth you seem to have every thing in plenty- -a thousand a-year I warrant you, upon this pretty nest of rooms, and the dainty one within them. [Aside, and looking about.

Isab. [Apart.] Twenty years, it seems, have less effect in the alteration of a man of thirty than of a girl of fourteen-he's almost still the same: but, alas! I find by other men as well as himself I am not what I was.-As soon as he spoke, I was convinced 'twas he.-How shall I contain my surprise and satisfaction!—He must not know me yet.

Mr Seal. Madam, I hope I don't give you any disturbance; but there is a young lady here with

whom I have a particular business to discourse, and I hope she will admit me to that favour.

Isab. Why, sir, have you had any notice concerning her? I wonder who could give it you. Mr Seal. That, madam, is fit only to be communicated to herself.

Isab. Well, sir, you shall see her I find he knows nothing yet, nor shall for me: I am resolved I will observe this interlude, this sport of nature and fortune.-You shall see her presently, sir; for now I am as a mother, and will trust her with you. [Exit. Mr Seal. As a mother! right; that's the old phrase for one of those commode ladies who lend out beauty for hire to young gentlemen that have pressing occasions. But here comes the precious lady herself: in troth, a very sightly woman!

Enter INDIANA.

Ind. I am told, sir, you have some affair that requires your speaking with me.

Mr Seal. Yes, madam. There came to my hands a bill drawn by Mr Bevil, which is payable to-morrow, and he, in the intercourse of business, sent it to me, who have cash of his, and desired me to send a servant with it; but I have made bold to bring you the money myself. Ind. Sir, was that necessary?

Mr Seal. No, madam; but to be free with you, the fame of your beauty, and the regard which Mr Bevil is a little too well known to have for you, excited my curiosity.

Ind. Too well known to have for me! Your sober appearance, sir, which my friend described, made me expect no rudeness or absurdity at least. -Who's there? Sir, if you pay the money to a servant 'twill be as well.

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Mr Seal. Pray, madam, be not offended; I came hither on an innocent, nay, a virtuous design; and if you will have patience to hear me, it may be as useful to you, as you are in friendship with Mr Bevil, as to my only daughter, whom I was this day disposing of.

Ind. You make me hope, sir, I have mistaken you: I am compos'd again: be free, say onwhat I am afraid to hear. [Aside.

Mr Seal. I fear'd, indeed, an unwarranted pas sion here, but I did not think it was in abuse of so worthy an object, so accomplish'd a lady, as your sense and mien bespeak-but the youth of our age care not what merit and virtue they bring to shame, so they gratify

Ind. Sir-you are going into very great errors-but as you are pleas'd to say you see something in me that has chang'd at least the colour of your suspicions, so has your appearance alter'd mine, and made me earnestly attentive to what has any way concern'd you, to enquire into my affairs and character.

Mr Seal. How sensibly, with what an air she talks!

Ind. Good sir, be seated-and tell me tenderly-keep all your suspicions concerning me alive, that you may, in a proper and prepared way, ac

quaint me, why the care of your daughter obliges a person of your seeming worth and fortune to be thus inquisitive about a wretched, helpless, friendless-Weeping.] But I beg your pardon -though I am an orphan, your child is not, and your concern for her, it seems, has brought you hither-I'll be compos'd-pray go on, sir.

Mr Seal. How could Mr Bevil be such a monster to injure such a woman!

Ind. No, sir, you wrong him; he has not injured me-my support is from his bounty.

Mr Seal. Bounty! when gluttons give high prices for delicates, they are prodigious bountiful!

Ind. Still, still you will persist in that errorbut my own fears tell me all. You are the gentleman, I suppose, for whose happy daughter he is design'd a husband by his good father, and he has, perhaps, consented to the overture, and he is to be, perhaps, this night a bridegroom.

Mr Seal. I own he was intended such; but, madam, on your account, I am determined to defer my daughter's marriage, till I am satisfied, from your own mouth, of what nature are the obligations you are under to him.

Ind. His actions, sir, his eyes, have only made me think he design'd to make me the partner of his heart. The goodness and gentleness of his demeanour made me misinterpret all; 'twas my own hope, my own passion, that deluded me; he never made one amorous advance to me; his large heart and bestowing hand have only help'd the miserable: nor know I why, but from his mere delight in virtue, that I have been his care, the object on which to indulge and please himself with pouring favours.

Mr Seal. Madam, I know not why it is, but I, as well as you, am methinks afraid of entering into the matter I came about; but 'tis the same thing as if we had talk'd ever so distinctly-he ne'er shall have a daughter of mine.

Ind. If you say this from what you think of me, you wrong yourself and him. Let not me, miserable though I may be, do injury to my benefactor: no, sir, my treatment ought rather to reconcile you to his virtues.-If to bestow without a prospect of return, if to delight in supporting what might, perhaps, be thought an object of desire, with no other view than to be her guard against those who would not be so disinterested, if these actions, sir, can in a careful parent's eye commend him to a daughter, give yours, sir, give her to my honest, generous Bevil!-What have I to do but sigh, and weep, to rave, run wild, a lunatic in chains, or, hid in darkness, mutter in distracted starts and broken accents my strange, strange story!

Mr Seal. Take comfort, madam.

Ind. All my comfort must be to expostulate in madness, to relieve with frenzy my despair, and, shrieking, to demand of Fate why, why was I born to such variety of sorrows!

Mr Seat. If I have been the least occasion— Ind. No; 'twas Heaven's high will I should be such-to be plunder'd in my cradle, toss'd on the

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