cumstances. I should not have proposed the secrecy of our marriage, but for your sake; and with hopes that the most generous sacrifice you have made to love and me, might be less injurious to you, by waiting a lucky moment of reconciliation.

Fan. Hush! hush! for Heaven's sake, my dear Lovewell, don't be so warm! your generosity gets the better of your prudence; you will be heard, and we shall be discovered.I am satisfied-indeed I am -Excuse this weakness, this delicacy, this what you will.-My mind's at peace indeed it is--think no more of it, if you love me!

Lov. That one word has charmed me, as it always does, to the most implicit obedience: it would be the worst of ingratitude in me to distress you a moment. [Kisses her.

Re-enter BETTY.

Bet. [In a low voice.] I'm sorry to disturb you.
Fan. Ha! what's the matter?
Lov. Have you heard any body?

Bet. Yes, yes, I have; and they have heard you too, or I'm mistaken--if they had seen you too, we should have been in a fine quandary!"

Fan. Pr'ythee, don't prate now, Betty!
Lov. What did you hear?

Bet. I was preparing myself, as usual, to take me a little nap

Lov. A nap?

Bet. Yes, sir, a nap; for I watch much better so than wide awake; and when I had wrapped this handkerchief round my head, for fear of the ear-ach from the key-hole, I thought I heard a kind of a sort of buzzing, which I first took for a gnat, and shook my head two or three times, and went so with my hand.

Fan. Well-well-and so

Bet. And so, madam, when I heard Mr Lovewell a little loud, I heard the buzzing louder too —and, pulling off my handkerchief softly, I could hear this sort of noise

[Makes an indistinct sort of noise like speaking. Fan. Well, and what did they say?

Bet. O! I could not understand a word of what was said.

Lov. The outward door is lock'd?

Bet. Yes; and I bolted it too, for fear of the

worst.

Fan. Why did you? they must have heard you, if they were near.

Bet. And I did it on purpose, madam, and cough'd a little too, that they might not hear Mr Lovewell's voice-when I was silent, they were silent, and so I came to tell you.

Fan. What shall we do?

Lop. Fear nothing; we know the worst; it will only bring on our catastrophe a little too soonbut Betty might fancy this noise-she's in the conspiracy, and can make a man of a mouse at any time.

Bet. I can distinguish a man from a mouse as well as my betters-I'm sorry you think so ill of me, sir.

Fan. He compliments you; don't be a fool! -Now you have set her tongue a-running, she'll mutter for an hour. [To LOVEWELL.] I'ÏÍ go and harken myself. [Exit.

Bet. I'll turn my back upon no girl for sincerity and service. [Half aside, and muttering. Lov. Thou art the first in the world for both; and I will reward you soon, Betty, for one and the other.

Bet. I am not mercenary neither-I can live on a little, with a good carreter.

Re-enter FANNY.

Fun. All seems quiet-Suppose, my dear, you go to your own room-I shall be much easier then and to-morrow we will be prepared for the discovery.

Bet. You may discover, if you please; but, for my part, I shall still be secret.

[Half aside, and muttering. Lov. Should I leave you now, if they still are upon the watch, we shall lose the advantage of our delay. Besides, we should consult upon to-morrow's business. Let Betty go to her own room, and lock the outward door after her; we can fasten this; and when she thinks all safe, she may return and let me out as usual.

Bet. Shall I, madam?

Fan. Do! let me have my way to-night, and you shall command me ever after. I would not have you surprised here for the world. Pray leave me! I shall be quite myself again, if you will oblige me.

Lov. I live only to oblige you, my sweet Fanny! I'll be gone this moment. [Going. Fan. Let us listen first at the door, that you may not be intercepted. Betty shall go first, and, if they lay hold of her

Bet. They'll have the wrong sow by the ear, I can tell them that. [Going hastily. Fan. Softly-softly-Betty! don't venture out, if you hear a noise. Softly, I beg of you! See, Mr Lovewell, the effects of indiscretion! Lov. But love, Fanny, makes amends for all. [Excunt all softly.

SCENE II.- Changes to a Gallery which leads to several Bed-chambers.

Enter Miss STERLING, leading Mrs HEIDELBERG in a Night-cap.

Mis Sterl. This way, dear madam, and then I'll tell you all.

Mrs Heidel. Nay, but niece-consider a little -don't drag me out this figure; let me put on my fly-cap!-if any of my lord's fammaly, or the counsellors at law, should be stirring, I should be perdigus disconcerted.

Miss Sterl. But, my dear madam, a moment is an age in my situation. I am sure my sister has been plotting my disgrace and ruin in that chamber-O! she's all craft and wickedness.

Mrs Heidel. Well, but softly, Betsey!-you are all in emotion-Your mind is too much Austrated-you can neither eat, nor drink, nor take

your natural rest-compose yourself, child; for, if we are not as warysome as they are wicked, we shall disgrace ourselves and the whole fammaly.

Miss Sterl. We are disgraced already, madam. Sir John Melvil has forsaken me; my lord cares for nobody but himself; or, if any body, it is my sister; my father, for the sake of a better bargain, would marry me to a 'Change broker; so that, if you, madam, don't continue my friend-if you forsake me if I am to lose my best hopes and consolation-in your tenderness-and affections -I had better-at once-give up the matterand let my sister enjoy-the fruits of her treachery-trample with scorn upon the rights of her elder sister, the will of the best of aunts, and the weakness of a too interested father.

[She pretends to be bursting into tears all this speech.

Mrs Heidel. Don't, Betsey-keep up your spurrit-I hate whimpering-I am your friend-depend upon me in every particular-but be composed, and tell me what new mischief you have discovered?

Miss Sterl. I had no desire to sleep, and would not undress myself, knowing that my Machiavel sister would not rest till she had broke my heart: -I was so uneasy that I could not stay in my room; but, when I thought that all the house was quiet, I sent my maid to discover what was going forward; she immediately came back, and told me that they were in high consultation; that she had heard only, (for it was in the dark,) my sister's maid conduct Sir John Melvil to her mistress, and then lock the door.

Mrs Heidel. And how did you conduct yourself in this dalimma?

Miss Sterl. I returned with her, and could hear a man's voice, though nothing that they said distinctly; and you may depend upon it, that Sir John is now in that room, that they have settled the matter, and will run away together before morning, if we don't prevent them.

Mrs Heidel. Why, the brazen slut! she has got her sister's husband (that is to be) lock'd up in her chamber! at night too!-I tremble at the thoughts!

Mis Sterl. Hush, madam! I hear something. Mrs Heidel. You frighten me-let me put on my fly-cap-I would not be seen in this figur for the world.

Miss Sterl. 'Tis dark, madam; you cann't be

a little reason; that cannot possibly do your vir tue any harm.

Cham. But you may do me harm, Mr Brush, and a great deal of harm too; pray let me go; I am ruined if they hear you; I tremble like an asp. Brush. But they sha'n't hear us; and if you have a mind to be ruined, it shall be the making of your fortune, you little slut, you! therefore I say it again, if you have no love, hear a little reason!

Cham. I wonder at your impurence, Mr Brush, to use me in this manner; this is not the way to keep me company, I assure you. You are a townrake, I see, and now you are a little in liquor, you fear nothing.

Brush. Nothing, by Heavens, but your frowns, most amiable chambermaid; I am a little electri fied, that's the truth on't; I am not used to drink port, and your master's is so heady, that a pint of it oversets a claret-drinker.

Cham. Don't be rude! bless me !-I shall be ruined-what will become of me?

Brush. I'll take care of you, by all that's honourable.

Cham. You are a base man to use me so-I'l cry out, if you don't let me go. That is Miss Sterling's chamber, that Miss Fanny's, and that Madam Heidelberg's.

Brush. And that my lord Ogleby's, and that my Lady What-d'ye-call-em: I don't mind such folks when I'm sober, much less when I am whim sical-rather above that too.

Cham. More shame for you, Mr Brush !—you terrify me-you have no modesty.

Brush. O, but I have, my sweet spider-brusher! --for instance; I reverence Miss Fanny-she's a most delicious morsel, and fit for a prince.With all my horrors of matrimony, I could marry her myself—but for her sister

Miss Sterl. There, there, madam, all in a story! Cham. Bless me, Mr Brush!--I heard some thing!

Brush. Rats, I suppose, that are gnawing the old timbers of this execrable old dungeon-If it was mine, I would pull it down, and fill your fine canal up with the rubbish; and then I should get rid of two damn'd things at once.

Cham. Law! law! how you blaspheme !-we shall have the house upon our heads for it.

Brush. No, no, it will last our time—but, as I was saying, the eldest sister-Miss Jezebel— Cham. Is a fine young lady, for all your evil tongue.

Brush. No-we have smoaked her already; and, unless she marries our old Swiss, she can have none of us-No, no, she won't do-we are a little too nice.

Cham. You're a monstrous rake, Mr Brush, and don't care what you say.

Brush. Why, for that matter, my dear, I am a little inclined to mischief; and if you don't have pity upon me, I will break open that door, and ravish Mrs Heidelberg.

ing this-you profligate monster! Mrs Heidel. [Coming forward] There's no bear Cham. Ha! I am undone!

Brush. Zounds! here she is, by all that's monstrous ! [Runs off. Miss Sterl. A fine discourse you have had with that fellow !

Mrs Heidel. And a fine time of night it is to be here with that drunken monster!

Miss Sterl. What have you to say for yourself? Cham. I can say nothing-I'm so frightened, and so ashamed-but indeed I am vartuous-I am vartuous, indeed.

Mrs Heidel. Well, well-don't tremble so; but tell us what you know of this horrible plot here. Miss Sterl. We'll forgive you, if you'll discover

all.

Cham. Why, madam-don't let me betray my fellow servants-I sha'n't sleep in my bed, if I

do.

Mrs Heidel. Then you shall sleep somewhere else to-morrow night.

Cham. O dear! what shall I do? Mrs Heidel. Tell us this moment, or I'll turn you out of doors directly.

Cham. Why, our butler has been treating us below in his pantry-Mr Brush forced us to make a kind of a holiday night of it.

Miss Sterl. Holiday! for what? Cham. Nay, I only made one. Miss Sterl. Well, well; but upon what account? Cham. Because, as how, madam, there was a change in the family, they said, that his honour, Sir John, was to marry Miss Fanny instead of your ladyship.

Miss Sterl. And so you make a holiday for that -Very fine!

Cham. I did not make it, ma'am.

Mrs Heidel, But do you know nothing of Sir John's being to run away with Miss Fanny tonight?

Cham. No, indeed, maʼam !

Miss Sterl. Nor of his being now locked up in my sister's chamber?

Cham. No, as I hope for marcy, ma'am. Mrs Heidel. Well, I'll put an end to all this directly do you run to my brother Sterling

Cham. Now, ma'am!-'Tis so very late, maʼamMrs Heidel. I don't care how late it is. Tell him there are thieves in the house-that the house is on fire-tell him to come here immediately— Go, I say.

Cham. I will, I will, though I'm frighten'd out of my wits. [Exit. Mrs Heidel. Do you watch here, my dear; and I'll put myself in order, to face them. We'll plot 'em, and counter-plot 'em too.

[Exit into her chamber. Miss Sterl. I have as much pleasure in this revenge, as in being made a countess.-Ha! they are unlocking the door.- -Now for it! [Retires.

FANNY'S Door is unlock'd, and BETTY comes out with a Candle. Miss STERLING approaches her. Bet. [Calling within.] Sir! sir!-now's your time-all's clear. [Seeing Miss STERL.] Stay, stay -not yet-we are watch'd.

Miss Sterl. And so you are, madam Betty.

[Miss STERL. lays hold of her, while BETTY locks the door, and puts the key into her pocket. Bet. [Turning round.] What's the matter, madam?

Miss Sterl. Nay, that you shall tell my father and aunt, madam.

Bet. I am no tell-tale, madam, and no thief; they'll get nothing from me.

Miss Sterl. You have a great deal of courage, Betty; and, considering the secrets you have to keep, you have occasion for it.

Bet. My mistress shall never repent her good opinion of me, maʼam.

Mrs Heidel. Now I'm prepared for the rancounter.- -Well, brother, have you heard of this scene of wickedness?

Steri. Not I-but what is it? speak.—I was got into my little closet, all the lawyers were in bed, and I had almost lost my senses in the confusion of Lord Ogleby's mortgages, when I was alarmed with a foolish girl, who could hardly speak; and whether it's fire, or thieves, or murder, or a rape, I'm quite in the dark.

Mrs Heidel. No, no, there's no rape, brother! -all parties are willing, I believe.

Miss Sterl. Who's in that chamber? [Detaining BET. who seemed to be stealing away. Bet. My mistress.

Miss Sterl. And who's with your mistress?
Bet. Why, who should there be?

Mis Sterl. Open the door then, and let us see. Bet. The door is open, madam. [Miss STERL. goes to the door.] I'll sooner die than peach. [Exit hastily.

Miss Ster!. The door is lock'd ; and she has got the key in her pocket.

Mrs Heidel. There's impudence, brother! piping hot from your daughter Fanny's school!

Sterl. But, zounds! what is all this about? You tell me of a sum total, and you don't produce the particulars.

Mrs Heidel. Sir John Melvil is locked up in your daughter's bed-chamber-There is the particular. Sterl. The devil he is!That's bad.

Miss Sterl. And he has been there some time

your affection; and I shall do as much by my obedience; unnatural fathers make unnatural children. My revenge is in my own power, and I'll indulge it.Had they made their escape, I should have been exposed to the derision of the world: but the deriders shall be derided; and so -help! help there! thieves! thieves! Mrs Heidel. Tit-for-tat, Betsey! you are right, my girl.

Sterl. Zounds! you'll spoil all-you'll raise the whole family-the devil's in the girl.

Mrs Heidel. No, no; the devil's in you, brother; I am ashamed of your principles.-What! would you connive at your daughter's being locked with her sister's husband? Help! thieves! up. thieves! I say [Cries out. Sterl. Sister, I beg you!-daughter, I command you! If you have no regard for me, consider yourselves! -we shall lose this opportunity of ennobling our blood, and getting above twenty per cent. for our money.

Mrs Heidel. You'll be ashamed to know, gen. tlemen, that all your labours and studies about this young lady are thrown away-Sir John Mel vil is at this moment locked up with this lady's younger sister.

Flow. The thing is a little extraordinary, to be sure; but, why were we to be frighten'd out of our beds for this? Could not we have tried this cause to-morrow morning?

Miss Sterl. But, sir, by to-morrow morning, perhaps, even your assistance would not have been of any service-the birds now în that cage would have flown away.

Enter Lord OGLEBY, in his Robe-de-chambre, Night-cap, &c. leaning on CANTON. Lord Og. I had rather lose a limb than my night's rest. What's the matter with you all? Sterl. Ay, ay, 'tis all over!-Here's my lord

too.

hope?

Sterl, Ay, ay, you may save your lungs-the house is in an uproar; women at best have no discretion; but in a passion they'll fire a house, or burn themselves in it, rather than not be revenged.

Enter CANTON, in a Night-gown and Slippers. Can. Eh, diable! vat is de raison of dis great noise, dis tintamarre ?

Sterl. Ask those ladies, sir; 'tis of their making. Lord Og. [Calls within.] Brush! Brush!-Canton! where are you?-What's the matter? [Rings a bell.] Where are you?

Sterl. 'Tis my lord calls, Mr Canton. Can. I come, mi lor![Exit CANTON. [Lord OGLEBY still rings. Serj. Flow. [Calls within.] A light! a light here! -where are the servants? Bring a light for me and my brothers.

Sterl. Lights here! lights for the gentlemen! [Exit STERLING. Mrs Heidel. My brother feels, I see-your sister's turn will come next.

Miss Sterl. Ay, ay, let it go round, madam, it is the only comfort I have left.

Re-enter STERLING, with lights, before Serjeant FLOWER, with one boot and a slipper, and TRA

VERSE.

Sterl. This way, sir! this way, gentlemen!

Flow. Well, but, Mr Sterling, no danger I hope? Have they made a burglarious entry? Are you prepared to repulse them? I am very much alarmed about thieves at circuit-time. They would be particularly severe with us gentlemen of the bar. Trav. No danger, Mr Sterling, no trespass, I hope!

Sterl. None, gentlemen, but of those ladies' making.

Mrs Heidel. Your angelic Fanny, my lord, is lock'd up with your angelic nephew in that

chamber.

Lord Og. My nephew! then will I be excommunicated.

Mrs Heidel. Your nephew, my lord, has been plotting to run away with the younger sister; and the younger sister has been plotting to ran away with your nephew: and if we had not watched them, and call'd up the fammaly, they had been upon the scamper to Scotland by this time.

Lord Og. Look'e, ladies! I know that Sir John has conceived a violent passion for Miss Fanny; and I know too that Miss Fanny has conceived a violent passion for another person; and I am so well convinced of the rectitude of her affections, that I will support them with my fortune, my honour, and my life.- -Eh, sha'n't I, Mr Sterling? [Smiling.] what say you?

Sterl. [Suikily.] To be sure, my lord. These bawling women have been the ruin of every thing. (Aside

Lord Og. But come, I'll end this business in a trice-if you, ladies, will compose yourselves, and Mr Sterling will ensure Miss Fanny from violence, I will engage to draw her from her pillow with a whisper through the key-hole.

Mrs Heidel. The horrid creatures!-I say, my lord, break the door open.

Lord Og. Let me beg of your delicacy not to be too precipitate! Now to our experiment! [Advancing towards the door. Miss Sterl. Now, what will they do?-my heart will beat through my bosom.

Enter BETTY with the key.

Bet. There's no occasion for breaking open ought to be ashamed of, and my mistress shall doors, my lord; we have done nothing that we [Going to unlock the door. Mrs Heidel. There's impudence!

face her enemies.

Lord Og The mystery thickens. Lady of| the bedchamber, [To BETTY.] open the door, and entreat Sir John Melvil (for the ladies will have it that he is there) to appear, and answer to high crimes and misdemeanors.-Call Sir John Melvil into the court!

Enter Sir JOHN MELVIL or the other Side.
Sir John. I am here, my lord.
Mrs Heidel. Hey-day!

Miss Sterl. Astonishment!

Sir John. What's all this alarm and confusion? there is nothing but hurry in the house; what is the reason of it?

Lord Og. Because you have been in that chamber: have been! nay, you are at this moment, as these ladies have protested, so don't deny it—

Trav. This is the clearest alibi I ever knew, Mr Serjeant.

Flow. Luce clarius.

Lord Og. Upon my word, ladies, if you have often these frolics, it would be really entertaining to pass a whole summer with you. But come [To BETTY.] open the door, and entreat your amiable mistress to come forth, and dispel all our doubts with her smiles.

Bet. [Opening the door.] Madam, you are wanted in this room. [Pertly.

Enter FANNY, in great confusion. Miss Sterl. You see she's ready dressed-and what confusion she's in!

Mrs Heidel. Ready to pack off, bag and baggage! her guilt confounds her!

Flow. Silence in the court, ladies! Fun. I am confounded, indeed, madam! Lord Og. Don't droop, my beauteous lily! but, with your own peculiar modesty, declare your state of mind.-Pour conviction into their ears and raptures into mine. [Smiling. Fan. I am at this moment the most unhappy -most distressed-the tumult is too much for my heart-and I want the power to reveal a secret, which to conceal has been the misfortune and misery of my[Faints away. Lord Og. She faints; help, help! for the fairest and best of women!

Bet. [Running to her.] O, my dear mistress! -help, help, there!

Sir John. Ha! let me fly to her assistance.

LOVEWELL rushes out of the Chamber. Lov. My Fanny in danger! I can contain no longer.-Prudence were now a crime; all other cares were lost in this!-speak, speak, speak to me, my dearest Fanny!-let me but hear thy voice, open your eyes, and bless me with the smallest sign of life!

[During this speech they are all in amazement. Miss Sterl. Lovewell! -I am casy.

Mrs Heidel. I am thunderstruck!
Lord Og. I am petrified!

Sir John. And I undone !

Fan. [Recovering.] Q, Lovewell!-even supported by thee, I dare not look my father nor his fordship in the face.

Sterl. What now! did not I send you to London, sir?

Lord Og. Eh!-What! How's this? by what right and title have you been half the night in that lady's bed-chamber?

Lov. By that right which makes me the happiest of men; and by a title which I would not forego for any the best of kings could give.

Bet. I could cry my eyes out to hear his magnimity.

Lord Og. I am annihilated!

Sterl. I have been choked with rage and wonder; but now I can speak.-Zounds, what have you to say to me? Lovewell, you are a villain. -You have broke your word with me.

Fan. Indeed, sir, he has not-you forbad him to think of me when it was out of his power to obey you; we have been married these four months.

Sterl And he sha'n't stay in my house four hours. What baseness and treachery! As for you, you shall repent this step as long as you live, madam.

Fan. Indeed, sir, it is impossible to conceive the tortures I have already endured in consequence of my disobedience. My heart has continually upbraided me for it; and, though I was too weak to struggle with affection, I feel that I must be miserable for ever without your forgive

ness.

Sterl. Lovewell you shall leave my house directly; and you shall follow him, madam.

Lord Og. And if they do, I will receive them into mine. Look ye, Mr Sterling, there have been some mistakes, which we had all better forget for our own sakes; and the best way to forget them is to forgive the cause of them; which I do from my soul.-Poor girl! I swore to support her affection with my life and fortune ;'tis a debt of honour, and must be paid-you swore as much too, Mr Sterling; but your laws in the city will excuse you, I suppose; for you never strike a balance without errors excepted.

Sterl. I am a father, my lord; but, for the sake of all fatbers, I think I ought not to forgive her, for fear of encouraging other silly girls like herself to throw themselves away without the consent of their parents.

Lov. I hope there will be no danger of that, sir. Young ladies, with minds like my Fanny's, would startle at the very shadow of vice; and when they know to what uneasiness only an indiscretion has exposed her, her example, instead of encouraging, will rather serve to deter them.

Mrs Heidel. Indiscretion, quoth-a! a mighty pretty delicate word to express disobedience!

Lord Og. For my part, I indulge my own passions too much to tyrannize over those of other people. Poor souls, I pity them. And you must forgive them too. Come, come, melt a little of your flint, Mr Sterling!

Sterl. Why, why, as to that, my lord-to be sure he is a relation of yours, my lordwhat say you, sister Heidelberg?

her.

Mrs Heidel. The girl's ruin'd, and I forgive