start nor stare! you wasn't afraid of your own conscience, never be afraid of me. Enter O'FLAHERTY, hastily. O'Fla. Run, run! for holy St Antony's sake, Var. Of you, sir! who are you, pray? to horse and away! The conference is broke up, O'Fla. I'll tell you who I am: you seem to and the old lady advances upon a full Pied- wish to be honest, but want the heart to set about montese trot, within pistol-shot of your encamp it. Now, I am the very man in the world to make you so; for, if you do not give me up that paper this very instant, by the soul of me, fellow, I will not leave one whole bone in your skin that sha'n't be broken. ment. Char. Here, here! down the back-stairs! O Charles, remember me ! Charles. Farewell! Now, now I feel myself a coward. [Exit. Char. What does he mean? Var. What right have you, pray, to take this paper from me ? O'Fla. Ask no questions, but be gone: she O'Fla. What right have you, pray, to keep it has cooled the lad's courage, and wonders he feels from young Dudley? I don't know what it conlike a coward. There's a damned deal of mischieftains, but I am apt to think it will be safer in my brewing between this hyena and her lawyer: egad, hands than in yours; therefore, give it me without I'll step behind this screen and listen: a good more words, and save yourself a beating: do now; soldier must sometimes fight in ambush as well as you had best. open field. [Retires. Enter LADY RUSPORT and VARLAND. Lady Rus. Sure I heard somebody. Hark! No; only the servants going down the back-stairs. Well, Mr Varland, I think then we are agreed: you'll take my money; and your conscience no longer stands in your way. Var. Your father was my benefactor; his will ought to be sacred; but, if I commit it to the flames, how will he be the wiser? Dudley, 'tis true, has done me no harm; but five thousand pounds will do me much good: so, in short, madam, I take your offer; I will confer with my clerk, who witnessed the will; and to-morrow morning put it into your hands, upon condition you put five thousand good pounds into mine. Lady Rus. 'Tis a bargain: I'll be ready for you: farewell. [Exit. Var. Well, sir, I may as well make a grace of necessity. There! I have acquitted my consci. ence at the expence of five thousand pounds. O'Fla. Five thousand pounds! Mercy upon me !-When there are such temptations in the law, can we wonder if some of the corps are a disgrace to it? Var. Well, you have got the paper; if you are an honest man, give it to Charles Dudley. O'Fla. An honest man! look at me, friend. I am a soldier; this is not the livery of a knave: I am an Irishman, honey; mine is not the country of dishonour. Now, sirrah, be gone; if you enter these doors, or give Lady Rusport the least item of what has passed, I will cut off both your ears, and rob the pillory of its due. Var. I wish I was once fairly out of his sight Enter STOCKWELL. [Exeunt. Var. Let me consider-Five thousand pounds, SCENE VIII.-A Room in STOCKWELL's House. prompt payment, for destroying this scrap of pa per, not worth five farthings; 'tis a fortune easily earned; yes; and 'tis another man's fortune easily thrown away: 'tis a good round sum to be paid down at once for a bribe; but 'tis a damned rogue's trick in me to take it. O'Fla. So, so this fellow speaks truth to himself, though he lies to other people-But hush! [Aside. Var. 'Tis breaking the trust of my benefactor; that's a foul crime ! but he's dead, and can never reproach me with it: and 'tis robbing young Dudley of his lawful patrimony; that's a hard case: but he's alive, and knows nothing of the matter. O'Fla. These lawyers are so used to bring off the rogueries of others, that they are never without an excuse for their own. [Aside. Var. Were I assured now, that Dudley would give me half the money for producing this will, that Lady Rusport does for concealing it, I would deal with him, and be an honest man at half price. I wish every gentleman of my profession could lay his hand on his heart, and say the same thing. O'Fla. A bargain, old gentleman! Nay, never Stock. I must disclose myself to Belcour; this noble instance of his generosity, which old Dudley has been relating, allies me to him at once; concealment becomes too painful; I shall be proud to own him for my son-But see, he's here! BELCOUR enters, and throws himself upon a sofa. Bel. O my cursed tropical constitution! Would to Heaven I had been dropt upon the snows of Lapland, and never felt the blessed influence of the sun, so I had never burnt with these inflammatory passions! Stock. So, so! you seem disordered, Mr Belcour? Bel. Disordered, sir! Why did I ever quit the soil in which I grew? what evil planet drew me from that warm sunny region, where naked nature walks without disguise, into this cold, contriving, artificial country! Stock. Come, sir, you've met a rascal-what of that? general conclusions are illiberal. Bel. No, sir; I've met reflection by the way; I've come from folly, noise, and fury, and met a silent monitor-Well, well, a villain!-'twas not to be pardoned-pray never mind me, sir. Stock. Alas, my heart bleeds for him! Bel. And yet I might have heard him now, plague upon that blundering Irishman for coming in as he did! the hurry of the deed might palliate the event: deliberate execution has less to plead.-Mr Stockwell, I am bad company to you. Stock. Oh, sir, make no excuse. I think you have not found me forward to pry into the secrets of your pleasures and pursuits; 'tis not my disposition; but there are times, when want of curiosity would be want of friendship. Bel. Ah, sir, mine is a case wherein you and I shall never think alike; the punctilious rules, by which I am bound, are not to be found in your ledgers, nor will pass current in the counting house of a trader. Stock. 'Tis very well, sir: if you think I can render you any service, it will be worth your trial to confide in me; if not, your secret is safer in your own bosom. Bel. That sentiment demands my confidence: pray, sit down by me. You must know, I have an affair of honour on my hands with young Dudley; and, though I put up with no man's insult, yet I wish to take away no man's life. Stock. I know the young man, and am apprised of your generosity to his father: what can have bred a quarrel between you? Bel. A foolish passion on my side, and a haughty provocation on his. There is a girl, Mr Stockwell, whom I have unfortunately seen, of most uncommon beauty. She has, withal, an air of so much natural modesty, that had I not had good assurance of her being an attainable wanton, I declare I should as soon have thought of attempting the chastity of Diana. Enter Servant. Stock. Hey-day, do you interupt us? Serv. Sir, there's an Irish gentleman will take no denial: he says he must see Mr Belcour directly, upon business of the last consequence. Bel. Admit him: 'tis the Irish officer that parted us, and brings me young Dudley's challenge: I should have made a long story of it, and he'll tell you in three words. Enter O'FLAHERTY, O'Fla. Save you, my dear: and you, sir! I have a little bit of a word in private for you. Bel. Pray deliver your commands: this gentle man is my intimate friend. O'Fla. Why, then, Ensign Dudley will be glad to measure swords with you, yonder, at the London Tavern, in Bishopsgate-street, at nine o'clock -you know the place? Bel. I do; and shall observe the appointment. O'Fla. Will you be of the party, sir? We shall want a fourth hand. Stock. Savage as the custom is, I close with your proposal; and, though I am not fully inform ed of the occasion of your quarrel, I shall rely on Mr Belcour's honour for the justice of it; and willingly stake my life in his defence. O'Fla. Sir, you're a gentleman of honour, and I shall be glad of being better known to youBut hark'e, Belcour, I had like to have forgot part of my errand: there is the money you gave old Dudley; you may tell it over, 'faith; 'tis a receipt in full: now the lad can put you to death with a safe conscience; and when he has done that job for you, let it be a warning how you attempt the sister of a man of honour, Bel. The sister! O'Fla. Ay, the sister; 'tis English, is it not? Or Irish; 'tis all one: you understand me? his sister, or Louisa Dudley, that's her name, I think, call her which you will. By St Patrick, 'tis a foolish piece of a business, Belcour, to go about to take away a poor girl's virtue from her, when there are so many to be met in this town, who have disposed of theirs to your hands. [Exits Stock. Why, I am thunderstruck! What is it you have done, and what is the shocking business in which I have engaged! If I understood him right, 'tis the sister of young Dudley you've been attempting: you talked to me of a professed wanton! the girl he speaks of has beauty enough indeed to inflame your desires, but she has honour, innocence, and simplicity, to awe the most licentious passion: if you have done that, Mr Belcour, I renounce you, I abandon you, I forswear all fellowship or friendship with you for ever. Bel. Have patience for a moment we do indeed speak of the same person-but she is not innocent; she is not young Dudley's sister. Stock. Astonishing! Who told you this? Bel. The woman where she lodges; the person who put me on the pursuit, and contrived our meetings. Stock. What woman? what person ? Bel. Fulmer her name is: I warrant you I did not proceed without good grounds. Stock. Fulmer! Fulmer!- -Who waits? Stock. With a view, no doubt, to bribe her to character; I did not know what disgrace attendcompliance? ed the detection of it. Bel. I own it. Stock. For shame, for shame! and 'twas this woman's intelligence you relied upon for Miss Dudley's character? Bel I thought she knew her; by Heaven, I would have died sooner than have insulted a woman of virtue, or a man of honour! Stock. I think you would: but mark the danger of licentious courses: you are betrayed, robbed, abused, and, but for this providential discovery, in a fair way of being sent out of the world with all your follies on your head- Dear Stukely, go to my neighbour, tell him I have an owner for the jewels, and beg him to carry the people under custody to the London Tavern, and wait for me there. [Exit STUKELY.]-I fear the law does not provide a punishment to reach the yillainy of these people; but how, in the name of wonder, could you take any thing on the word of such an informer? Bel. Because I had not lived long enough in your country to know how few informers' words are to be taken: persuaded, however, as I was of Miss Dudley's guilt, I must own to you, I was staggered with the appearance of such innocence, especially when I saw her admitted into Miss Rusport's company. Stock. Good Heaven! did you meet her at Miss Rusport's, and could you doubt of her being a woman of reputation? Rel. By you, perhaps, such a mistake could not have been made; but in a perfect stranger, I hope, it is venial. I did not know what artifices young Dudley might have used to conceal her Stock. I see it was a trap laid for you, which you have narrowly escaped; you addressed a woman of honour with all the loose incense of a profane admirer, and you have drawn upon you the resentment of a man of honour, who thinks himself bound to protect her. Well, sir, you must atone for this mistake. Bel. To the lady, the most penitent submission I can make is justly due; but, in the execution of an act of justice, it shall never be said my soul was swayed by the least particle of fear: I have received a challenge from her brother; now, though I would give my fortune, almost my life itself, to purchase her happiness, yet I cannot abate her one scruple of my honour; I have been branded with the name of villain. Stock. Ay, sir, you mistook her character, and he mistook yours; error begets error. Bel. Villain, Mr Stockwell, is a harsh word, Stock. It is a harsh word, and should be unsaid. Bel. Come, come; it shall be unsaid. Stock. Or else what follows? Why, the sword is drawn, and, to heal the wrongs you have done to the reputation of the sister, you make an ho nourable amends, by murdering the brother. Bel. Murdering! Stock. 'Tis thus religion writes and speaks the word; in the vocabulary of modern honour there is no such term-But come, I don't despair of satisfying the one, without alarming the other; that done, I have a discovery to unfold, that you will then, I hope, be fitted to receive. [Exeunt. SCENE I.-The London Tavern. ACT V. O'Fla. Gentlemen, well met! you understand each other's minds; and, as I see you have brought nothing but your swords, you may set to without any further ceremony. Stock. You will not find us backward in any worthy cause; but, before we proceed any further, I would ask this young gentleman, whether he has any explanation to require of Mr Belcour. Charles. Of Mr Belcour none; his actions speak for themselves but to you, sir, I would fain propose one question. Stock, Name it. Charles. How is it, Mr Stockwell, that I meet a man of your character on this ground? Stock. I will answer you directly, and my answer shall not displease you. I come hither in defence of the reputation of Miss Dudley, to redress the injuries of an innocent young lady. only he mistakes which side he's to be of. O'Fla. By my soul, the man knows he's to fight, Stock. You are about to draw your sword to refute a charge against your sister's honour; you would do well, if there were no better means within reach: but the proofs of her innocence are lodged in our bosoms, and if we fall, you destroy the evidence that most effectually can clear her fame. Charles. How's that, sir? Stock. This gentleman could best explain it to you, but you have given him an undeserved name that seals his lips against you: I am not under the same inhibition; and, if your anger can keep cool for a few minutes, I desire I may call in two witnesses, who will solve all difficulties at once. Here, waiter ! bring those people in that are with out. O'Fla. Out upon it, what need is there for so much talking about the matter? can't you settle your differences first, and dispute about them a fterwards? FULMER and Mrs FULMER brought in. Charles. Fulmer and his wife in custody? Stock. Yes, sir; these are your honest landlord and landlady, now in custody for defrauding this gentleman of certain diamonds intended to have been presented to your sister.-Be so good, Mrs Fulmer, to inform the company why you so grossly scandalized the reputation of an innocent lady, by persuading Mr Belcour, that Miss Dudley was not the sister, but the mistress, of this gentleman. 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 ont 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. Cha. What conspiracy? Dear major, recollect yourself. O'Fla. By my soul, I've no faculty at recol Mrs Ful. Sir, I don't know what right you I have to question me, and I shall not answer tilllecting myself; but I've a paper somewhere about I see occasion. Stock. Had you been as silent heretofore, madam, it would have saved you some trouble; but we don't want your confession. This letter, which you wrote to Mr Belcour, will explain your design; and these diamonds, which, of right, belong to Miss Rusport, will confirm your guilt: the law, Mrs Fulmer, will make you speak, though I cann't. Constable, take charge of your prisoners. Ful. Hold a moment! Mr Stockwell, you are a gentleman that knows the world, and a member of parliament; we shall not attempt to impose upon you; we know we are open to the law, and we know the utmost it can do against us. Mr Belcour has been ill used, to be sure, and so has Miss Dudley; and for my own part, I always condemned the plot, as a very foolish plot; but it was a child of Mrs Fulmer's brain, and she would not be put out of conceit with it. Mrs Ful. You are a very foolish man, Mr Fulmer; so, pr'ythee, hold your tongue. Ful. Therefore, as I was saying, if you send her to Bridewell, it won't be amiss; and if you give her a little wholesome discipline, she may be the better for that too: but for me, Mr Stockwell, who am a man of letters, I must beseech you, sir, not to bring any disgrace upon my profession. Stock. 'Tis you, Mr Fulmer, not I, that disgrace your profession; therefore be gone, nor expect that I will betray the interests of mankind so far as to shew favour to such incendiaries. Take them away; I blush to think such wretches should have the power to set two honest men at variance. [Exeunt FULMER, &c. 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 betray ed 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 me, that will tell you more of the matter than I can. When I get to the merchant's, I will en deavour to find it. Charles. Well, it must be in your own way; but I confess you have thoroughly roused my curio sity. [Exeunt. 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 ou. You may be sure Mr Stockwell will enforce the law against them as far as it will go. Dud. What mischief might their cursed machinations have produced, but for this timely discovery! Lou, Still I am terrified!-I tremble with apprehension 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 unravelled. Stuke. Mr Stockwell is with them, madam, and you have nothing to fear-you cannot suppose he would 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 imputa tion on the honour of our family, and he certainly has invited us to receive satisfaction on that score in an amicable way. Lou. Would to Heaven they were returned! Stuke. You may expect them every minute; and see, madam, agreeable to your wish, they are here. [Exit STUKE. Enter CHARLES, and afterwards STOCKWELL] and O'FLAHERTY. Lou. O Charles! O brother! how could you serve me so? how could you tell me you was go ing to Lady Rusport's, and then set out th design of fighting Mr Belcour? But where 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 explained to you. 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 empowered to speak; but if, hereafter, as you range through life, you should 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 triumph, but raise her, rescue her from shame and sorrow, and reconcile her to herself again. Dud. He has. I have too good an opinion of Mr Belcour to believe he could be guilty of a designed affront to an innocent girl; and I am much too well acquainted with your character, to suppose you could 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 plea-present in my thoughts, virtue shall keep an adsure of seeing Mr Belcour. Stock. He has only stept into the countinghouse, and will wait upon you directly. You will not be over strict, madam, in weighing Mr Belcour's conduct 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. Enter BELCOUR, who bows to Miss DUDLEY. Bel. I am happy, and ashamed, to see youno man in his senses would offend you-I forfeited mine, and erred against the light of the sun, when I overlooked your virtues-but your beauty was predominant, and hid them from my sightI 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 composed 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 delivered me from these difficulties; but, either I do not deserve your confidence, or I was deceived in my expecta tions. Stock. When this lady has confirmed your par don, I shall hold you deserving of my confidence. Lou. That was granted the moment it was asked. 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. Cha. 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. [Exeunt. Manent 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 Bel. I will, I will: by bearing your idea ever vocate within me. But tell me, loveliest, when you pardon the offence, can you, all perfect as you are, approve of the offender? As I now cease to view you in that false light I lately did, can you, and in the fulness of your bounty, will you, cease also to reflect upon the libertine addresses I have paid you, and look upon me as your reformed, your rational admirer? Lou. Are sudden reformations apt to last? and how can I be sure the first fair face you meet will not ensnare affections so unsteady, and that I shall not lose you lightly as I gained you? Bel. Because, though you conquered me by surprise, I have no inclination to rebel; because, since the first moment that I saw you, every instant has improved you in my eyes; because, by principle as well as passion, I am unalterably yours: in short, there are ten thousand causes for my love to you:-would to Heaven I could plant one in your soft bosom, that might move you to return it! Lou. Nay, Mr Belcour Bel. I know I am not worthy your regard. I know I'm tainted with a thousand faults, sick of a thousand follies; but there's a healing virtue in your eyes that makes recovery certain. I cannot be a villain in your arms. Lou. That you can never be: whomever you shall honour with your choice, iny life upon't that woman will be happy: it is not from suspicion that I hesitate, it is from honour: 'tis the severity of my condition: it is the world, that never will interpret fairly in our case. Bel. Oh, what am I? and who in this wide world concerns himself for such a nameless, such a friendless thing as I am? I see, Miss Dudley, I've not yet obtained your pardon. Lou. Nay, that you are in full possession of Bel. Oh, seal it with your hand then, loveliest of women; confirm it with your heart; make me honourably happy, and crown your penitent, not with your pardon only, but your love. Lou. My love! Bel. By Heaven, my soul is conquered with your virtues, more than my eyes are ravished with your beauty! Oh, may this soft, this sensitive alarm, be happy, be auspicious! Doubt not, deliberate not, delay not. If happiness be the end of life, why do we slip a moment? Enter O'FLAHERTY, and afterwards DUDLEY, and CHARLES, with STOCKWELL. O'Fla. Joy, joy, joy! Sing, dance, leap, laugh |