one glance, I became the willing captive of her beauty Mr. Har. A very candid declaration, sir! How can this be? The bloom has been off the peach any time these fifteen years, to my knowledge-[Aside.]-You see my sister with a fa-sir. vourable eve, sir. Cle. A favourable eye! He must greatly want discernment, who has not a quick perception of her merit. Mr. Har. You do her a great deal of honour -but this affair is it not somewhat sudden, sir? Cle. I grant it; you may, indeed, be surprised at it, sir; nor should I have been hardy enough to make any overtures to you, as least yet a while, if she herself had not condescended to listen to my passion, and authorised me, under her own fair hand, to apply to her brother for his consent Mr. Har. I shall be very ready, sir, to give my approbation to my sister's happiness. Cie. No doubt you will; but let me not cherish an unavailing flame, a flame that already lights up all my tenderest passions. Mr. Har. To you, sir, there can be no exception: I am not altogether a stranger to your family and fortune-His language is warm, considering my sister's age; but I won't hurt her preferment-Aside.]-You will pardon me, sir, one thing; you are very young Cle. Sir, I am almost three and twenty. Mr. Har. But have you consulted your friends? Cle. I have; my uncle, Mr. Heartwell, who proposes to leave me a very handsome addition to my fortune, which is considerable alreadyhe, sir Mr. Har. Well, sir, if he has no objection, I can have none. Cle. He has none, sir; he has given his consent; he desires me to lose no time; I will bring him to pay you a visit; he rejoices in my choice-you shall have it out of his own mouth -name your hour, and he shall attend you Mr. Har. Any time to-day; I shall stay at home on purpose. Cle. In the evening I will conduct him hither; in the mean time, I feel an attachment herethe lady, sir Mr. Har. Oh! you want to see my sister? I will send her to you, sir, this instant. I beg your pardon for leaving you alone; ha, ha! who could have thought of her making a conquest at last![Exit MR. HARLOW. Cle. Sir your most obedient,-now, Clerimont, now your heart may rest content-your doubts and fears may all subside, and joy and rapture take their place-Miss Harlow shall be mineshe receives my vows; she approves my passion. [Sings and dances.] Soft! here she comes-Her very appearance controuls my wildest hopes, and hushes my proud heart into respect and silent admiration Enter Mrs. HARLOW. Mrs. Har. Sir, your servant- Cle. Madam, he is but just gone- Cle. How her modesty throws a veil over her inclinations! my tongue faulters! I cannot speak to her. [Aside. Mrs. Har. He seems in confusion-a pretty man, too! That this should be my sister's luck! [Aside. [Embarrassed. Cle. Madam! Mrs. Har. I imagine you have been talking to him on the subject of the letter you sent this morning Cie. Madam, I have presumed to Mrs. Har. Well, sir! and he has no objection, I hope? Cle. She, hopes! Heavens bless her for the word! [Aside.] Madam, he has frankly consented, if his sister will do me that honour Miss Har. For his sister, I think I may venture to answer, sir Cle. Generous, generous creature! Mrs. Har. You are sure, sir, of Miss Harlow's admiration, and the whole family hold themselves much obliged to you Cle. Madam, this extreme condescension has added rapture to the sentiments I felt before:and it shall be the endeavour of my life to prove deserving of the amiable object I have dared to aspire to Mrs. Har. Sir, I make no doubt of your sincerity-I have already declared my sentimentsyou know Mr. Harlow's; and, if my sister is willing, nothing will be wanting to conclude this business—If no difficulties arise from her, for her temper is uncertain-as to my consent, sir, your air, your manner, have commanded itSir, your most obedient-I'll send my sister to you[Erit. Cle. Madam, [Bowing.] I shall endeavour to repay this goodness with excess of gratitudeOn, she is an angel! and yet, stupid that I am, I could not give vent to the tenderness I have within-it is ever so with sincere and generous love; it fills the heart with rapture, and then denies the power of uttering what we so exquisitely feel. Generous Miss Harlow! who could thus see through my confusion, interpret all appearances favourably, and with a dignity superior to her sex's little arts, forego the idle ceremonies of coquetting, teazing, and tormenting her admirer! I hear somebody. Oh! here comes Mrs. Harlow- -what a gloom sits upon her features! She assumes authority here, I find; but I'll endeavour by insinuation and respect Enter MISS HARLOW. Miss Har. My sister has told me, sirCle. Madam[Bowing cheerfully. Miss Har. He is a sweet figure [Aside. Cle. She rather looks like Miss Harlow's mother than her sister-in-law[Aside. Miss Har. He seems abashed; his respect is the cause. [Aside.] My sister told me, sir, that you was here. I beg pardon for making you wait so long Cle. Oh, madam! [Bows.] the gloom disappears from her face, but the lines of ill-nature remain[Aside. Miss Har. I see he loves me by his contusion; I'll cheer him with affability. [Aside.] Sir, the letter you was pleased to send, my sister has seen- and Cle. And has assured me that she has no objection Miss Har. I am glad of that, sirafraid -I was derstanding, I warrant her; [Aside.] but let me intreat you, madam, to do justice to my principles, and believe me a sincere, a generous lover. Miss Har. Sir, I will frankly own that I have been trying you all this time, and from henceforth all doubts are banished. Cle. Your words recal me to new life; I shall for ever study to merit this goodness; but your fair sister-do you think I can depend upon her consent? May I flatter myself she will not change her mind? Miss Har. My sister cannot be insensible of the honour you do us all; and, sir, as far as I can act with propriety in the affair, I will endeavour to keep them all inclined to favour youCle. Madam ! [Bows. Miss Har. You have an interest in my breast that will be busy for you Cle. I am eternally devoted to you, madam [Bows. [Aside. Miss Har. How modest, and yet how expres Cle. No, madam, she has none-and Mr. Har-sive he is! low, I have seen him too-he has honoured me with his consent-Now, madam, the only doubt remains with you; may I be permitted to hope Miss Har. Sir, you appear like a gentleman, and Cle. Madam, believe me, never was love more sincere, more justly founded on esteem, or kindled into higher admiration. Miss Har. Sir, with the rest of the family, I hold myself much obliged to you, and Cle. Obliged! 'tis I that am obliged-there is no merit on my side-it is the consequence of impressions made upon my heart; and what heart can resist such beauty, such various graces! Miss Har. Sir, I am afraid—I wish my sister heard him. [Aside.] Sir, I am afraid you are lavish of your praise; and the short date of your love, sir Cle. It will burn with unabating ardour; the same charms, that first inspired it, will for ever cherish it, and add new fuel-But I presume you hold this style to try my sincerity-I see that's your aim: but could you read the feelings of my heart, you would not thus cruelly keep me in suspense. Miss Har. Heavens! if my sister saw my power over him! [Aside.] A little suspence cannot be deemed unreasonable; marriage is an important affair-an affair for life; and some caution you will allow necessary. Cle. Madam! [Disconcerted.] oh, I dread the sourness of her look! [Aside. Miss Har. I cannot help observing, sir, that you dwell chiefly on articles of external and superficial merit; whereas the more valuable qualities of the mind, produce good sense, a wellregulated conduct Cle. Oh, madam! I am not inattentive to those matters-Oh! she has a notable household un Cle. Madam, I shall be for ever sensible of this extreme condescension, and shall think no pains too great to prove the gratitude and esteem I bear you--I beg my compliments to Mr. Harlow, and I shall be here with my uncle in the evening-as early as possible I shall come; my respects to your sister, madam; and pray, | madam, keep her in my interest. Madam, your most obedient-I have managed the motherly lady finely, I think. [Aside.] Madam! [Bows and Exit. Miss Har. What will my sister say now? I shall hear no more of her taunts-A malicious thing! I fancy she now sees that your giddy flirts are not always the highest beauties-Set her up, indeed! Had she but heard him, the dear man! what sweet things he said! and what sweet things he looked Enter MRS. HARLOW. Mrs. Har. Well, sister! how! what does he say? Miss Har. Say, sister! Every thing that is charming-he is the prettiest man! Mrs. Har. Well, I am glad of it! but all is well that ends well Miss Har. Envy, sister! Envy, and downright malice! Oh, had you heard all the tender things he uttered, and with what ectasy, too: what tenderness! what delight restrained by modesty! Mrs. Har. I don't know, though; there is something odd in it still Miss Har. Oh, I don't doubt but you will say so! but you will find I have beauty enough left to make some noise in the world still. The men, sister, are the best judges of female beauty-Don't concern yourself about it, sister.Leave it all to them Mrs. Har. But only think of a lover, you saw but once, at Ranelagh Miss Har. Very true! but even then, I saw what work I made in his heart-Oh! I am in raptures with him, and he is in raptures with me! [Sings.] Yes, I'll have a husband, ay marry, &c. Enter MR. HARLOW. Mr. Har. So, sister! how stands matters now? Miss Hur. As I could wish; I shall no more be a trouble to you; he has declared himself in the most warm and vehement manner-Though my sister has her doubts-she is a good friendshe is afraid of my success Mrs. Har. Pray, sister, don't think so meanly of me I understand that sneer, madamMiss Har. And I understand you too, madam Mr. Hur. Come, come, I desire we may have no quarrelling; you two are always wrangling; but when you are separated, it is to be hoped you will then be more amicable. Things are now in a fair way; though, sister, let me tell you I am afraid our India friend will think himself ill-treated. Mrs. Har. That's what I fear, too; that's my reason for speaking Miss Har. O, never throw away a thought on him! Mr. Clerimont has my heart; and now I think I am settled for life! Sister-I love to plague her-now, I think, I am settled for life! for life! for life, my dear sister! Enter Servant. Ser. Dinner is served, sir. Mr. Har. Very well! come, sister, I give you joy: let us in to dinner. Miss Har. Oh, vulgar! I can't eat : I must go and dress my head over again, and do a thousand things; for I am determined I'll look this afternoon as well as ever I can. [Exit. Mrs. Hur. Is not all this amazing, my dear! Her head is turned ! Mr. Har. Well, let it all pass; don't you mind it; don't you say any thing; let her get married if she can; I am sure I shall rejoice at it. Mrs. Har. And, upon my word, my dear, so shall I; and, if I interfere, it is purely out of friendship. Mr. Har. But be advised by me; say no more to her. If the affair goes on, we shall fairly get rid of her. Her peevish humours, and her maiden temper, are become insupportable. Come, let us in to dinner. If Mr. Clerimont marries her, which, indeed, will be odd enough, we shall then enjoy a little peace and quiet. [Exit MR. HARLOW. Mrs. Har. What in the world could the man see in her? Oh! he will repent his bargain in a week or a fortnight; that I am sure he will-she is gone to dress now! ha, ha! Oh, how she rolls her pretty eyes in spite, And looks delightfully with all her might! Ha, ha! delightfully she will look, indeed! [Exit. ACT III. SCENE I-Anti-room in MR. HARLOW's House. Enter CAPT. CAPE, and a Servant. Ser. Yes, sir, my master is at home; he has just done dinner, sir. Capt. Cape. Very well, then; tell him I would speak a word with him. Ser. I beg pardon, sir; I am but a stranger in the family; who shall I say? Capt. Cape. Captain Cape, tell him. Ser. Yes, sir. [Exit Servant. Capt. Cape. I can hardly believe my own eyes! 'Sdeath! I am almost inclined to think this letter, signed with Miss Harlow's name, a mere forgery by some enemy, to drive me into an excess of passion, and so injure us both; I don't know what to say to it. Enter MR. HARLOW. an extraordinary affair; I cant comprehend it, sir. Here is a letter with your sister's nameLook at it, sir-Is that her hand-writing? Mr. Har. Yes, sir: I take it to be her writing. Capt. Cape. And do you know the contents? Capt. Cape, You do? and is not it base treatment, sir?-is it not unwarrantable?-can you justify her? Mr. Har. For my part, I leave women to manage their own affairs; I am not fond of intermeddling Capt. Cape. But, sir, let me ask you—Was not every thing agreed upon? Are not the writings now in the lawyer's hands? Was not next week fixed for our wedding? Mr. Har. I understood it so. Capt. Cape. Very well, then; and see how Capt. Cape. Sir, I have waited on you about she treats me! She writes me here, in a con temptuous manner, that she recalls her promise; it was rashly given; she has thought better of it; she will listen to me no more; she is going to dispose of herself to a gentleman with whom she can be happy for life-and I desire to see you no more, sir! There, that's free and easy, is not it? What do you say to that? Mr. Har. Why, really, sir, it is not my affair; I have nothing to say to it. Capt. Cape. Nothing to say to it! Sir, I imagined I was dealing with people of honour! Mr. Har. You have been dealing with a woman; and, you know Capt. Cupe. Yes, I know-I know the treachery of the sex!-Who is this gentleman, pray? Mr. Har. His name is Clerimont--they have fixed the affair among themselves, and amongst them be it for me. Capt. Cape. Very fine! mighty fine! is Miss Harlow at home, sir? Mr. Har. She is; and here she comes, too! Capt. Cupe. Very well! let me hear it from herself, that's all; I desire to hear her speak for herself. Mr. Har. With all my heart. I'll leave you together you know, captain, I was never fond of being concerned in those things. [Exit. Enter MISS HARLOW. Miss Har. Capt. Cape! this is mighty I thought, sir, I desired Miss Har. Every syllable: therefore, take your answer, sir, and a truce with your importu nity. Capt. Cape. Very well, madam; very well; your humble servant, madam-I promise you, madam, I can repay this scorn with scorn; with tenfold scorn, madam, such as this treatment deserves-that's all-I say no more—your servant, madam; but let me ask you, is this a just return for all the attendance I have paid you these three years past? Miss Har. Perfectly just, sir. Three years! how could you be a dangler so long? I told you what it would come to; can you think, that raising a woman's expectations, and tiring her out of all patience, is the way to make sure of her at last? you ought to have been a brisker lover; you ought, indeed, sir! I am now contracted to another, and so there is an end of every thing between us. Capt. Cape. Very well, madam—and yet, I can't bear to be despised by her--and, can you, Miss Harlow, can you find it in your heart to treat me with this disdain? have you no compassion? Miss Har. No; positively, none, sir; none, none. Capt. Cape. Your own Capt. Cape, whom you Miss Har. Whom I despise! Capt. Cape. Whom you have so often encou odd-raged to adore you! Capt. Cape. This insult, madam!-Do myself a mischief!-Madam, don't flatter yourself that it is in your power to make me unhappy; it is not vexation brings me hither, I assure you. Miss Har. Theu let vexation take you away; we were never designed for one another! Capt. Cape. My amazement brings me hither! -amazement, that any woman can behave-but I don't want to upbraid : 1 only come to ask for I can hardly as yet believe it-I only come to ask if I am to credit this pretty epistle? Miss Har. Pray, sir, don't touch my hand; I' am now the property of another! Cape. Cape. Can't you still break off with him? Miss Har. No, sir, I can't, I won't, I love him; and, sir, if you are a man of honour, you will speak to me no more; desist, sir! for if you don't, my brother shall tell you of it, sir, and to-morrow Mr. Clerimont shall tell you of it. Capt. Cape. Mr. Clerimont, madam, shall fight me for daring Miss Har. And must I fight you, too, most noble, valiant captain? Capt. Cape. Laughed at too! Miss Har. What a passion you are in! I can't bear to see a man in such a passion-Oh! I have a happy riddance of you; the violence of your temper is dreadful; I won't stay a moment longer with you; you frighten me; you have your answer; and so your servant, sir. [Exit MISS HAR. Capt. Cape. Ay! she is gone off like a fury; and the furies catch her, say I! I will never put up with this; I will find out this Mr. Clerimont, and he shall be accountable to me; Mr. Harlow, too, shall be accountable to me. Enter MR. and MRS. HARLOW. Mr. Harlow, I am used very ill here, sir, by all of you; and, sir, let me tell you Mr. Har. Nay, don't be angry with me, sir! I was not to marry you. Mrs. Har. How can Mr. Harlow help it, sir, if my sister Mr. Har. You are too warm; you are indeed, sir; let us both talk this matter over a bottle. Capt. Cape. No, sir; no bottle; over a cannon, if you will. Mrs. Har Mercy on me, sir! I beg you won't talk in that terrible manner; you frighten me, sir. Mr. Har. Be you quiet, my dear-Captain Cape, I beg you will just step into that room with me; and if, in the dispatching one bottle, I don't acquit myself of all sinister dealing, why, then-come, come, be a little moderate; you shall step with me; I'll take it as a favour; come, come, you must. Capt. Cape. I always found you a gentleman, Mr. Harlow; and so, with all my heart; I don't care if I do talk the matter over with you. Mr. Har. Sir, I am obliged to you; I'll shew you the way. [Exeunt MR. HAR. and CAPT. CAPE. Mrs. Har. It is just as I foresaw; my sister was sure of him, and now is she going to break off for a young man that will despise her in a little time; I wish she would have Captain Cape! Enter MISS HARLOW. Miss Har. Is he gone, sister? Mrs. Har. No; and here is the deuce and all to do; he is for fighting every body. Upon my word, you are wrong; you don't behave genteelly in the affair. Miss Hur. She-I don't know what to make of her. Cle. Oh! I am on the rack! in pity do not torture me! Miss Har. How tremblingly solicitous he is! Oh! I have made a sure conquest! [Aside.] Why, she, sir!Cle. Ay! [Disconcerted. Miss Har. She does not seem entirely to ap prove. Cle. You kill me with despair. Miss Har. Oh! he is deeply smitten. [Aside.] Miss Har. Yes, another; an India captain, who has made his proposals; but I shall take care to see him dismissed. Cle. Will you? Miss Har. I promise you I will-though he runs much in my sister's head, and she has taken pains to bring my other relations over to her opinion. Cle. Oh! cruel, cruel!—I could not have expected that from her-but has she fixed her heart upon a match with this other gentleman ? Miss Har. Why, truly, I think she has—but my will in this affair must be, and shall be, consulted. Cle. And so it ought, madam-your long acquaintance with the world, madam Miss Har. Long acquaintance, sir! I have but a few years experience only Cle. That is, your good sense, madam-oh! confound my tongue! how that slipt from me. [Aside.]-your good sense- -your early good sense-and-and-inclination should be con sulted. Miss Har. Genteelly! I like that notion prodigiously! an't I going to marry genteelly? Mrs. Har. Well, follow your own inclinations; I won't intermeddle any more, I pro- Miss Har. And they shall, sir-hark! I hear mise you; I'll step into the parlour, and see her-I'll tell you what-I'll leave you this opwhat they are about. [Exit MRS. HAR. portunity to speak to her once more, and try to Miss Har. As you please, madam. I see win her over by persuasion-It will make things plainly the ill-natured thing can't bear my suc-easy, if you can-I am gone, sir. Heavens! here comes Mr. Clerimont! cess. [Curtsies affectedly, and exit. Cle. The happiness of my life will be owing to you, madam-The woman is really better natured than I thought she was -She comes! the lovely tyrant comes! Enter MRS. HARLOW. Cle. She triumphs in her cruelty, and I am ruined[Aside. Mrs. Har. You seem afflicted, sir-I hope no misfortune Cle. The severest misfortune!—you have broke my heart |