ACT THE THIRD

SCENE I.

A Room at SIR GEORGE EUSTON'S.

Enter MR EUSTON and SIR GEORGE.

Mr Eus. Bless my soul! Bless my soul! Why, what did my brother Anthony say? Was not he in a dreadful passion? Only think of his being made such a fool of! It would not have signified had it been me. It had been a good joke if the mistake had happened to me'; then you wou'd have had something to have laughed at.

Sir Geo. Dear Sir, let us think no more about it -my uncle has listened to reason, and approves my conduct in every circumstance.

very

Mr Eus. Ay, 'tis very well, George-'tis all well-but I know, had you been his son, he wou'd not have forgiven you-he loved that boy so well, he wou'd never forgive him the smallest fault.

f

Sir Geo. A very cruel proof of his affection.

Mr Eus. 'Tis true, notwithstanding-you know it is. Poor Charles! George, you must do something for him-You know your uncle won't-and I am tied from it by a solemn promise. Many a letter and petition came from his wife to my brother and me, before we went abroad, but all in vain ; for I had but just then given Anthony my word, and wou'd not equivocate, by causing the poor boy or his family to be relieved, in any shape, through

my means; and therefore I forebore to mention their distress to you. However, now, though I have not forgot my promise, I will not be so particular about it; and, when the deviation from my word disturbs my conscience, I'll hush it to rest with having relieved a destitute family.

Sir Geo. Say no more, Sir; I understand you-and to find out my cousin and his family shall immediately be my care.

Mr Eus. (Shaking hands with Sir George.) That's right, George-Poor Charles is a lieutenant in the East Indies. His wife must be the first object of your bounty. Just before I left England, she wrote me a letter from a village near York-where he left her, with two children, and she styles them, in her letter, "the offspring of want and wretchedness." I was a hard-hearted fellow, not to listen to her complaint; but, I think, since I have been at sea, I have been more compassionate. I never knew, before, what it was to be cold or hungry.

Sir Geo. Can you tell me the name of the village, Sir, where I am to seek her?

Mr Eus. Write to her at the post office, Selby. If she should have left the place, they may still know where to send her letters. I wish some friend, that had not made a promise, would speak to my brother Anthony about them at present; perhaps, going to sea has changed his heart too.

Sir Geo. No, Sir; I touched on that subject when I was with him this morning.

Mr Eus. Did you? Did you? And what did he

say?

Sir Geo. Asked if I meant to make him forbid me his sight-and, on my apologising, commanded me never to mention my poor cousin in his hearing again.

Mr Eus. Ay, that is what I must never do

Well, so much the better; for now, George, neiyou nor I can tell tales one of another.

Sir Geo. You are right, Sir. Had my uncle Anthony an estate to bestow on each of his family, he could not exact more obedience to his will than he does at present.

Mr Eus. 'Tis very true, George. But what keeps him so long away? I expected he wou'd have been with your lady before this time, acknowledging her for his niece though, they have had one meeting,

it seems.

:

Sir Geo. My uncle cannot be introduced to Lady Euston till to-morrow, Sir. Lord Layton, for whom he settled some business when he was abroad, called on him just as I came away, and, as his lordship is going to Italy in a day or two, he entreated my uncle to accompany him immediately to his country house, (about ten miles from town) in order to look over some papers he has there.

Mr Eus. Here comes your lady, so I'll leave you.

Enter LADY EUSTON,

La. Eus. Dear Mr Euston, I hope I do not frighten you away-Sir George will be offended with me if I do.

Mr Eus. No, madam-I am sure no man cou'd be offended at being left in such charming company. [Exit Mr Euston. Sir Geo. My uncle is grown a man of gallantry! La. Eus. Yes, I inspire all the men.

Sir Geo. I believe you do.

La. Eus. Cou'd I only inspire you with reason to listen to my arguments

Sir Geo. 'Tis in vain-The Major shall now feel my resentment. Did he imagine, because I was indifferent to the conduct of an undeserving woman,

that I am not to be roused at such an injury as this? An attempt on the principles of a woman of virtue! 'Tis done on purpose to try me, and by Heaven he shall find-That wretch too, Sir Harry! L. Eus. Oh, pray have pity on poor Sir Harry. Sir Geo. No, madam. I only defer my resentment till I have had some conversation with my uncle Anthony.

L. Eus. Do, my dear Sir George, suffer me to revenge my own cause this once-and ever afterSir Geo. I positively must!

L. Eus. Nay, Sir George, in a year or two, may, perhaps, have no objection to your fighting a duel; but only three months married-I do wish to keep you a little longer.

Sir Geo. Depend upon it, Lady Euston, death had never half the terrors I have beheld it with since I called you mine; but that life you have endeared

to me

L. Eus. You wou'd throw away immediately in my service. No, no, Sir George, a fond wife will never suffer her husband to revenge her wrongs at so great a risk: Besides, the exertion of a little thought and fancy, will more powerfully vindicate innocence, than that brilliant piece of steel, I assure you.

Sir Geo. Perhaps you are right.

L. Eus. Certainly I am! Now, suppose a gentleman makes love to me-I divulge the affront to you; you call my insulter to an account-Your ball misses; he fires into the air; and, to the fame of having dared to wound your honour, he gains that of presenting you with your life.

Sir Geo. But, why must these circumstances take place?

L. Eus. Well, then, we will suppose he kills

how do

o, you

like that?

Sir Geo. (Smiling.) Hem!

you;

L. Eus. Or, we will suppose, you kill him—even you like that?

how do

Sir Geo. Well, I confess that, if a severe punishment could be thought of, for such insolence—

L. Eus. There is as severe a punishment to men of gallantry, (as they call themselves,) as sword or pistel: laugh at them; that is a ball which cannot miss; and yet kills only their vanity.

Sir Geo. You are right.

L. Eus. Let me see; we have been now only three months married; and, in that short time, I have: had no less than five or six men of fashion to turn into ridicule. The first who ventured to declare his passion, was Lord William Bloomly; his rank, joined to his uncommon beauty, had insured him success; and wherever I went, I was certain to hear his distress whispered in my ear; at every opportunity he fell even upon his kness; and, as a tender earnest of my pity for him, begged, with all the eloquence of love, for "a single lock of my hair, which he wou'd value more than any other woman's person; the wealth of worlds; or (he is a great patriot you know,) even the welfare of his country."

Sir Geo. I am out of patience!

L. Eus. You will be more so-For I promised him this single lock.

Sir Geo. You did not!

L. Eus. But I did; and added, with a blush, that I must insist on a few hairs from one of his eyebrows in return; which he absolutely refused;—and, on my urging it, was obliged to confess," he valued that little brown arch more than the loc he had been begging for; consequently, more han any woman's person; the wealth of worlds; or even the