L Ogle. No, Sir; I am above consideration, when my desires are kindled.

Love. But consider the consequences, my lord, to your nephew, Sir John.

L Ogle. Sir John has considered no consequences himself, Mr Lovewell.

Love. Mr. Sterling, my lord, will certainly refuse his daughter to Sir John.

ter.

LOgle. Sir John has already refused Mr Sterling's daugh

Love. But what will become of Miss Sterling, my lord? L Ogle. What's that to you?You may have her if you will-I depend upon Mr Sterling's city-philosophy, to be reconciled to lord Ogleby's being his son-in-law, instead of Sir John Melvil, Baronet. Don't you think that your master may be brought to that, without having recourse to his calculations? Eh, Lovewell!

Love. But, my lord, that is not the question.

L Ogle. Whatever is the question, I'll tell you my answer THE THREE -I'm in love with a fine girl, whom I resolve to marry.

Enter Sir JOHN MELVIL.

What news with you, Sir John ?-You look like hurry and impatience-like a messenger after a battle.

Sir John. After a battle, indeed, my lord.-I have this day had a severe engagement, and wanting your lordship as an auxiliary, I have at last mustered up resolution to declare, what my duty to you and to myself have demanded from me some time.

LOgle. To the business then, and be as concise as possible; for I am upon the wing-eh, Lovewell ?

[be smiles, and Lovewell bows. Sir John. I find 'tis in vain, my lord, to struggle against the force of inclination.

L Ogle. Very true, Nephew-I am your witness, and will second the motion-shan't 1, Lovewell?

[smiling and Lovewell bows. Sir John. Your lordship's generosity encourages me to tell you that I cannot, marry Miss Sterling.

L Ogle. I am not at all surpriz'd at it-slre's a bitter potion, that's the truth of it; but as you were to swallow it,

and

and not I, it was your business, and not mine-any thing more?

Sir John. But this, my lord that I may be permitted to make my addresses to the other sister.

L Cgle. O yes-by all means—have you any hopes there, Nephew?-Do you think he'll succeed, Lovewell? [smiles and winks at Lovewell. [gravely!

Love. I think not, my loid. L Ogle. I think so too, but let the fooi try. Sir jcbn. Will your lordship favour me with your good offices to remove the chief obstacle to the matth, the repugnance of Mrs Heidelberg.

T

LQgie. Mrs Heidelberg! had not you better begin with the young lady first? it will save you a great deal of troubie; won't it, Lovewell ?-[conceitedly. Why don't you laugh at him?

Love. I do, my lord.

[forces a smile. Sir Jcbn. And your lordship will endeavours to prevail on Mrs Heidelberg to consent to my marriage with Miss Fanny?

L Ogle. I'll go and speak to Mrs Heidelberg, about the adorable Fanny, as soon as possible.

Sir John. Your generosity transports me.

L Ogle. Poor fellow, what a dupe! he little thinks who's in possession of the town.

[Aside Sir John. And your lordship is not offended at this seem. ing inconstancy.

even

L Cgle. Not in the least. Miss Fanny's charms will
excuse infidelity ---i look upon women as the feræ naturæ,
-lawful game-and every man who is qualified, has a na❤
tural right to pursue them; Love well as well as you, and I
as either of you.-Every man shall do his best, without of
fence to an
-what say you, kinsmën ?

Sir John. You have made me happy, my lord.
Love. And me, I assure you, my lord.

LOgle. And I am superlatively so-allons donc---to hoise and away, boys!--you to your affairs, and I to mine -suivons l'amour!

[sings.

[Exeunt severally.
ACT

1

ACT V. SCENE I.

FANNY's apartment.

Enter LOVEWELL and FANNY, followed by BETTY.

FANNY.

HY did you come so soon, Mr Lovewell? the family is not yet in bed, and Betty certainly heard somebody listening at the chamber-door.

Bet. My mistress is right, Sir! evil spirits are abroad: and I am sure you are both too good, not to expect mischief from them.

Love. But who can be so curious, or so wicked?

Bet. I think we have wickedness, and curiosity enough in this family, Sir, to expect the worst.

Fan. I do expect the worst.-Prithee, Betty, return to the outward door, and listen if you hear any body in the gallery; and let us know directly.

Bet, I warrant you, Madam-the lord bless you both!

[Exit. Fan. What did my father want with you this evening? Love. He gave me the key of his closet, with orders to bring from London some papers relating to lord Og.eby. Fan. And why did not you obey him?

Love. Because I am certain that his lordship has open'd his heart to him about you, and those papers are wanted merely on that account-but as we shall discover all tomorrow, there will be no occasion for them, and it would be idle in me to go.

Fan. Hark-hark! bless me, how I tremble !—I feel the terrors of guilt-indeed, Mr Lovewell, this is too much for me.

Love. And for me too, my sweet Fanny. Your apprehensions make a coward of me.-But what can alarm you? your aunt and sister are in their chambers, and you have nothing to fear from the rest of the family.

Fan. I fear every body, and every thing, and every momont-My mind is in continual agitation, and dread-in

deed,

deed, Mr Lovewell, this situation may have very unhappy consequences. [weeps.

Love. But it shan't-I would rather tell our story this moment to all the house, and run the risk of maintaining you by the hardest labour, than suffer you to remain in this dangerous perplexity.-What! shall I sacrifice all my best hopes and affections, in your dear health and safety, for the mean, and in such a case, the meanest consideration-of our fortune! Were we to be abandon'd by all our, relations, we have that in our hearts and minds, will weigh against the most affluant circumstances-I should not have proposed the secrecy of our mariage, 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 heav'n 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! Love. 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.

Re-Enter BETTY.

[kisses ber.

Bet. [in a low voice.] I'm sorry to disturb you.

Fun. Ha! what's the matter?

Love. Have you heard any body?

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

Fan. Prithee don't prate now, Betty!

Love. What did you hear?

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

Love. A nap!

Bet. Yes, Sir, a nap; for I watch much better so than wide awake; and when I had wrap'd 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 a buzzing, which I

fist took for a gnat, and shook my head two or three times and went so with my land Fan: Well-well and so

Bet. And so, Madam, when I heard Mr Lovewell a little loud, I heard the buzzing louder roo-and pulling off my handkerchief softly--I could hear this sort of noise[makes an indistinct noise like speaking.

Fan. Well, and what did they say?

กา

Bet. Oh I cou'd not understand a word of what was

Love. 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 voicewhen I was silent, they were silent, and so I came to you

Fan. What shall we do?

to tell

Love. Fear nothing; we know the worst; it will only bring on our catastrophe a little too soon-but 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 am 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'll go and hearken myself.

[Exit. Bet. I'll turn my back upon no girl, for sincerity and service. [balf aside, and muttering. Love. Thou art the first in the world for both and I will reward you soon, Betty, for one and the other. Bet. I'm not mercenary heither I can live on a little, with a good carrêter."

Fan. All seems quiet-suppose, my dear, you go to your own room—I shall be much easier then-and tomorrow we will be prepared for the discovery.

Bet. You may discover, if you please; but, for my part I shall still be secret. [balfaside and muttering. Love, Should I leave you now,if they still are upon

the