Tom. John Ostler says as how, they bid the coachman drive to Grosvenor-square.

Sir H. Soho! puss-Yoics!

Rus. She is certainly gone to that young rogue— he has got his aunt to fetch her from hence or else she is with her own aunt, Lady Freelove--they both live in that part of the town. I'll go to his house, and in the meanwhile, Sir Harry, you shall step to Lady Freelove's. We'll find her, I warrant you. I'll teach my young mistress to be gadding, She shall marry you to-night. Come along, Sir Harry, come along; we won't lose a minute. Come along.

Sir H. Soho! hark forward! wind 'em and cross 'em! hark forward! Yoics! Yoics!

[Exeunt.

Scene II-Oakly's House.

Enter MRS. OAKLY.

Mrs. Oak. After all, that letter was certainly intended for my husband. I see plain enough they are all in a plot against me. My husband intriguing, the Major working him up to affront me, Charles owning his letters, and so playing into each other's hands.They think me a fool, I find--but I'll be too much for them yet. I have desired to speak with Mr. Oakly, and expect him here immediately. His temper is naturally open, and if he thinks my anger abated, and my suspicions laid asleep, he will certainly betray himself by his behaviour. I'll assume an air of good humour, pretend to believe the fine story they have trumped up, throw him off his guard, and so draw the secret out of him. Here he comes.-How hard it is to dissemble one's anger! Oh, I could rate him soundly! but I'll keep down my indignation at present, though ît chokes me.

Enter OAKLY.

0 my dear! I am very glad to see you. Pray sit down. [They sit.] I longed to see you. It seemed an age, till I had an opportunity of talking over the silly affair that happened this morning. [Mildly.

Oak. Why, really, my dear

Mrs. Oak. Nay, don't look so grave now. Comeit's all over. Charles and you have cleared up matters. I am satisfied.

Oak. Indeed! I rejoice to hear it! You make me happy beyond my expectation. This disposition will insure our felicity. Do but lay aside your cruel, unjust suspicion, and we should never have the least difference.

Mrs. Oak. Indeed I begin to think so. I'll endeavour to get the better of it. And really sometimes it is very ridiculous. My uneasiness this morning, for instance, ha ha ha! To be so much alarmed about that idle letter, which turned out quite another thing at last— was not I very angry with you? ha! ha! ha!

[Affecting a laugh. Oak. Don't mention it. Let us both forget it. Your present cheerfulness makes amends for every thing.

Mrs. Oak. I am apt to be too violent; I love you too well to be quite easy about you. [Fondly.]-Wellno matter what is become of Charles?

Oak. Poor fellow! he is on the wing, rambling all over the town, in pursuit of this young lady.

Mrs. Oak. Where is he gone, pray?

Oak. First of all, I believe, to some of her relations. Mrs. Oak. Relations! Who are they? Where do they live?

Oak. There is an aunt of hers lives just in the neighbourhood; Lady Freelove.

Mrs. Oak. Lady Freelove! Oho! gone to Lady Freelove's, is he?—and do you think he will hear any thing of her?

so?

Oak. I don't know; but I hope so, with all my soul. Mrs. Oak. Hope! with all your soul; do you hope [Alarmed.

Qak. Hope so! ye-yes-why, don't you hope so? [Surprised.

Mrs. Oak. Why-yes-[Recovering.]—O ay, to be sure. I hope it of all things. You know, my dear, it must give me great satisfaction, as well as yourself, to see Charles well settled.

Oak. I should think so; and really I don't know where he can be settled so well. She is a most deserv

ing young woman, I assure you.

Mrs. Oak. You are well acquainted with her then? Oak. To be sure, my dear; after seeing her so often last summer at the Major's house in the country, and at her father's.

Mrs. Oak. So often!

Oak. O ay, very often-Charles took care of that -almost every day.

Mrs. Ouk. Indeed! But pray-a-a- -a- -I say-a [Confused.

a

Oak. What do you say, my dear ?

Mrs. Oak. I say-a-a-[Stammering.] Is she handsome ?

Oak. Prodigiously handsome indeed.

Mrs. Oak. Prodigiously handsome! and is she reckoned a sensible girl?

Oak. A very sensible, modest, agreeable young lady as ever I knew. You would be extremely fond of her, I am sure. You can't imagine how happy I was in her company. Poor Charles! she soon made a conquest of him, and no wonder, she has so many elegant accomplishments! such an infinite fund of cheerfulness and good humour! Why, she's the darling of the whole country.

Mrs. Oak. Lord! you seem quite in raptures about her!

Oak. Raptures!-not at all. I was only telling you the young lady's character. I thought you would be glad to find that Charles had made so sensible a choice, and was so likely to be happy.

Mrs. Oak. Oh, Charles! True, as you say, Charles will be mighty happy.

Oak. Don't you think so.

Mrs. Oak. I am convinced of it. Poor Charles! I am much concerned for him. He must be very uneasy about her. I was thinking whether we could be of any service to him in this affair.

Oak. Was you, my love? that is very good of you. Why, to be sure, we must endeavour to assist him. Let me see? How can we manage it? Gad! I have hit it. The luckiest thought! and it will be of great service to Charles.

Mrs. Oak. Well, what is it? [Eagerly.]—You know I would do any thing to serve Charles, and oblige you.

[Mildly.

Oak. That is so kind! Lord, my dear, if you would but always consider things in this proper light, and continue this amiable temper, we should be the happiest people

Mrs. Oak. I believe so; but what's your proposal?

Oak. I am sure you'll like it.--Charles, you know, may, perhaps, be so lucky as to meet with this ladyMrs. Oak. True.

Oak. Now I was thinking, that he might, with your leave, my dear

Mrs. Oak. Well!

Oak. Bring her home here

Mrs. Oak. How!

Oak. Yes, bring her home here, my dear;-it will make poor Charles's mind quite easy and you may take her under your protection till her father comes to

town.

Mrs. Oak. Amazing! this is even beyond my expectation.

Oak. Why!- -what!

Mrs. Oak. Was there ever such assurance! [Rises.] Take her under my protection! What! would you keep her under my nose?

Oak. Nay, I never conceived-I thought you would have approved

Mrs. Oak. What ! make me your convenient woman! -No place but my own house to serve your purposes? Oak. Lord, this is the strangest misapprehension! I am quite astonished.

Mrs. Oak. Astonished! yes-confused, detected, betrayed, by your vain confidence of imposing on me. Why, sure you imagine me an idiot, a driveller. Charles, indeed! yes, Charles is a fine excuse for you. The letter this morning, the letter, Mr. Oakly!

it

Oak. The letter! why sure that

Mrs. Oak. Is sufficiently explained. You have made very clear to me. Now I am convinced. I have no

doubt of your perfidy. But I thank you for some hints you have given me, and you may be sure I shall make use of them: nor will I rest, till I have full conviction, and overwhelm you with the strongest proof of your baseness towards me.

Oak. Nay, but

Mrs. Oak. Go, go! I have no doubt of your falsehood: away! [Exit MRS. OAKLY. Oak. Was there ever any thing like this? Such unaccountable behaviour! angry I don't know why! jealous of I know not what! Hints!--hints I have given her! What can she mean?

TOILET crossing the stage.

Toilet! where are you going?

Toil. To order the porter to let in no company to my lady to-day. She won't see a single soul, sir. [Exit.