growing most abominably surly and extravagant, as you know all these fellows do, I turned him off; and ever since my brother, Slouch Trinket, has had the care of my stud, rides all my principal matches himself, and

Har. Dear my lord, don't talk of your groom and your brother, but tell me the news. Do you know any thing of my father?

Lord T. Your father, madam, is now in town. This fellow, you must know, is now groom to Sir Harry Beagle, your sweet rural swain, and informed me that his master and your father were running all over the town in quest of you; and that he himself had orders to inquire after you for which reason, I suppose, he came to the riding-house stables, to look after a horse, thinking it, to be sure, a very likely place to meet you. Your father, perhaps, is gone to seek you at the Tower, or Westminster Abbey, which is all the idea he has of London; and your faithful lover is probably cheapening a hunter, and drinking strong beer, at the Horse and Jockey in Smithfield.

Lady F. The whole set admirably disposed of!

Har. Did not your lordship inform him where I was?

Lord T. Not I, 'pon honour, madam; that I left to their own ingenuity to discover.

Lady F. And pray, my lord, where in this town have this polite company bestowed themselves?

Lord T. They lodge, madam, of all places in the world, at the Bull and Gate Inn, in Holborn.

Lady F. Ha! ha! ha! The Bull and Gate! Incomparable! What, have they brought any hay or cattle to town?

Lord T. Very well, Lady Freelove, very well, indeed! There they are, like so many graziers; and there it seems they have learned that this lady is certainly in London.

Har. Do, dear madam, send a card directly to my father, informing him where I am, and that your ladyship would be glad to see him here. For my part I dare not venture into his presence, till you have, in some measure, pacified him; but, for heaven's sake, desire him not to bring that wretched fellow along with him.

Lord T. Wretched fellow! Oho! Courage, Milor [Aside.

Trinket!

Lady F. I'll send immediately. Who's there?

Enter a SERVANT.

Serv. [Apart to LADY FREELOVE.] Sir Harry Beagle is below, madam.

Lady F. [Apart to SERVANT.] I am not at home.Have they let him in ?

Serv. Yes, madam.

Lady F. How abominably unlucky this is! Well, then, show him into my dressing-room, I will come to him there. [Exit SERVANT. Lord T. Lady Freelove! no engagement, I hope? We won't part with you, 'pon honour.

Lady F. The worst engagement in the world. A pair of musty old prudes! Lady Formal and Miss Prate. Lord. T. O the beldams! As nauseous as ipecacuanha, 'pon honour.

rid

Lady F. Lud! lud! what shall I do with them? Why do these foolish women come troubling me now? I must wait on them in the dressing-room, and you must excuse the card, Harriet, till they are gone. I'll dispatch them as soon as I can, but heaven knows when I shall get of them, for they are both everlasting gossips! though the words come from her ladyship one by one, like drops from a still, while the other tiresome woman overwhelms us with a flood of impertinence. Harriet, you'll entertain his lordship till I return. [Exit. Lord T. Gone!-'Pon honour, I am not sorry for the

coming in of these old tabbies, and am much obliged to her ladyship, for leaving us such an agreeable tête à

tête.

Har. Your lordship will find me extremely bad company.

Lord T. Not in the least, my dear! We'll entertain ourselves one way or other, I'll warrant you.-'Egad, I think it a mighty good opportunity to establish a better acquaintance with you.

Har. I don't understand you.

Lord T. No?Why then I'll speak plainer.[Pausing, and looking her full in the face.] You are an amazing fine creature, 'pon honour.

Har. If this be your lordship's polite conversation, I shall leave you to amuse yourself in soliloquy. [Going. Lord T. No, no, no, madam, that must not be. [Stopping her.] This place, my passion, the opportunity, all conspire

Har. How, sir! you don't intend to do me any violence?

Lord. T. 'Pon honour, ma'am, it will be doing great violence to myself, if I do not. You must excuse me.

Har. Help! help! murder! help!

[Struggling with her.

[Struggling.

Lord T. Your yelping will signify nothing-nobody

will come.

Har. For heaven's sake!—Sir !—My lord

Charles. What do I hear? My Harriet's voice calling for help! Ha! [Seeing them.] Is it possible?-Turn,

ruffian! I'll find you employment.

[Drawing.

Lord T. You are a most impertinent scoundrel, and I'll whip you through the lungs, 'pon honour.

[They fight-HARRIET runs out, screaming, Help! &c. Enter LADY FREELOVE, SIR HARRY BEAGLE, and SERVANTS.

Lady F. How's this?-Swords drawn in my house! -Part them--[They are parted.] This is the most impudent thing

Lord T. Well, rascal, I shall find a time; I know you, sir!

too.

Charles. The sooner the better; I know your lordship

Sir H. I'faith, madam, [To LADY FREELOVE.] we had like to have been in at the death.

Lady F. What is all this? Pray, sir, what is the meaning of your coming hither, to raise this disturbance? Do you take my house for a brothel ? [TO CHARLES. Charles. Not I, indeed, madam; but I believe his lordship does.

Lord T. Impudent scoundrel!

Lady F. Your conversation, sir, is as insolent as your behaviour. Who are you? What brought you here?

Charles. I am one, madam, always ready to draw my sword in defence of innocence in distress, and more especially in the cause of that lady I delivered from his lordship's fury; in search of whom I troubled your ladyship's house.

Lady F. Her lover, I suppose; or what?

Charles. At your ladyship's service; though not quite so violent in my passion as his lordship there.

Lord T. Impertinent rascal!

Lady F. You shall be made to repent of this insolence.

Lord T. Your ladyship may leave that to me.
Charles. Ha! ha!

Sir H. But, pray what is become of the lady all this while? Why, Lady Freelove, you told me she was not

here, and i'faith, I was just drawing off another way, if I had not heard the view-halloo.

Lady F. You shall see her immediately, sir! Who's there?

Enter a SERVANT.

Where is Miss Russet!

Serv. Gone out, madam.

Lady F. Gone out? Where?

Serv. I don't know, madam: but she ran down the back stairs, crying for help, crossed the servants' hall in tears, and took a chair at the door.

Lady F. Blockheads! to let her go out in a chair alone!-Go and inquire after her immediately. [Exit SERVANT. Sir H. Gone!--What a pox, had I just run her down, and is the little puss stole away at last?

Lady F. Sir, if you will walk in, [To SIR HARRY.] with his lordship and me, perhaps you may hear some tidings of her; though it is most probable, she may be gone to her father. I don't know any other friend she has in town.

Charles, I am heartily glad she is gone. She is safer any where than in this house.

Lady F. Mighty well, sir!-My lord, Sir Harry,-I attend you.

Lord T. You shall hear from me, sir! [To CHARles. Charles. Very well, my lord.

Sir H. Stole away!--pox on't

-stole away!

[Exeunt SIR HARRY and LORD TRINKET. Lady F. Before I follow the company, give me leave to tell you, sir, that your behaviour here has been so extraordinary-

Charles. My treatment here, madam, has indeed been very extraordinary.

Lady F. Indeed!—Well, no matter-permit me to acquaint you, sir, that there lies your way out, and that