madam. It is sufficiently paid. Pray, don't let me detain you.

Oak. For shame! for shame! Mrs. Oakly! How can you be so absurd? Is this proper behaviour to a lady of her character?

Mrs. Oak. I have heard her character. Go, my fine runaway madam! Now you have eloped from your family, and run away from your aunt! Go!You sha'n't stay here, I promise you.

Oak. Pr'ythee, be quiet. You don't know what you are doing. She shall stay.

Mrs. Oak. She sha'n't stay a minute.

Oak. She shall stay a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year!-'Sdeath, madam, she shall stay for ever, if I choose it.

Mrs. Oak. How!

Har. For heaven's sake, sir, let me go. frightened to death.

Oak. Don't be afraid, madam!

insist upon it.

I am

-She shall stay, I

Rus. [Within.] I tell you, sir, I will go up. I am sure the lady is here, and nothing shall hinder me.

Har. O, my father! my father!

[Faints away. Oak. See! she faints. [Catching her.]--Ring the bell! Who's there?

Mrs. Oak. What! take her into your arms too!-I have no patience.

Enter RUSSET.

Rus. Where is this-ha! fainting! [Running to her.] 0, my dear Harriet! my child! my child! Oak. Your coming so abruptly shocked her spirits. But she revives. How do you, madam?

Har. [To RUSSET.] O, sir!

you run away

from

Rus. O, my dear girl! how could your father, that loves you with such fondness!--But

I was sure I should find you here——

you so

Mrs. Oak. There-there!-sure he should find her here! Did I not tell ›?- -Are not you a wicked man, to carry on such base, underhand doings, with a gentleman's daughter?

Rus. Let me tell you, sir, whatever you may think of the matter, I shall not easily put up with this behaviour.-How durst you encourage my daughter to an elopement, and receive her in your house?

Mrs. Oak. There, mind that!

as the light.

-The thing is as plain

Oak. I tell you, you misunderstand

Rus. Look you, Mr. Oakly, I shall expect satisfaction from your family for so gross an affront.

-Zounds,

sir, I am not to be used ill by any man in England. Har. My dear sir, I can assure you——

Rus. Hold your tongue, girl! You'll put me in a passion.

Oak. Sir, this is all a mistake.

Rus. A mistake! Did not I find her in your house? Oak. Upon my soul, she has not been in my house above

Mrs. Oak. Did not I hear you say, you would take her a lodging, a private lodging?

Oak. Yes, but that

Rus. Has not this affair been carried on a long time in spite of my teeth?

Oak. Sir, I never troubled myself

Mrs. Oak. Never troubled yourself!-Did not you insist on her staying in the house, whether I would or no?

Oak. No,

Rus. Did not you send to meet her, when she came to town?

Oak. No.

Mrs. Oak. Did not you deceive me about the letter this morning?

Oak. No-no-no-I tell you, no.

Mrs. Oak. Yes-yes-yes--I tell you, yes.
Rus. Sha'n't I believe my own eyes?
Mrs. Oak. Sha'n't I believe my own ears?
Oak. I tell you, you are both deceived.
Rus. Zounds, sir, I'll have satisfaction.

Mrs. Oak. I'll stop these fine doings, I warrant you. Oak. 'Sdeath, you will not let me speak-and you are both alike, I think.—I wish you were married to one another, with all my heart.

Mrs. Oak. Mighty well! mighty well!

Rus. I shall soon find a time to talk with you.

Oak. Find a time to talk! you have talked enough now for all your lives. Mrs. Oak. Very fine! lady with her father. hands.

Come along, sir! Leave that
Now she is in the properest

Oak. I wish I could leave you in his hands. [Going, returns.] One word with you, sir!--The height of your passion, and Mrs. Oakly's strange misapprehension of this whole affair, makes it impossible to explain matters to you at present. I will do it when you please, and how you please.

-So, madam! You have made a fine con

Rus. Yes, yes; I'll have satisfaction.I have found you at last.

fusion here.

Har. I have, indeed, been the innocent cause of a great deal of confusion.

Rus. Innocent!--What business had you to be running hither after

Har. My dear sir, you misunderstand the whole affair. I have not been in this house half an hour.

Rus. Zounds, girl, don't put me in a passion!You know I love you- -but a lie puts me in a passion. But come along-we'll leave this house directly [CHARLES, singing without.] Hey day! what now?

After a noise without, enter CHarles, drunk.

Charles.

But my wine neither nurses nor babies can bring, And a big-bellied bottle's a mighty good thing. [Singing. What's here? a woman? Harriet! impossible! My dearest, sweetest Harriet! I have been looking all over the town for you, and at last――when I was tiredand weary-and disappointed-why, then, the honest Major and I sat down together to drink your health in pint bumpers. [Running up to her.

Rus. Stand off!- -How dare you take any liberty with my daughter before me? Zounds, sir, I'll be the death of you.

Charles. Ha! 'Squire Russet too!--You jolly old cock, how do you do?-But Harriet! my dear girl! [Taking hold of her.] My life, my soul, my-

Rus. Let her go, sir-come away, Harriet!-Leave him this instant, or I'll tear you asunder.

[Pulling her. Har. There needs no violence to tear me from a man, who could disguise himself in such a gross manner, at a time when he knew I was in the utmost distress.

[Disengages herself, and exit with RUSSET.

Charles. Only hear me, sir-madam !· my dear Harriet―Mr. Russet-gone!—she's gone!—and, 'egad, in very ill-humour, and in very bad company! --I'll go after her but hold!—I shall only make it worse as I did-now I recollect-once before. How the devil came they here?—Who would have thought of finding her in my own house?—My head turns round with conjectures.-I believe I am drunk-very drunk-so, 'egad, I'll e'en go and sleep myself sober, and then inquire the meaning of all this. For,

I love Sue, and Sue loves me, &c.

[Exit, singing.

ACT IV.

Scene I.-Oakly's House.

Enter CHARLES and MAJOR OAKLY.

Maj. Poor Charles! What a scene of confusion! I would give the world to have been there.

Charles. And I would give the world to have been any where else.—May wine be my poison, if ever I am drunk again !

Maj. Ay, ay, so every man says, the next morning.

Charles. Where, where can she be? Her father would hardly carry her back to Lady Freelove's, and he has no house in town himself, nor Sir Harry—I don't know what to think I'll go in search of her, though I don't know where to direct myself.

Enter WILLIAM.

Will. A gentleman, sir, that calls himself Captain O'Cutter, desires to speak with you.

Charles. Don't trouble me

I'm not at home

-I'll see nobody

Will. The gentleman says, he has very particular business, and he must see you.

Charles. What's his name? Who did you say?
Will. Captain O'Cutter, sir.

Charles. Captain O'Cutter! I never heard of him before. Do you know any thing of him, Major?

Maj. Not I-But you hear he has particular business. I'll leave the room.

Charles. He can have no business that need be a secret to you.-Desire the Captain to walk up.

[Exit WILLIAM.