helped. Accidents will happen to people that travel abroad to see the world-For my part, I think it's a mercy it was not overturned, before we were all out on't.

Sir Fran. Why, ay, that's true again, my dear,

Lady W. Therefore, see to-morrow if we can buy one at second hand, for present use; so bespeak a new one, and then all's easy.

Moody. Why, troth, sir, I don't think this could have held you above a day longer.

Sir Fran. D'ye think so, John?

Moody. Why, you ha' had it, ever since your worship were high sheriff.

Sir Fran. Why, then, go and see what Doll has got us for supper-and come, and get off my boots. [Exit SIR FRANCIS and MOODY. Lady W. In the mean time, miss, do you step to Handy, and bid her get me some fresh night-clothes.

[Exit.

[Exit.

Jenny. Yes, mamma, and some for myself too.
'Squire R. Ods-flesh! and what mun I do all alone?

I'll e'en seek out where t'other pratty miss is,
And she and I'll go play at cards for kisses.

[Exit,

ACT III.

Scene I.-Lord Townly's House.

Enter LORD TOWNLY and WILLIAMS.

Lord T. Who's there?

Wil. My lord!

Lord T. Bid them get dinner-[Exit WILLIAMS.] Lady Grace, your servant!

Enter LADY GRACE.

Lady G. What, is the house up already?-My lady is not dressed yet.

Lord T. No matter-it's five o'clock-she may break my rest, but she shall not alter my hours.

Lady G. Nay, you need not fear that now, for she dines abroad.

Lord T. That, I suppose, is only an excuse for her not being ready yet.

Lady G. No, upon my word, she is engaged in company.

Lord T. But, pr'ythee, sister, what humour is she in to-day?

Lady G. Oh, in tip-top spirits, I can assure you!she won a good deal last night.

Lord T. I know no difference, between her winning or losing, while she continues her course of life.

Lady G. However, she is better in good humour, than bad.

Lord T. Much alike: when she is in good humour, other people only are the better for it-when in a very ill humour, then, indeed, I seldom fail to have a share of her.

-Does any

Lady G. Well, we won't talk of that now-)

body dine here?

Lord T. Manly promised me-By the way, madam, what do you think of his last conversation?

Lady G. I am a little at a stand about it.

Lord T. How so?

Lady G. Why-I have received a letter this morning, that shows him a very different man from what I thought him.

Lord T. A letter! from whom?

Lady G. That I don't know; but there it is.

[Gives a letter.

Lord T. Pray let's see

[Reads.

The enclosed, madam, fell accidentally into my hands; if it no way concerns you, you will only have the trouble of reading this, from your sincere friend, and humble servant, unknown, &c.

Lady G. And this was the enclosed. [Gives another. Lord T. [Reads.]

TO CHARLES MANLY, Esq.

Your manner of living with me of late, convinces me, that I now grow as painful to you, as to myself; but, however, though you can love me no longer, I hope you will not let me live worse than I did, before I left an honest income, for the vain hopes of being ever yours,

MYRTILLA DUPE.

P. S. 'Tis above four months since I received a shilling from you.

Lady G. What think you now?

Lord T. I am considering

Lady G. You see it's directed to him?

Lord T. That's true; but the postscript seems to be a reproach, that I think he is not capable of deserving. Lady G. But who could have concern enough to send it to me?

Lord T. I have observed, that these sort of letters from unknown friends, generally come from secret

enemies.

Lady G. What would you have me do in it?

Lord T. What I think you ought to do-fairly show it him, and say I advised you to it.

Lady G. Will not that have a very odd look from me?

Lord T. Not at all, if you use my name in it; if he is innocent, his impatience to appear so, will discover

his regard to you. If he is guilty, it will be the best way of preventing his addresses.

Lady G. But what pretence have I, to put him out of countenance?

Lord T. I can't think there's any fear of that.

Lady G. Pray, what is it you do think then?

Lord T. Why, certainly, that it's much more probable, this letter may be all an artifice, than that he is in the least concerned in it.

Enter WILLIAMS.

Wil. Mr. Manly, my lord.

[Exit.

Lord T. Do you receive him, while I step a minute

to my lady.

Enter MANLY.

[Exit.

Manly. Madam, your most obedient-they told me my lord was here.

Lady G. He will be here presently; he is but just

gone

in to my

sister.

Manly. So, then, my lady dines with us?

Lady G. No; she is engaged.

Manly. I hope you are not of her party, madam?
Lady G. Not till after dinner.

Manly. And pray, how may she have disposed of the rest of the day?

Lady G. Much as usual; she has visits till about eight; after that, till court time, she is to be at quadrille, at Mrs. Idle's; after the drawing-room, she takes a short supper with my Lady Moonlight. And, from thence, they go together to my Lord Noble's assembly.

Manly. And are you to do all this with her, madam? Lady G. Only a few of the visits: I would, indeed, have drawn her to the play; but I doubt we have so much upon our hands, that it will not be practicable.

Manly. But how can you forbear all the rest of it?

Lady G. There's no great merit in forbearing what one is not charmed with.

Manly. And yet I have found that very difficult in my time.

Lady G. How do you mean?

Manly. Why, I have passed a great deal of my life in the hurry of the ladies, though I was generally better pleased when I was at quiet without them. Lady G. What induced you then to be with them? Manly. Idleness, and the fashion.

Lady G. No mistresses in the case?

Manly. To speak honestly-yes-Being often in the toy-shop, there was no forbearing the baubles.

Lady G. And of course, I suppose, sometimes you were tempted to pay for them twice as much as they were worth.

Manly. Madam!

Lady G. I'll be free with you, Mr. Manly-I don't know a man in the world, that, in appearance, might better pretend to a woman of the first merit than yourself: and yet I have a reason in my hand, here, to think you have your failings.

Manly. I have infinite, madam; but I am sure the want of an implicit respect for you, is not among the number.-Pray, what is in your hand, madam?

Lady G. Nay, sir, I have no title to it, for the direction is to you. [Gives him a letter. Manly. To me! I don't remember the hand.

[Reads to himself. Lady G. I can't perceive any change of guilt in him; and his surprise seems natural. [Aside.] Give me leave to tell you one thing, by the way, Mr. Manly; that I should never have shown you this, but that my brother enjoined me to it.

Manly. I take that to proceed from my lord's good opinion of me, madam.