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Love. [Bowing ] That's your lordship's goodness. Her choice was a disinterested one.

Lord O. No, no; not altogether; it began with interest, and ended in passion.

Love. Indeed, my lord, if you were acquainted with her goodness of heart, and generosity of mind, as well as you are with the inferior beauties of her face and person

Lord O. I am so perfectly convinced of their existence, and so totally of your mind, touching every amiable particular of that sweet girl, that were it not for the cold unfeeling impediments of the law, I would marry her to-morrow morning.

Love. My lord!

Lord O. I would, by all that's honourable in man, and amiable in woman.

Love. Marry her!

-Who do you mean, my lord?

Lord O. Miss Fanny Sterling that is; the Countess of Ogleby that shall be.

Love. I am astonished!

Lord O. Why, could you expect less from me?
Love. I did not expect this, my lord.

Lord 0. Trade and accounts have destroyed your feeling.

Love. No, indeed, my lord.

[Sighs.

Lord O. The moment that love and pity entered my breast, I was resolved to plunge into matrimony, and shorten the girl's tortures-I never do any thing by halves; do I, Lovewell?

Love. No, indeed, my lord. [Sighs.] What an accident!

Lord O. What's the matter, Lovewell? thou seem'st [o have lost thy faculties. Why don't you wish me joy,

man?

Love. O, I do, my lord.

[Sighs. Lord O. She said that you would explain what she

had not power to utter; but I wanted no interpreter for the language of love.

Love. But has your lordship considered the consequences of your resolution?

Lord O. No, sir, I am above consideration, when my desires are kindled.

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

Lord O. Sir John has considered no consequences himself, Mr. Lovewell.

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

Lord O. Sir John has already refused Mr. Sterling's daughter.

Love. But what will become of Miss Sterling, my lord?

Lord O. 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 sonin-law, instead of Sir John Melyil, 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..

Lord O. Whatever is the question, I'll tell you my answer.—I am in love with a fine girl, whom I resolve to marry.

Enter SIR JOHN MELVIL.

What news with you, Sir John ?—You look all 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 and to myself have demanded from me some time.

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

[He smiles, and LOVEWELL bows.

Sir John. I find 'tis in vain, my lord, to struggle against the force of inclination.

Lord O. Very true, nephew; I am your witness, and will second the motion-shan't I, Lovewell?

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

Lord O. I am not at all surprised at it—she's a bitter potion, that's the truth of it; but as you were to swallow it, 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.

Lord O. O yes; by all means-have you any hopes there, nephew?-Do you think he'll succeed, Lovewell? [Smiles, and winks at LovEwEll.

.

Love. I think not, my lord.

Lord O. I think so too; but let the fool try.

[Gravely.

Sir John. Will your lordship favour me with your good offices to remove the chief obstacle to the match, the repugnance of Mrs. Heidelberg?

Lord O. Mrs. Heidelberg?-Had not you better begin with the young lady first? It will save you a great deal of trouble, won't it, Lovewell? [Smiles.] But do what you please, it will be the same thing to me: won't it, Lovewell? [Conceitedly.] Why don't you laugh at him?

Love. I do, my lord.

[Forces a smile.

Sir John. And your lordship will endeavour to prevail on Mrs. Heidelberg to consent to my marriage with Miss Fanny?

Lord O. I'll speak to Mrs. Heidelberg about the adorable Fanny, as soon as possible.

Sir John. Your generosity transports me.

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

[Aside,

Sir John. And your lordship is not in the least offended at this seeming inconstancy?

Lord O. Not in the least. Miss Fanny's charms will even excuse infidelity. I look upon women as the fera natura-lawful game-and every man who is qualified, has a natural right to pursue them ;-Lovewell as well as you, and I as well as either of you.-Every man shall do his best, without offence to any-what say you, kinsmen?

Sir John. You have made me happy, my lord.

Love. And me, I assure you, my lord.

Lord 0. And I am superlatively so-allons done! To horse and away, boys! you to your affairs, and I to mine—suivons l'amour. [Sings.] [Exeunt, severally.

ACT V.

Scene I.-Fanny's Apartment.

Enter LOVEWELL and FANNY, followed by BETTY. Fanny. Why did you come so soon, Mr. Lovewell? the family is not yet in bed, and Betty certainly heard somebody listening near the chamber-door.

Betty. 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? Betty. I think we have wickedness and curiosity enough in this family, sir, to expect the worst.

Fanny. I do expect the worst.-Pr'ythee, Betty, return to the outward door, and listen if you hear any body in the gallery; and let us know directly. Betty. I warrant you, madam-the Lord bless you both!

[Exit.

Fanny. 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 Ogleby.

Fanny. And why did you not obey him?

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

Fanny. 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.

Fanny. I fear every body, and every thing, and every moment-my mind is in continual agitation and dread; . indeed, 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 case, the meanest consideration-of our fortune!-Were we to be abandoned by all our relations, we have that in our hearts and minds will weigh against the most affluent circumstances. I should not have proposed the secresy of our marriage, 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.

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