lady from these appearances, you wrong her much, I

assure you.

Lady R. Sir, I desire you will explain all this.
Bev. Call up your maid, madam, and then-

Sir John. No, sir; no more of it. I am satisfied. I wish you good night.

Bev. When you are willing to listen to reason, I shall be ready to convince you of your error. Madam, you may depend I shall do justice to your honour upon all occasions. And now I take my leave. [Exit. Sir John. Now, my Lady Restless, now! you are thoroughly known! all your artifices are known; Mr. Beverley is known; my Lord Conquest is known.

Lady R. My Lord Conquest, sir! I despise all your imputations. My Lord Conquest's maid, sir! what can you say to that?

Sir John. Very well, madam! 'tis now my turn to write to your brother, and I promise you I will do it.

Lady R. You will write, sir! you will write!-ha! ha! You make yourself very ridiculous! you do indeed!-ha! ha!

Sir John. 'Sdeath! madam, am I to be insulted with a contumelious laugh into the bargain!

Lady R. Why, my dear, this was all done-to-toto-cure you of your jealousy; for I knew you would act as you have done, and so I resolved to do as I have done. Was it not well done, my dear?

Sir John. D--nation! this is too much

all patience.

-Ha, ha! it is beyond

Lady R. Ha! ha! ha! the tables are turned, I think. [Sings and laughs.

Sir John. Let me tell you, it is no laughing matter. You are a vile woman; I know you, and the world shall know you: I promise you it shall.

Lady R. I am clear in my own conviction, and your slander I despise; nor shall your artifices blind me of

my friends any longer. Sir, as you say, it is no laughing matter. I promise you, you shall never dishonour me again in this house.

Sir John, And I promise you, madam, that you shall never dishonour me in any house.

Lady R. Injurious, false, perfidious man!

Sir John. Deceitful, wanton! wanton woman !

[Exeunt, at opposite doors,

ACT V.

Scene I.-An Apartment at Mr. Blandford's.

Enter BELINDA.

Belin. Ungenerous, false, deceitful Beverley! under that fair appearance, could I imagine that he harboured so much treachery?—Attached to Lady Restless; engaged in a dishonourable intrigue with the wife of another, and yet professing an affection for me, with ardour professing it, and for me only!-He is likely to regard the honour of the marriage-bed, who is ready to commit a trespass on the happiness of his neighbour. It was Providence sent Sir John Restless to pay me a visit. The whole is now brought to light, and, Mr. Beverley, I have done with you for ever!-I shall now obey my father's commands. By giving my hand to Sir William Bellmont's son, I shall punish an undeserving libertine for his treachery.

Enter TIPPET.

Well, Tippet, have you done as I ordered you?
Tip. I have, madam.

Belin. The perfidious man !-Did you ever know

such behaviour?

Tip. He is a traitor, like the rest of them,

Belin. After all the regard I professed for him!— after so many ardent vows and protestations as he has made me!

Tip. The hours that he has sighed away at your

feet!

Belin. I will banish him from my thoughts.-My resolution is fixed, and so I have told my father.-Is Sir William Bellmont with him?

Tip. He is, ma'am: they are both in close talk :— they are over their glass, and are so overjoyed at the change of your mind.

Belin. And I applaud myself for what I have done. -O, Mr. Beverley! you have forced me to this extremity. Here, take this letter, Tippet, and give it to him with your own hands.

Tip. He shall have it.

Belin. Where are all his letters?

Tip. Here, ma'am.

[Takes the letter.

[Shows a parcel,

Belin. The bracelets, and the pocket-book?
Tip. I have them safe.

Belin. Very well: take his presents home to him; and, do you hear? bring me back all the foolish letters I writ to him.

Tip. Never doubt me: I won't quit the house without them.-Exchange is all fair.

Belin. That letter will tell him, that though I now break with him, in a manner that may seem abrupt, his character and conduct has compelled me to it.-Be sure you confirm that to him.

Tip. He shall hear it all, and roundly too.

Belin. Very well; you may go.-Tippet,-ask his man-as if from yourself, carelessly, as it were by accident,—whether his master has talked of me? And what he said, Tippet.

Tip. I know Mr. Brush; I can wheedle it out of him, I warrant me.

Belin. Get at the particulars ;-not that I care;—Į

don't want to know any thing about the ungrateful man. It does not concern me now. My foolish weakness is over ;-let him care as little for me as I do for

him. You may tell him so.

Tip. Your message sha'n't lose in the carrying.

Belin. Well, that's all :-you may begone.

Tip. Yes, ma'am.

Belin. Mind what I have said.

Tip. You may trust me.

Belin. Don't forget a word of it.

Tip. No, not a syllable.

[Going.

[Going.

[Going.

Belin. And, harkye;-tell him how easy, how composed I am. That will gall him. You see, Tippet, I am quite unconcerned.

[Forcing a smile. Tip. Yes, ma'am; you don't seem to fret in the least. Belin. It is easy to perceive that I am not at all disconcerted. You may see how gay I am upon the [Affecting to laugh. Tip. [Laughing.] O, yes, ma'am; you make quite a laughing matter of it.

occasion.

Belin. Very true; a perfect air of indifference!Well, I have done.-Tell him, that upon no account will I ever exchange a word with him that I will never hear of him;-never think of him ;-never see him; and never, upon any consideration, admit the smallest intercourse ;-no, never!-I will have no more to do with him.

Tip. I have my lesson, ma'am, and I am glad you are so resolved upon it.

[Going.

Enter a SERVant.

Serv. Mr. Beverley, madam.
Tip. You must not let him

up stairs-my lady will

never see his face.

Serv. Not see Mr. Beverley!

Belin. Don't be in a passion, Tippet.-Whom did

you say,

Thomas?

Serv. Mr. Beverley, madam.

Belin. Yes, I think I may see him: show him up, [Exit SERVANT.]I will see him once more, and tell him all myself. It will come better from me, Tippet.

Tip. Yes, ma'am, you will do it with a better grace; and your resolution will melt away like a bit of sugar in your mouth:

Belin. My resolution is not to be altered: you may withdraw, Tippet.

Tip. Yes, ma'am.Ah! she has a hankering after him still.

[Exit. Belin. I shall now take my leave of him.-But then, my friend Clarissa! can I rob her of her lover ?—She has not deserved it at my hands. Though Mr. Beverley has deceived me, must I be false to honour, and to friendship?

Enter BEVERLEY.

Bev. Belinda! how gladly do I once again behold

Belin. And with what resentment have not I reason to behold, sir

Bev. You have, Belinda; you have reason, I grant it-forgive the rash words my folly uttered.

Belin. Mistake me not, sir: it is not your words I quarrel with; your actions, Mr. Beverley, your actions, sir!

Bev. They are not to be extenuated: but surely, after the letter you honoured me with

Belin. Sir, I have heard every thing since I was guilty of that folly,

Bev. Heard!-what!

Belin. Dissemble if you will; but this must be the last of our conversing together. My maid will return you whatever I have received from you: all my silly letters I must desire you to deliver to her; and then visit me no more, sir,