Lady R. The whole of the story! no, Sir John: you shall suppress nothing: you could receive a picture

from her.

Sir John. You, madam, could receive a picture; and you, Mr. Beverley, could present it.

Lady R. Mr. Beverley, you hear this!

Bev. I can justify you, madam. I gave your lady no picture, Sir John.

Sir John. She had it in her hand. I saw her print her kisses on it, and in that moment I seized it from her.

Bev. Belinda dropped it in the Park, when she was taken ill I had just given it to her. Your lady found it there.

Lady R. I found it on that very spot.

Bev. There, sir; she found it.

Sir John. I found you locked up in her cabinet; concealed in private.

Lady R. But with no bad intent.

Sir John. With the worst intent.

Bev. Your jealousy, Sir John, has fixed an imputation upon me, who have not deserved it: and your suspicions, madam, have fallen, like a blasting mildew, upon a lady, whose name was never before sullied by the breath of calumny.

Sir W. The affair is clear, as to your daughter, Mr. Blandford. I am satisfied, and now we need not intrude any longer upon this family.

Enter BELLMONT and CLARISSA.

Walk in, George: every thing is right: your fears may now go to rest.

Lady R. I shall not stay another night in this house. Time will explain every thing. Call my chairmen, there. Sir John has it his own way at present.

Enter CHAIRMEN.

You have settled this among yourselves. I shall now

go to my brother.

present. Hold up.

Sir John, I have no more to say at

[Goes to the chair. Sir John. Let the chair alone. You shall not go: you shall not quit this house, till I consent.

[Goes between her and the chair.

Lady R. I say, hold up.

Sir John. Let it alone.

Lady R. Very well, sir: I must be your prisoner, must I?

Sir John. It is mine to command here. No loose escapes this night; no assignations; no intrigues to disgrace me.

Lady R. Such inhuman treatment! I am glad there are witnesses of your behaviour. [Walks away. Bland. I am sorry to see all this confusion; but since my daughter is not here

Lady R. He knows where she is, and so you will find.

Sir John. [Coming forward.] Your daughter is innocent, sir, I give you my honour. Where should she be in this house? Lady Restless has occasioned all this mischief. She formed a story to palliate her own misconduct. To her various artifices you are a stranger; but in a few days you may depend

Lady R. [Aside, as she goes towards the chair.] He shall find that I am not to be detained here.

[Makes signs to the CHAIRMEN, to hold up. Sir John. I say, gentlemen, you may depend that I have full proof, and in a little time every thing will [The chair is opened, and BELINDA comes out. Lady R. Who has proof now? There, there! in his house all the time!

Bland. What do I see?

Bev. Belinda here!

Sir W. So, so! there is something in it, I see.
Sir John. Distraction! this is unlucky.

Lady R. What say you now, Mr. Beverley?-Now, Mr. Blandford! there; occular demonstration for you!

Sir W. George, take Clarissa as soon as you will. Mr. Blandford, you will excuse me, if I now decline any further treaty with you.

Bland. This abrupt behaviour, Sir William—

Sir W. I am satisfied, sir. I am resolved.

Clarissa, you have my approbation: my son is at your service. Here, George, take her, and be happy.

Bell. [Taking her hand.] To you, from this moment, I dedicate all my future days.

Bland. Very well: take your own way. I can still protect my daughter.

Bev. And she deserves your protection: my dear Belinda, explain all this: I know it is in your power.

Belin. This generous behaviour, sir, recals me to new life. You, I am now convinced, have been accused by my Lady Restless without foundation. Whatever turn her ladyship's unhappy self-tormenting fancy may give to my conduct, it may provoke a smile, but will excite no other passion.

Lady R. Mighty fine! what brought you to this house?

Belin. To be a witness of your folly, madam, and Sir John's into the bargain.

Bell. That I can vouch: Sir John can fill his mind with vain chimeras, with as apt a disposition as his lady. Beverley has been represented in the falsest colours

Lady R. That I admit: Sir John invented the story. Bev. And Belinda, madam, has been cruelly slandered by you.

Sir John. She has so: that I admit.

Belin. And my desire to see all this cleared up, brought me to this house, madam. Now you see what has made this confusion.

Lady R. O, I expected these airs! You may discuss

the point where you please: I will hear no more upon the subject.

Bland. Madam, the subject must be settled.

· [Exit.

[Follows her.

Sir John. You have a right to insist upon it: the whole shall be explained this moment.-Sir William, you are a dispassionate man, give us your assistance.

[Exit. Sir W. With all my heart. George, you are no longer concerned in this business, and I am glad of it. [Exit with Young Bellmont.

Clar. [To BEVERLEY.] Now, brother, now is your time: your difficulties are all removed. Sir John suspected you without reason: my Lady Restless did the same to Belinda: you are both in love, and now may do each other justice. I can satisfy my Lady Restless and your father.

Bev. I see, I see my rashness.

Belin. I have been terribly deceived.
Bev. If she would but forgive my folly!

[Exit.

[Aside.

[Aside,

Belin. Why does not he open his mind to me? I

can't speak first.

Bev. What apology can I make her?-Belinda!

Belin. Charming! he begins.

Bev. [Approaching.] Belinda!

linda!

Belin. Mr. Beverley !

Bev. Don't you think you

me, Belinda?

[Smiles aside.

[Aside and smiling.

no answer?-Be

have been very cruel to [Advancing towards her.

[Without looking at him.

Belin. Don't you think you have been barbarous to

me?

Bev. I have: I grant it.

to forgive me?

Belin. [Without looking at him.] You have kept me on the rack this whole day, and can you wonder that I feel myself unhappy?

Bev. I am to blame: I acknowledge it. If you knew

how my own heart reproaches me, you would spare yourself the trouble. With tears in my eyes I now speak to you: I acknowledge all my errors.

Belin. [Looking at him.] Those are not tears, Mr. Beverley.

Bev. They are; you see that they are.

Belin. Ah! you men can command tears.

[Smiling.

Bev. My life! my angel! [Kisses her hand.] Do you forgive me?

Belin. No; I hate you.

[Looking pleased at him.

Beo. Now, I don't believe that. [Kisses her cheek.] Do you hate me, Belinda?

Belin. How could you let an extravagance of temper get the better of you? You know the sincerity of my affection. Oh, Mr. Beverley! was it not ungenerous?

Bev. It was; I own it; on my knees I own it.

Belin. [Laughing.] Oh! proud man! have I humbled you?-Since you submit to my will and pleasure, I think I can forgive you. Beg my picture back this moment. [Shows it to him.

Bev. [Taking the picture.] I shall adore it ever, and heal this breach with uninterrupted love.

Enter SIR JOHN, LADY RESTLESS, SIR WILLIAM, BLANDford, BellmoNT, and CLARISSA.

Sir John. [Laughing.] Why, yes: it is very clear. I can now laugh at my own folly, and my wife's too. Lady R. There has been something of a mistake, I believe.

Bev. You see, Sir John, what your suspicions are come to. I never was within your doors before this day; nor should I, perhaps, have had the honour of speaking to your lady, had it not been for the misunderstanding your mutual jealousies occasioned between Belinda and me.

Bland. And your ladyship has been ingenious enough