Relieve a heart opprest:

Ah! why this palpitation?

Cease, busy perturbation,

And let me, let me rest.

Jen. My dear lady, what ails you?
Clar. Nothing, Jenny, nothing.

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Jen. Pardon me, Madam, there is something ails you indeed. Lord! what signifies all the grandeur and riches in this world, if they can't procure one content. I am sure it vexes me to the heart, so it does, to see such a dear, sweet, worthy young Lady, as you are, pining yourself to death.

380

Clar. Jenny, you are a good girl, and I am very much obliged to you for feeling so much on my account; but in a little time, I hope I shall be easier. Jen. Why, now, here to day, Madam, for sartain you ought to be merry to day, when there's a fine gentleman coming to court you; but, if you like any one else better, I am sure, I wish you had him, with all my soul.

Clar. Suppose, Jenny, I was so unfortunate, as to like a man without my father's approbation; would you wish me married to him?

391 Jen. I wish you married to any one, Madam, that could make you happy.

Clar. Heigho!

Jen. Madam! Madam! yonder's Sir John and Mr. Lionel on the terrace; I believe they are coming up here. Poor, dear Mr. Lionel, he does not seem

to be in over great spirits either. To be sure, Madam, it's no business of mine; but, I believe, if the truth was known, there are those in the house, who would give more than ever I shall be worth, or any the likes of me, to prevent the marriage of a sartain person that shall be nameless. 4°3

Clar. What do you mean? I don't understand you?

Jen. I hope you are not angry, Madam?

Clar. Ah! Jenny

Jen. Lauk! Madam, do you think, when Mr. Lionel's a clergyman, he'll be obliged to cut off his hair? I'm sure it will be a thousand pities, for it is the sweetest colour, and looks the nicest put up in a cue -and your great pudding-sleeves! Lord! they'll quite spoil his shape, and the fall of his shoulders. Well! Madam, if I was a lady of large fortune, I'll be hanged if Mr. Lionel should be a parson, if I could help it.

416

Clar. I'm going into my dressing room-It seems then Mr. Lionel is a great favourite of yours; but pray Jenny, have a care how you talk in this manner to any one else.

Jen. Me talk! Madam, I thought you knew me better; and, my dear Lady, keep up your spirits. I'm sure I have dressed you to day as nice as hands and pins can make you.

C

AIR.

I'm but a poor servant, 'tis true, Ma'am ;
But was I a lady like you, Ma'am,

In grief would I sit? The dickens a bit;

No, faith, I would search the world thro, Ma'am,
To find what my liking could hit.

Set in case a young man,

In my fancy there ran;

It might anger my friends and relations :

But if I had regard,

It should go very hard,

Or I'd follow my own inclinations.

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SCENE VII.

Sir JOHN FLOWERDALE, LIONEL.

• John. Indeed, Lionel, I will not hear of it. What! to run from us all of a sudden, this way: and at such a time too; the eve of my daughter's wedding, as I may call it; when your company must be doubly agreeable, as well as necessary to us? I am sure you have no studies at present, that require your attendance at Oxford: I must, therefore, insist on your putting such thoughts out of your head.

Lion. Upon my word, Sir, I have been so long from the university, that it is time for me to think of re

turning. It is true, I have no absolute studies; but, really, Sir, I shall be obliged to you, if you will give me leave to go.

448

Sir John. Come, come, my dear Lionel, I have for some time observed a more than ordinary gravity growing upon you, and I am not to learn the reason of it: I know, to minds serious, and well inclined, like yours, the sacred functions you are about to embrace

Lion. Dear Sir, your goodness to me, of every kind, is so great, so unmerited! Your condescension, your friendly attentions-in short, Sir, I want words to ex press my sense of obligations

Sir John. Fie, fie, no more of them. By my last letters, I find that my old friend, the rector, still continues in good health, considering his advanced years. You may imagine I am far from desiring the death of so worthy and pious a man; yet, I must own, at this time, I could wish you were in orders, as you might then perform the ceremony of my daughter's marriage; which would give me a secret satisfaction.

Lion. No doubt, Sir, any office in my power, that could be instrumental to the happiness of any in your family, I should perform with pleasure.

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Sir John. Why, really, Lionel, from the character of her intended husband, I have no room to doubt, but this match will make Clarissa perfectly happy : to be sure, the alliance is the most eligible, for both families.

Lion. If the gentleman is sensible of his happiness in the alliance, Sir.

Sir John. The fondness of a father is always suspected of partiality; yet, I believe, I may venture to say, that few young women will be found more unexceptionable than my daughter: her person is agreeable, her temper sweet, her understanding good; and, with the obligations she has to your instruction

Lion. You do my endeavors too much honour, Sir: I have been able to add nothing to Miss Flowerdale's accomplishments, but a little knowledge in matters of small importance to a mind already so well improved.

Sir John. I don't think so; a little knowledge, even in those matters, is necessary for a woman, in whom, I am far from considering ignorance as a desireable characteristic: when intelligence is not attended with impertinent affectation, it teaches them to judge with precision, and gives them a degree of solidity necessary for the companion of a sensible man. 493 Lion. Yonder's Mr. Jenkins: I fancy he's looking for you, Sir.

Sir John. I see him; he's come back from Colonel Oldboy's; I have a few words to say to him; and will return to you again in a minute.