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Bridge. He came upon a qualifying message from Lord Abberville, as I believe; but 'tis such an extravagant old blade, he got amongst the pyramids of Egypt before he could well bring it out.

Mrs. Bridge. I would he was there, and his pupil with him; don't you see what a condition our poor girl is thrown into ?

Luc. I into a condition! No; they shall never have to say they threw me into a condition. I may be angry, but I scorn to own I'm disappointed.

Bridge. That's right, child; sure there are more men in the world than Lord Abberville.

Luc. La, papa! your ideas are so gross, as if I cared for any of the sex, if he hadn't singled her out from all women kind; but it is ever thus; she's born to be my evil genius; sure the men are mad-Tyrrel, Lord Abberville-one touched my heart, the other wounds my pride.

Bridge. Why, ay; there is a fine estate, a noble title, great connections, powerful interest.

Luc. Revenge is worth them all; drive her but out of doors, and marry me to a convent.

Bridge. But let us keep some shew of justice; this may be all a frolic of Lord Abberville's; the girl, perhaps, is innocent.

Luc. How can that be, when I am miserable?

Mrs. Bridge. Come, she's been suffered in your house too long; had I been mistress, she should have quitted it last night upon the instant: would she had never entered it.

D

Bridge. There you make a bad wish, Mrs. Bridgemore; she has proved the best feather in my wing; but call her down; go, daughter, call her down.

Luc. I'll send her to you; nothing shall prevail with me to speak to her, or look upon the odious creature any more. [Exit.

Mrs. Bridge. What is it you are always hinting at about this girl? She's the best feather in your~ wing Explain yourself.

Bridge. I cann't; you must excuse me; 'tis better. you should never know it.

Mrs. Bridge. Why, where's the fear; what can you have to dread from a destitute girl, without father, and without friends?

Bridge. But is she really without a father? Was I once well assured of that—But hush my daughter's here-Well, where's Miss Aubrey ?

Enter LUCINDA, followed by a Maid Servant.

Luc. The bird is flown.

Bridge. Hey-day, gone off!

Mrs. Bridge. That's flut conviction.

Bridge. What have you there: A letter?

Luc. She found it on her table.

Bridge. Read it, Lucy.

Luc. I beg to be excused, sir; I don't choose to touch her nasty scrawl.

Bridge. Well then, let's see; I'll read it myself. [Reads.] Sir, Since neither Lord Abberville's testimony, nor my solemn protestations can prevail

with you to believe me innocent, I prevent Miss • Bridgemore's threatened dismission, by withdrawing myself for ever from your family.-How the world will receive a destitute defenceless orphan, I am now to prove I enter on my trial without any armour but my innocence; `which, though insufficient to secure to me the continuance of your confidence, will, by the favour of Providence, serve, I hope, to sup. " port me under the loss of it.

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So, she's elop'd.----

AUGUSTA AUBREY.'

Mrs. Bridge. Ay, this is lucky; there's an end of her this makes it her own act and deed;-give me ́the letter.—Go, you need not wait.

Maid. Madam !

Luc. Don't you hear? Leave the room.

[To the maid.

Maid. Pray, don't be angry; I beg to speak a word

to you.

Luc. Go, go;-another time;-I'm busy.

Maid. I've done a wicked thing; and if I don't discharge my heart, 'twill break, it is so full.

Mrs. Bridge. What have you done? Speak out. Maid. Why, I have been the means of ruining an innocent person; for such Miss Aubrey is.

Bridge. How so? Go on.

Maid. 'Twas I that brought Lord Abberville last night into her chamber, unknown to her: I thought it was a little frolic to surprise her; but when I heard her scream, I was alarmed, and ran and listened at the door.

Luc. Well, and what then?

Maid. Why, then I heard her chide him, and desire him to be gone ;-yes, and but just before you came up stairs, I heard the poor young lady reproach him bitterly for his baseness in making love to her, when he was engaged to you, madam:—indeed she is as innocent as the babe unborn.

Luc. Go your way for a simpleton, and say no more about the matter.

Maid. To be sure I was a simpleton to do as I did; but I should never survive it, if any mischief was to follow.

Bridge. What's to be done now?

[Exit.

Mrs. Bridge. What's to be done? why let her take her course; guilty or not, what matters it, if every man who offers for your daughter, is to turn aside and follow after her?

Luc. True, where's the woman who can pardon that? indeed had she been really criminal, I could have endured her better; for then I had had one qualifi cation which she had wanted;- -now she piques me every way.

Enter a Servant.

Serv. Lord Abberville, madam, desires to be ad'mitted to say a word to you.

Luc. Who Lord Abberville?

Mrs. Bridge. Oh, by all means admit, him.-Now, Lucy, shew yourself a woman of spirit: receive him; meet his insulting visit with becoming contempt.

Come, Mr. Bridgemore, let us leave them to them[Exeunt Mr. and Mrs. Bridge.

.selves.

Luc. Ahem! now, pride support mel

Enter Lord ABBERVILLE.

Lord Abb. Miss Bridgemore, your most obedient; —I come, madam, on a penitential errand, to apologize to you and Miss Aubrey for the ridiculous situation in which I was surprised last night.

Luc. Cool, easy villain !

[Aside.

Lord Abb. I dare say you laughed most heartily after I was gone.

Luc. Most incontinently-incomparable assurance ! [Aside.

Lord Abb. Well, I forgive you; 'twas ridiculous enough; a foolish frolick, but absolutely harmless, be assured; I'm glad to find you no longer serious about is.- -But where's Miss Aubrey, pray? Luc. You'll find her probably at you own door;— she's gone from hence.

Enter a Servant.

Serv. Mr. Tyrrel, madam.

Luc. Shew him in, pray.-My lord, you've no objection.

Lord Abb. None in life; I know him intimately; but, if you please, i'll take my leave; you may have business.. -Curse on it, he is the lady's lover.

[Aside,

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