young lady of the name of Aubrey come within your knowledge ? Colin. Ay, ay, poor lassie, she once liv'd with Bradgemore; the worse luck her's, but that is over, she has got her liberty; she's now releas'd. Aub. I understand you she is dead. Colin. Dead! Heaven forefend! An you would give me time, I wou'd ha' told you she's released from yon fat fellow's tyranny; na more: out on him, filthy porpoise, aw the bowels in his belly, tho' he has got gude store, danna contain one grain of pity: troth, with his gude will she might ha' starv'd and perish'd in the streets. Aub. What is't you tell me? In the same breath you bring my hopes to life and murder them againStarv'd in the streets? I thought she had an affluent fortune. Colin. In virtue, sir, nought else, and that will not pass current for a dinner. Zooks, and I mysall, by Heaven's gude providence, had na' stapt in upon the very nick of time, my lite upon't she had been lost. Hub. Come to my arms then, whosoe'er thou art, and wonder not, for thou hast sav'd my daughter. Colin Daughter! Gadzooks, you make my heart jump to my laps for joy. Are you Miss Aubrey's father? Aub. I am her father. Colin. An if I'd found mine awn I cou'd na' been more happy. Wall, wall, I hope you'll merit your gude fortune; by my soul you've got an angel of a child-but where have you been buried all the while? for we believ'd you dead. Aub. You shall hear all my story, but this is no fit place to tell it in: satisfy me first if my poor child is safe. Colin. Fear nought, she's safe with Maister Mortimer; I laft her but this moment. dub. Who is Mr. Mortimer ? Colin. Why, Maister Mortimer is one who does a thousand noble acts without the credit of one; his tongue wounds and his heart makes whole; he must be known and not describ'd: an' you will bait awhile in yonder tavera till I come from Bradgemore's, I'll accompany you to where your daughter is. Aub. Agreed! I fear I've been mistaken in this Bridgemore; three years ago I consign'd to him a cargo of great value from Scanderoon; if he has robbed me but till I've seen my daughter, I'll suspend my enquiry. Step with me into yonder tavern, there we'll concert the means of bringing Bridgemore to an interview at Mr. Mortimer's.— Come, my good benefactor, how fortunate was this meeting! I long to know to whom I owe this happiness. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Compting-House belonging to BRIDGEMORE. Enter BRIDGEMORE and NAPTHALI. Bridge. And so, friend Napthali, Lord Abberville has had another tumble. Napth. A damn one. Bridge. I'm glad on't; this will wring his fine high pamper'd carcase to the quick. Napth. I'fait, he flings and winces so, I tremble to come near; he look as dark as India stock upon a settling day. Bridge. Ay, ay, the dice are little weapons, but they make deep wounds: what between those that win and us that lend, he bleeds at both arms. These are the bonds. Napth. Take 'em: this is a memorandum of the premium on five thousand, and this the private contract for extraordinary interest. [Gives several papers. Bridge. Good, good, friend Napthali! The bonds give legal interest, and this doubles it. There, there, 'lie by and breed. [Puts them by.] But hark'e-me! Hast brought the abstract of the sale of the Neptune's cargo ? Napth. Aubrey's consignment you mean. Bridge. The same; but mum! That's between you and me close, close, my little Napthali. Napth. A broker and betray his principal! That's not my vay; there is no senses in that. Here I have make out your account; 'tis var coot bargain I have make, considering diamond is a drug. Bridge. Why this tells well; it mounts; the raw silk was old gold; the carpetting and cottons not amiss; and whuh! the rhubarb ! Napth. Ah, sir, but vat is that? Look at the coffee! Bridge. Politics account for that; while news-papers bear price, coffee will hold its own. This rup ture with the Russians was in our favour here. Napth. Ay, ay, a charming stroke: war is a var coot thing; and then the plague; a blessed circumstance, tank Heaven; a blessed circumstance, coot 7 per cent. Bridge. Let me see; altogether 'tis a thumping sum: it netted forty thousand: where's the conscience, Napthali, that wouldn't strain a point for forty thousand pounds? Napth. Oh, 'tis all fair in the vay of trade; you cou'd not strike a jury out of Jonathan's that wouldn't acquit you. Well, Mr. Bridgemore, any thing more in my vay? Bridge. Nothing at present. Did you call at Lloyd's? Napth. Odso! well recollected! The Sea-horse is arrived from Scanderoon, she that had such high insurances upon her. Bridge. What d'ye hear? What passengers come in her? Is she at Stangate-Creek? Napth. No, in the pool; she brought clean bills of health from Leghorn. 71. Bridge. Go, go; you have given me an ague-fit ; the name of Scanderoon sets all my teeth a chattering. [Exit Napth.]-Well, would it had been possible to have kept my secret from that fellow.. 3: horse come at last!-Why, be it so. й -The Sea -What ails me? what possesses me ?-If she brings news of Aubrey's death, I'm a whole man; ay, and a warm one How now ;-who's there? too. Enter COLIN. Colin. Cawdie Macleod, a ragged Highlander, so please you, a wratched gaelly under favour of your raverence, na better. Bridge. I recollect you now for one of my Lord Abberville's retinue, -Well, you have some enquiries to make about Miss Aubrey. Colin. Ecod, you are close upon the mark. Bridge. I guest as much; but she's gone from hence, and you may follow. Colin. Out on thee, ragamuffin; an I were not bound to secrecy, I'd gee thee sic a pill shou'd lead that weam of thine the de'il a dance. [Aside. Bridge. No, Master Colin, your Scotch policy will stand you in no stead this turn. Colin Then I'll forswear my country.-Well, you wull na' have my message then, I mun gang bock to Maister Mortimer, and tell the Turkish trader you'il na' see him. Bridge. Hold, hold,-what trader do you speak of? |