Sir WILLIAM.

Being left by him, I fay, to the care of a mercenary wretch, whofe only aim was to fecure her fortune to himself, he was fent to France, under pretence of education; and there every art was tried to fix her for life in a convent, contrary to her inclinations. Of this I was informed, upon my arrival at Paris; and, as I had been once her father's friend, I did all in my power to fruftrate her guardian's bafe intentions. I had even meditated to rescue her from his authority, when your fon ftept in with more pleasing violence, gave her liberty, and you a daughter.

CROAKER.

But I intend to have a daughter of my own chufing, Sir. A young lady, Sir, whofe fortune, by my intereft with those who have intereft, will be double what my fon has a right to expect. Do you know Mr. Lofty, Sir.

Sir WILLIAM.

Yes, Sir; and know that you are deceived in him. But ftep this way, and I'll convince you.

[Croaker and Sir William Jeem to confer.

Enter HONEYWOOD.

HONEYWOOD.

Obftinate man, ftill to perfift in his outrage! infalted by him, defpifed by all, I now begin to grow contemptible, even to myself. How have I funk by

too great an affiduity to please! How have I overtaxed all my abilities, left the approbation of a fingle fool fhould escape me! But all is now over; I have furvived my reputation, my fortune, my friendfhips, and nothing remains henceforward for me but folitude and repentance.

Mifs RICHLAND:

Is it true, Mr. Honeywood, that you are fetting off, without taking leave of your friends? The report is, that you are quitting England. Can it be?

HONEYWOOD.

Yes, madam; and though I am fo unhappy as to have fallen under your displeasure, yet, thank Heaven, I leave you to happiness; to one who loves you, and deferves your love; to one who has power to procure you affluence, and generofity to improve your enjoyment of it.

Mifs RICHLAND.

And are you fure, Sir, that the gentleman you mean is what you describe him?

HONEYWOOD.

I have the best affurances of it, his ferving me. He does indeed deferve the highest happiness, and that is in your power to confer. As for me, weak and wavering as I have been, obliged by all, and incapable of ferving any, what happiness can I find but in folitude? What hope but in being forgotten?

Mifs RICHLAND.

A thousand! to live among friends that esteem you, whofe happiness it will be to be permitted to oblige you.

HONEYWOOD.

Infericrity

No, madam, my refolution is fixed. among strangers is easy; but among those that once were equals, infupportable. Nay, to fhew you how far my refolution can go, I can now fpeak with calmness of my former follies, my vanity, my diffipation, my weakness. I will even confefs, that, among the number of my other prefumptions, I had the infolence to think of loving you. Yes, madam, while I was pleading the paffion of another, my heart was tortur'd with its own. But it is over, is was unworthy our friendfhip, and let it be forgotten.

Mifs RICHLAND.

You amaze me!

HONEYWOOD.

But you'll forgive it, I know you will; fince the confeffion fhould not have come from me even now, but to convince you of the fincerity of my intention of-never mentioning it more. [Going.

Mifs RICHLAND.

Stay, Sir, one moment-Ha! he here

Enter LOFTY.
LOFTY.

Is the coast clear? None but friends, I have followed you here with a trifling piece of intelligence: but it goes no farther, things are not yet ripe for a difcovery. I have fpirits working at a certain board; your affair at the treafury will be done in less thana thousand years., ' Mum!

Mifs RICHLAND.

Sooner, Sir, I fhould hope.

LOFTY.

Why, yes, I believe it may, if it falls into proper hands, that know where to push and where to parry; that know how the land lies-eh, Honeywood.

Mifs RICHLAND.

It has fallen into yours.

LOFTY.

Well, to keep you no longer in fufpenfe, your thing is done. It is done, I fay-that's all. I have just had affurances from Lord Neverout, that the claim has been examined, and found admiffible. Quietus is the word, madam.

HONEYWOOD.

But how his lordship has been at Newmarket these ten days

LOFTY.

Indeed! Then Sir Gilbert Goofe muft have been moft damnably mistaken. I had it of him.

Mifs RICHLAND.

He! why Sir Gilbert and his family have been in the country this month.

LOFTY.

This month! it muft certainly be fo-Sir Gilbert's letter did come to me from Newmarket, fo that he must have met his lordship there; and fo it came about. I have his letter about me; I'll read it to you. (Taking out a large bundle.) That's from Paoli of Corfica, that from the marquis of Squilachi.-Have you a mind to fee a letter from count Poniatowski, now king of Poland-Honeft PonSearching.) O, Sir, what are you here too? I'll tell you what, honest friend, if you have not absolutely delivered my letter to Sir William Honeywood, you may return it. The thing will do without him.

Sir WILLIAM.

Sir, I have delivered it; and must inform you, it was received with the moft mortifying contempt. CROAKER.

Contempt! Mr. Lofty, what can that mean?

LOFTY.

Let him go on, let him go on, I say. You'll find it come to fomething prefently.

Sir WILLIAM.

Yes, Sir, I believe you'll be amazed, if, after waiting fome time in the anti-chamber, after being furveyed with infolent curiofity by the paffing fer

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