TONY.

Sure I know they're gone, and I'm to say so.
Mrs. HARDCASTLE.

My dearest Tony, but hear me. They're gone, I fay.

TONY.

By the laws, mamma, you make me for to laugh, ha ha! I know who took them, well enough, ha! ha ha!

Mrs. HARDCASTLE.

Was there ever fuch a blockhead, that can't tell the difference between jeft and earneft? I tell you I'm not in jeft, booby.

TONY.

That's right, that's right: you must be in a bitter paffion, and then nobody will fufpect either of I'll bear witness that they are gone.

us.

Mrs. HARDCASTLE.

Was there ever such a cross-grain'd brute, that won't hear me? Can you bear witnefs that you're no better than a fool? Was ever poor woman fo befet with fools on one hand, and thieves on the other.

TONY.

I can bear witnefs to that.

Mrs. HARDCASTLE.

Bear witness again, you blockhead you, and I'll turn you out of the room directly. My poor niece, what will become of her! Do you laugh, you unfeeling brute, as if you enjoyed my distress ?

TONY.

ΤΟΝΥ.

I can bear witness to that.

Mrs. HARDCASTLE.

infult me, monfter? I'll teach you to vex

your mother, I will.

TONY.

I can bear witness to that.

[He runs off, fhe follows him.

Enter Mifs HARDCASTLE and MAID.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

What an unaccountable creature is that brother of mine, to fend them to the house as an inn, ha! ha! I don't wonder at his impudence.

MAID.

But what is more, madam, the young gentleman, as you paffed by in your prefent drefs, afk'd me if you were the bar-maid? He miftook you for the bar-maid, madam.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Did he? Then as I live, I'm refolved to keep up the delufion. Tell me, Pimple, how do you like my prefent drefs. Don't you think I look fomething like Cherry in the Beaux Stratagem ?

MAID.

It's the drefs, madam, that every lady wears in the country, but when the vifits, or receives com

pany.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

And are you fure he does not remember my face or perfon ?

Certain of it.

MAID.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

I vow, I thought fo? for though we fpoke for fome time together, yet his fears were fuch, that he never once looked up during the interview. Indeed, if he had, my bonnet would have kept him from feeing me.

MAID.

But what do you hope from keeping him in his mistake.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

In the first place, I shall be seen, and that is no fmall advantage to a girl who brings her face to market. Then I fhall perhaps make an acquaintance, and that's no small victory gained over one who never addreffes any but the wildest of her sex. But my chief aim is to take my gentleman off his guard, and like an invifible champion of romance, examine the giant's force before I offer to combat.

MAID.

But are you fure you can act your part, and difguife your voice, fo that he may mistake that, as he has already mistaken your perfon?

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Never fear me. I think I have got the true barcant Did your honour call?- -Attend the Lion

there.

there. Pipes and tobacco for the Angel.-The Lamb has been outrageous this half hour.

MAID.

It will do, madam. But he's here. [Exit Maid..

Enter MARLOW.

MARLOW.

What a bawling in every part of the house! I have scarce a moment's repofe. If I go to the best room, there I find my hoft and his ftory. If I fly to the gallery, there we have my hoftefs with her courtesy down to the ground. I have at last got a moment to myself, and now for recollection. [Walks and mufes.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Did you call, Sir? Did your honour call?

MARLOW.

(Mufing.) As for Mifs Hardcaftle, she's too grave and fentimental for me.

[She ftill places herself before him, he turning away.

MARLOW.

No, child, (mufing.) Befides, from the glimpfe I had of her, I think the fquints

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

I'm fure, Sir, I heard the bell ring.

MAR

MARLOW.

No, no. (mufing) I have pleafed my father, however, by coming down, and I'll to-morrow please myfelf by returning.

(Taking out his tablets, and perufing. Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Perhaps the other gentleman called, Sir?

No, no, I tell you. (Looks full in her face) Yes, child, I think I did call. I wanted-I wanted--[ vow, child, you are vally handsome.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Ola, Sir, you'll make one asham'd.

MARLOW.

Never faw a more fprightly malicious eye. Yes, yes, my dear, I did call. Have you got any of your -a-what d'ye call it, in the houfe?

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

- No, Sir, we have been out of that these ten days. MARLOW.

One may call in this house, I find, to very little purpose. Suppose I should call for a tafte, juft by way of trial, of the nectar of your lips; perhaps I might be disappointed in that too.

VOL II,

P

Mifs