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fent to him this inftant, in his prefent doleful fituation? My life for it, that works her cure. tress is a perfect antidote to love. Suppofe we join her in the next room? Mifs Richland is a fine girl, has a fine fortune, and must not be thrown away, Upon my honour, madam, I have a regard for Mifs Richland; and rather than fhe fhould be thrown away, I fhould think it no indignity to marry her myself. [Exeunt.

Enter OLIVIA and LEONTINE.

LEONTINE.

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And yet, truft me Olivia, I had every reafon to expect Mifs Richland's refufal, as I did every thing in my power to deferve it. Her indelicacy furprises

me!

OLIVIA.

Sure, Leontine, there's nothing fo indelicate in being fenfible of your merit. If fo, I fear, I fhall be the most guilty thing alive.

LEONTINE.

But you mistake, my dear. The fame attention I used to advance my merit with you, I practifed to leffen it with her. What more could I do?

OLIVIA.

Let us now rather confider what is to be done. We have both diffembled too long--I have always been afhamed-I am now quite weary of it. Sure

I could

I could never have undergone fo much for any other but you.

LEONTINE.

And you shall find my gratitude equal to your kindeft compliance. Though our friends fhould totally forfake us, Olivia, we can draw upon content for the deficiencies of fortune.

OLIVIA.

Then why should we defer our scheme of humble happiness, when it is now in our power? I may be the favourite of your father, it is true; but can it ever be thought, that his prefent kindness to a fuppofed child, will continue to a known deceiver?

LEONTINE.

As his

His own

I have many reafons to believe it will. attachments are but few, they are lafting. marriage was a private one, as ours may be. Befides, I have founded him already at a distance, and find all his answers exactly to our wish. Nay, by an expreffion or two that dropped from him, I am induced to think he knows of this affair.

OLIVIA.

Indeed! But that would be an happiness too great to be expected.

LEONTINE.

However it be, I'm certain you have power over him; and am perfuaded, if you informed him of our fituation, that he would be difpofed to pardon it.

OLIVIA.

OLIVIA.

You had equal expectations, Leontine, from your laft fcheme with Mifs Richland, which you find has fucceeded moft wretchedly.

LEONTINE.

And that's the best reafon for trying another.

OLIVIA.

If it must be fo, I fubmit.

LEONTINE.

As we could wifh, he comes this way. Now, my dearest Olivia, be refolute. I'll just retire withia hearing, to come in at a proper time, either to share your danger, or confirm your victory.

Enter CROAKER.

CROAKER.

[Exit,

Yes, I must forgive her; and yet not too eafily, neither. It will be proper to keep up the decorums of refentment a little, if it be only to imprefs her with an idea of my authority.

OLÍVIA.

How I tremble to approach him!-Might I prefume, Sir-If I interrupt you

CROAKER.

No, child, where I have an affection, it is not a

little thing that can interrupt me.

over little things.

Affection gets

OLIVIA.

Sir, you're too kind. I'm fenfible how ill I deferve this partiality. Yet, heaven knows, there is nothing I would not do to gain it.

CROAKER.

And you have but too well fucceeded, you little huffey, you. With thofe endearing ways of yours, on my confcience, I could be brought to forgive any thing, unless it were a very great offence in

deed.

OLIVIA.

But mine is fuch an offence-When you know my guilt-Yes, you fhall know it, though I feel the greatest pain in the confeffion.

CROAKER.

Why then, if it be fo very great a pain, you may fpare yourself the trouble; for I know every fylla ble of the matter before you begin.

OLIVIA.

Indeed! Then I'm undone.

CROAKER.

Ay, mifs, you wanted to fteal a match, without letting me know it, did you? But I'm not worth being confulted, I fuppofe, marriage in my own family.

when there's to be a No, I'm to have no

hand in the difpofal of my own children. No, I'm nobody. I'm to be a mere article of family lumber; a piece of crack'd china to be ftuck up in a

corner.

OLIVIA.

OLIVIA.

Dear Sir, nothing but the dread of your authority could induce us to conceal it from you.

CROAKER

No, no, my confequence is no more; I'm as little minded as a dead Ruffian in winter, juft ftuck up with a pipe in his mouth till there comes a thawIt goes to my heart to vex her.

OLIVIA.

(Afide.)

I was prepar'd, Sir, for your anger, and despair'd of pardon, even while I prefum'd to afk it. But your severity shall never abate my affection, as my punishment is but juftice.

CROAKER.

And yet you should not defpair neither, Livy. We ought to hope all for the best.

OLIVIA.

And do you permit me to hope, Sir? Can I ever expect to be forgiven? But hope has too long

deceived me.

CROAKER.

Why then, child, it fhan't deceive you now, for I forgive you this very moment. I forgive you all; and now you are indeed my daughter.

OLIVIA.

O tranfport! this kindness overpowers me.
CROAKER,

I was always against feverity to our children. We have been young and giddy ourfelves, and we can't expect boys and girls to be old before their time.

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