from the beginning I fufpected it, but was afraid to return thanks; which, if undeferved, might feem reproaches.

LOFTY.

I proteft I do not understand all this, Mr. Honeywood. You treat me very cavalierly. I do affure you, Sir-Blood, Sir, can't a man be permitted to enjoy the luxury of his own feelings, without all this parade!

HONEYWOOD.

Nay, do not attempt to conceal an action that adds to your honour. Your looks, your air, your manner, all confefs it.

LOFTY.

Confefs it, Sir! Torture itself, Sir, fhall never bring me to confefs it. Mr. Honeywood, I have admitted you upon terms of friendship. Don't let us fall out; make me happy, and let this be buried in oblivion. You know I hate oftentation; you know I do. Come, come, Honeywood, you know I always loved to be a friend, and not a patron. I beg this may make no kind of distance between us. Come, come, you and I must be more familiar Indeed we muft.

HONEYWOOD.

Heavens! Can I ever repay fuch friendship? Is there any way! Thou beft of men, can I ever return the obligation?

LOFTY.

LOFTY.

A bagatelle, a mere bagatelle! But I fee your heart is labouring to be grateful.

You fhall be

grateful. It would be cruel to disappoint you.

HONEYWOOD.

How! teach me the manner.

Is there any way

?

LOFTY.

From this moment you're mine. Yes, my friend,

you fhall know it-I'm in love.

And to whom fhall I speak in your favour?

LOFTY.

To a lady with whom you have great intereft, I affure you: Mifs Richland.

HONEYWOOD.

Mifs Richland!

LOFTY.

Yes, Mifs Richland. She has ftruck the blow up

to the hilt in my bofom, by Jupiter.

Ho

HONEYWOOD.

Heavens! was ever any thing more unfortunate! It is too much to be endured.

LOFTY.

Unfortunate indeed! And yet I can endure it, till you have opened the affair to her for me. Between ourselves, I think the likes me. I'm not apt

to boat, but I think he does.

HONEYWOOD.

Indeed! But, do you know the perfon you ap

ply to ?

LOFTY.

Yes, I know you are her friend and mine: that's enough. To you, therefore, I commit the fuccefs of my paffion. I'll fay no more, let friendship do the reft. I have only to add, that if at any time my little intereft can be of fervice-but, hang it, I'll make no promifes-you know my interest is yours at any time. No apologies, my friend, I'll not be answered, it fhall be fo.

HONEYWOOD.

[Exit.

Open, generous, unfufpecting man! He little thinks that I love her too; and with such an ardent paffion!-But then it was ever but a vain and hopeless one; my torment, my perfecution; What shall I do! Love, friendship, an hopeless paffion, a deferving friend! Love, that has been my tormentor; a friend, that has, perhaps, diftreffed himself, to ferve me. It fhall be fo. Yes, I will difcard the fondling hope from my bofom, and exert all my influence

influence in his favour. And yet to fee her in the poffeffion of another!-Infupportable! But then to betray a generous, trufting friend! -Worse, worfe! Yes, I'm refolved. Let me but be the inftrument of their happiness, and then quit a country, where I must for ever despair of finding my

own.

[Exit.

Enter QLIVIA, and GARNET, who carries a Mil

liner's Box.

OLIVIA.

Dear me, I wish this journey were over. No news of Jarvis yet? I believe the old peevish creature delays purely to vex me.

GARNET.

Why, to be fure, madam, I did hear him fay, a little fnubbing, before marriage, would teach you to bear it the better afterwards.

OLIVIA.

To be gone a full hour, though he had only to get a bill changed in the city! How provoking!

GARNET.

I'll lay my life, Mr, Leontine, that had twice as much to do, is fetting off by this time from his inn ; and here you are left behind.

OLIVIA.

Well, let us be prepared for his coming, however. Are you fure you have omitted nothing, Garnet?

VOL. II.

G

GAR

GARNET.

Not a ftick, madam-all's here. Yet I wish you could take the white and filver to be married in. It's the worst luck in the world, in any thing but white. I knew one Bett Stubbs, of our town, that was married in red; and, as fure as eggs is eggs the bridegroom and she had a miff before morning. OLIVIA.

No matter. I'm all impatience till we are out of the house.

GARNET.

And what if I put

Bless me, madam, I had almost forgot the wedding-ring-The sweet little thing-I don't think it would go on my little finger. in a gentleman's night-cap, in madam? But here's Jarvis.

Enter JARVIS.

cafe of neceffity,

Aye, to Jericho; for we fhall have no going to Scotland this bout, I fancy.

OLIVIA.

How! what's the matter?

JARVIS.

Money, money, is the matter, madam. We have

got no money.

What the plague do you send me

of