conversation very much improved by your making a third in it.

Mrs. Knight. I don't know that—A tête-à-tête is to the full as often disagreeably interrupted, as improved, by another

person.

Col. M. That, madam, I am sure, can never happen, make the addition.

where you

Mrs. Knight. I should be sorry it were the case now, I own, colonel; for, to tell you the truth, I have vanity enough to be mortified at the thoughts of being considered as an intruder.

Col. M. Bless me, madam! I know of but one circumstance in the world, which could possibly place you in such a light.

Mrs. Knight. What is that, pray, sir?

Col. M. Where an inferior beauty was meditating a conquest, and you stept in to snatch it from her.

Mrs. Knight. An inferior beauty-I protest, colonel, I don't well understand that-There is an appearance of gallantry in the compliment, thing a little mystical in it too. at solving riddles?

and yet there is someClara, are you good

Miss Rich. No, indeed, sister; you know I have a very literal understanding; besides, I think what the colonel says requires no explanation.

Mrs. Knight. Then, my dear, I won't affront you by making any application.

Miss Rich. If you should, sister, I am very ready to acknowledge my part in it; but you should consider that, by the remainder, you would draw on yourself that imputation, which, but now, you wished to avoid.

Mrs. Knight. You see, colonel, the mysterious speech you have made has the fate of all oracles, to be interpreted different ways, and, perhaps, none of them right.Nay, I am inclined to think it bears a still nearer resemblance to them, and that you, like the

priests of old, delivered what you spiration of a god.

said without any in

Col. M. There, madam, your comparison fails, for I assure you, I am at this instant under the influence of a very powerful one.

Mrs. Knight. I vow I don't believe you; do you,

Clara?

Miss Rich. I never had any reason to doubt the colonel's veracity, sister.

Mrs. Knight. What, then, you think he is really in love?

Miss Rich. Don't you hear him acknowledge it?

Col. M. Nay, madam, if you won't take my word for it, I cannot see what reason you have to believe any one's else.

Mrs. Knight. Why, no, that's true- -But where a matter of faith doesn't concern one's self, infidelity, you know, can be of no great consequence one way or another.

Col. M. That's pretty home.

[Aside. Miss Rich. Very true, sister; but scepticism is a dangerous, as well as an uneasy state, in some cases.

Mrs. Knight. And a state of security, Miss Clara, the casuists in love, as well as religion, are agreed, is not always the safest. But I don't know how we fell upon this odd topic.

Miss Rich. Nor I, I am sure.

Col. M. I don't know how we came to talk of it; but I am convinced the man must be very insensible who could avoid thinking of it in, this company.

Mrs. Knight. Clara, you are a monopolist; but I will have my share in that compliment- -I don't know, colonel, though, what your mistress would say, if she were to hear you say so.

Miss Rich. She'd forgive him, I dare say.

Col. M. Come, come, ladies, I see by your pursuing this subject, that you have a design of getting my secret

out of me; and, as I am sure I could not withstand your united force, I think my safest way is to make my retreat before I betray myself. [Bows to both, and exit. Mrs. Knight. How long was the colonel here before I came in, Clara ?

Miss Rich. Not above a quarter of an hoursister, why do you ask?

-Pray,

Mrs. Knight. Because it is quite astonishing to me, how a man of his vivacity can be entertained by such a piece of still-life as you are.

Miss Rich. Why, sister, it is not an infallible maxim that we most admire those who are exactly of our own disposition. I, now, for example, who am naturally grave, do, notwithstanding, admire sprightliness in other people.

Mrs. Knight. Umph, so it seems

Miss Rich. And the colonel, though extremely lively himself, may, however, not disrelish the conversation of a serious woman.

Mrs. Knight. Indeed, Clara, you are a very conceited girl. I dare swear, if the colonel says fine things to you, you believe every word of them.

Miss Rich. Indeed, sister, I have as humble an opinion of myself as you, or any one else, can possibly have of me.

Mrs. Knight. I am very glad to hear it, child; for I own I think vanity would not be a very desirable companion in your situation.

Miss Rich. What have I done, sister, to deserve these severe taunts from you?

Mrs. Knight. Oh, Clara, if you accuse me of severity, I must tell you that you are an ungrateful girl, and I fancy we shall not continue much longer together.

Miss Rich. I see, sister, you are resolved to disapprove of every thing I say or do; my company is become irksome to you, and, for the present at least, I'll rid you of it. [Exit.

Mrs. Knight. I was very unlucky in ever taking her into my house; had it not been for that, I should never, perhaps, have seen the only man who probably could have given me a minute's uneasiness.—I am puzzled at his conduct and yet I suspect now more than ever that they love each other.- -If it be so, I shall know it too soon, for I am sure Lord Medway is thoroughly in my interests.- -Yet my suspense in insupWho's there?

portable

Enter a MAID.

-I desire you will give

Maid. Madam, your chair is ready. Mrs. Knight. Come hitherorders to the servants, that any letters directed to my sister should be brought to me-I suspect that girl has got into a silly intrigue.

Maid. I believe, madam, miss receives letters very often; but I shall take care, for the future, that you shall have them first.

Mrs. Knight, Be sure you do.

Scene II.-Changes to Lord Medway's.

[Exeunt.

LADY FLUTTER at her toilet.-Enter to her LADY

MEDWAY.

Lady Flut. Good morning to your ladyship.

[Looks coolly at her. Lady M. I was afraid you were not well, Lady Flutter, as you lay a-bed so long this morning.

Lady Flut. I rested ill last night, nothing more. Lady M. I hope I don't interrupt you, madam. Lady Flut. Not in the least; but I vow you are so ceremonious, Lady Medway, that you will not allow me to think myself at home.

Lady M. I should be sorry for that, madam; but you know there are times when one would not choose to be broke in upon by any one; yet, to show you how free

I make with you, I have brought my work with me, if you will let me pore a little at it.

Lady Flut. I wish she and her work were far enough. [Aside.]-Your ladyship is excessively obliging. You and Miss Medway are such housewives, you quite shame me. This is prodigiously pretty; who are these ruffles for?

Lady M. My lord, to be sure- Where is Sir Harry this morning? I have not seen him yet.

Lady Flut. Dear Lady Medway, don't ask me about him, for I know nothing of him.

Lady M. What! not of your husband, my dear?— Well, well, Lady Flutter, when your young necks are a little more inured to the marriage yoke, I hope it will sit easier on you both.- This work blinds me, I'll lay it by.

Lady Flut. Oh, impossible! he grows worse and worse every day. There never was such an incorrigible, ill-natured thing in the universe.

Lady M. Now, really, there I must differ from you; I never took Sir Harry to be ill-natured; hasty and petulant, I grant you, he is.

Lady Flut. Madam, I hope you will allow me to be the best judge.

Lady M. You have reason to be so, stander-by may form an opinion.

I own;

but a

Lady Flut. I don't know what your ladyship's opinion may be; but I am sure it is the opinion of others, and some that I could name of undoubted good judgment, that there never was, since the creation, a woman so unfortunate in a husband as I am.

Lady M. Oh, Lord Medway, what have you to answer for! [Aside.]—I must say, Lady Flutter, that if it even were so (which, heaven knows, is far from being the case), they are not your friends, no more than Sir Harry's, who would endeavour to persuade you to such a belief.