lady, I would suffer martyrdom, rather than solemnize a marriage under such inauspicious influence. Col. M. Sir Anthony, you are not pressed to do it. Sir A. Bran. [Apart to the COLONEL.] Colonel, I am not a man of a sanguinary spirit, but if such a measure is deemed necessary-I am at your service, either a foot or on horseback-you understand me. Col. M. There is no occasion, I assure you, sir. Sir A. Bran. I am ready-that's all-my alacrity is pretty notorious on those occasions. Col. M. For my part, I approve of your punctilio entirely. Sir A. Bran. I am proud of your approbation; my lord, I hope I am honoured with yours, in giving up my pretensions to the fair lady, your daughter. Lord M. Sir, you have my free consent. Mrs. Knight. Then, Sir Anthony, I am sure you have too much generosity not to promote your nephew's happiness, if my lord is willing Lord M. I have no objection to Mr. Branville, madam, but Sir Anthony knows my inability to give my daughter a fortune equal to her rank Mrs. Knight. Oh, my lord, I am sure Sir Anthony is too noble to let the sordid consideration of money be a bar to the happiness of two faithful lovers— Sir A. Bran. On the contrary, madam, I am charmed that my nephew has such an opportunity of showing the generosity inherent in the family of the Branvilles, by contemning riches, in comparison of beauty. Col. M. Indeed, Sir Anthony, he deserves all your affection; for though I know he dotes on my sister, yet hearing that you addressed her, he resolved to give her up. Mrs. Knight. Generous young man! Sir A. Bran. Ah, ladies, see what delight the little sportive god takes in persecuting us true lovers!—My lord, if my nephew has your consent, I assure you, I will render him, in point of fortune, worthy of the lady of his heart. Lord M. Sir, after an instance of such generosity, your alliance must be doubly acceptable to me. Mrs. Knight. And now, Sir Anthony, I hope you will return to your lawful sovereign. Sir A. Bran. Arbitress of my fate, thus I reassume my happy bondage [He kneels, and takes MRS. KNIGHTLY's hand. Enter SIR HARRY and LADY FLUTTER. Sir H. Flut. What the deuce is all this? My uncle in heroics at my widow's feet! Every thing's topsyturvy, I think-My lord! Lady Medway! an explanation quickly, for heaven's sake! Miss Medway, gave us a hint of some strange things that were going forward here- -What are you all about? Lady Flut. Dear Mrs. Knightly, I absolutely die with curiosity! Sir H. Flut. My dear, that's a disease that will never kill you, for you have been wonderfully subject to it ever since you and I were acquainted. Lady Flut. Pr'ythee, Sir Harry, let your tongue keep pace with your wit, and then you will not talk so fast. -Tell me, do, Mrs. Knightly. Sir H. Flut. No, don't, Mrs. Knightly-My dear, you really put me in mind of the cat in the fable, who was metamorphosed into a fine lady; but upon the first temptation-slap-egad she was a cat again. Lady Flut. And you put me in mindLady M. Take care, my dear, take care. [Draws her aside. Lord M. Beware of a relapse, Lady Flutter; you are now happy if you are inclined to continue so. [Aside to her. Lady Flut. So, my lord! who has metamorphosed Lord M. Lady Medway. Mrs. Knight. My dear Lady Flutter, you shall know all at another opportunity. For the present, I am sure it will give you pleasure to wish the colonel and my sister joy on their happy union, to which my lord has consented. You are to congratulate Miss Medway, too, on her approaching nuptials with Mr. Branville Sir A. Bran. And you are to felicitate me, niece Flutter, on being permitted the transcendent happiness of once more basking in the sunshine of this lady's favour. Lord M. And you are all to congratulate me, upon a double occasion; first, on that of being perfectly blessed in domestic joys; and next, that of seeing me a thoroughly reformed man. [Exeunt omnes. END OF VOL. IV. C. WHITTINGHAM, Printer, Goswell Street, London. |
