Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Never truft me, dear papa, but he's still the modeft man I first took him for, you'll be convinc'd of it as well as I.

HARDCASTLE.

By the hand of my body I believe his impudence is infectious! Didn't I fee him feize your hand? Didn't I see him hawl you about like a milk-maid? and now you talk of his refpect and his modefty, forfooth!

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

But if I fhortly convince you of his modefty, that he has only the faults that will pafs off with time, and the virtues that will improve with age, I hope you'll forgive him.

HARDCASTLE.

The girl would actually make one run mad! I tell you I'll not be convinced. I am convinced. He has scarce been three hours in the house, and He has already encroached on all my prerogatives. You may like his impudence, and call it modefty. But my fon-in-law, madam, muft have very different qualifications.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Sir, I afk but this night to convince you.

HARDCASTLE.

You fhall not have half the time, for I have

thoughts of turning him out this very hour.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Give me that hour then, and I hope to fatisfy you.

HARDCASTLE.

Well, an hour let it be then. But I'll have no trifling with your father. All fair and open, do you mind me.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

I hope, Sir, you have ever found that I confidered your commands as my pride; for your kindness is fuch, that my duty as yet has been inclination.

ACT THE

FOURT H.

Enter HASTINGS and Mifs NEVILLE,

HASTINGS.

YOU furprise me! Sir Charles Marlow expected

here this night? Where have you had your information?

Mifs NEVILLE.

You may depend upon it. I juft faw his letter to Mr. Hardcastle, in which he tells him he intends fetting out a few hours after his son.

HASTINGS.

Then, my Conftance, all must be compleated before he arrives. He knows me; and should he find me here, would difcover my name, and perhaps my defigns, to the reft of the family.

Mifs NEVILLE.

The jewels, I hope, are safe.

HASTINGS.

Yes, yes. I have fent them to Marlow, who keeps the keys of our baggage. In the mean time, I'll go to prepare matters for our elopement. I have had the 'fquire's promife of a fresh pair of horses;

and,

and, if I fhould not fee him again, will write him further directions.

Mifs NEVILLE.

[Exit.

Well! fuccefs attend you. In the mean time, I'll go amufe my aunt with the old pretence of a violent paffion for my cousin.

Enter MARLOW, followed by a fervant.

MARLOW.

[Exit.

I wonder what Haftings could mean by fending me fo valuable a thing as a cafket to keep for him, when he knows the only place I have is the feat of a poftcoach at an inn-door. Have you depofited the casket with the landlady, as I ordered you? Have you put it into her own hands?

SERVANT.

Yes, your honour.

MARLOW.

She said she'd keep it fafe, did fhe ?

SERVANT.

Yes, she said she'd keep it safe enough; she ask'd me how I came by it; and she said she had a great mind to make me give an account of myself.

MARLOW.

[Exit Servant.

Ha ha ha! They're fafe however. What an unaccountable fet of beings have we got amongst ! This little bar-maid though. runs in my head most ftrangely, and drives out the absurdities of all the

reft

reft of the family. She's mine, fhe must be mine,

or I'm greatly mistaken.

Enter HASTINGS.

HASTINGS.

Blefs me! I quite forgot to tell her that I intended to prepare at the bottom of the garden. Marlow here, and in fpirits too!

MARLOW.

Give me joy, George! Crown me, fhadow me with laurels! Well, George, after all, we modeft fellows don't want for fuccefs among the women. HASTINGS.

Some women you mean. But what fuccefs has your honour's modesty been crowned with now, that it grows fo infolent upon us ?

MARLOW.

Didn't you fee the tempting, brifk, lovely, little thing that runs about the houfe with a bunch of keys to its girdle?

Such fire, fuch mo

She's mine, you rogue you.

tion, fuch eyes, fuch lips--but, egad! fhe would

not let me kiss them though.

HASTINGS.

But are you fo fure, so very fure of her ?

MAR