Enter HASTINGS.

Hast. So, Sir, I find by my servant, that you have shewn my letter, and betray'd us. Was this well done, young gentleman.

Tony. Here's another. Ask Miss there who betray'd you. Ecod, it was her doing, not mine.

Enter MARLOW.

Mar. So I have been finely used here among you. Rendered contemptible, driven into ill-manners, de spised, insulted, laugh'd at.

Tony. Here's another. We shall have old Bedlam broke loose presently.

Miss Nev. And there, Sir, is the gentleman to whom we all owe every obligation.

Mar. What can I say to him, a mere booby, an idiot, whose ignorance and age are a protection.

Hast. A poor contemptible booby, that would but disgrace correction.

Miss Nev. Yet with cunning and malice enough to make himself merry with all our embarrassments. Hast. An insensible cub.

Mar. Replete with tricks and mischief.

Tony. Baw! damme, but I'll fight you both one after the other-with baskets.

Mar. As for him, he's below resentment. But your conduct, Mr. Hastings, requires an explanation. You knew of my mistakes, yet would not undeceive

me.

Hast. Tortured as I am with my own disappointments, is this a time for explanations? It is not friendly, Mr. Marlow.

Mar. But, Sir

Miss Nev. Mr. Marlow, we never kept on your mistake, till it was too late to undeceive you. Be pacified.

Enter Servant.

Your

Serv. My mistress desires you'll get ready immediately, Madam. The horses are putting to. hat and things are in the next room. We are to go thirty miles before morning.

[Exit servant. Miss Nev, Well, well; I'll come presently.

Mar. [To Hastings] Was it well done, Sir, to assist in rendering me ridiculous. To hang me out for the scorn of all my acquaintance. Depend upon it, Sir, I shall expect an explanation.

Hast. Was it well done, Sir, if you're upon that subject, to deliver what I entrusted to yourself to the care of another, Sir?

Miss Nev. Mr. Hastings. Mr. Marlow. Why will you increase my distress by this groundless dispute. I implore, I entreat you

Enter Servant.

Serv. Your cloak, Madam. My mistress is impatient.

Miss Nev. I come. Pray be pacified. If I leave you thus, I shall die with apprehension.

Enter Servant.

Serv. Your fan, muff, and gloves, Madam. The horses are waiting.

Miss Nev. O, Mr. Marlow! if you knew what a scene of constraint and ill-nature lies before me, I'm sure it would convert your resentment into pity.

Mar. I'm so distracted with a variety of passions, that I don't know what I do. Forgive me, Madam. George, forgive me. You know my hasty temper, and should not exasperate it.

Hast. The torture of my situation is my only excuse.

Miss Nev. Well, my dear Hastings, if you have that esteem for me that I think, that I am sure you have, your constancy for three years will but increase the happiness of our future connection. If—

Mrs Hard. [Within] Miss Neville. Constance, why Constance, I say.

Miss Nev. I'm coming. Well, constancy. Remember, constancy is the word.

[Exit. Hast. My heart, how can I support this? To be so near happiness, and such happiness!

Mar. [To Tony] You see now, young gentleman, the effects of your folly. What might be amusement to you, is here disappointment, and even distress.

Tony. [From a reverie] Ecod, I have hit it. Its here. Your hands. Yours and yours, my poor Sulky. My boots there, ho. Meet me two hours hence at the bottom of the garden; and if you don't find Tony Lumpkin a more good-natur'd fellow than you

thought for, I'll give you leave to take my best horse, and Bet Bouncer into the bargain. Come along. My boots, ho.

[Exeunt.

ACT V. SCENE I.

Continues. Enter HASTINGS and Servant.

Hastings.

You saw the old Lady and Miss Neville drive off,

you say.

Serv. Yes, your honour. They went off in a post coach, and the young 'Squire went on horseback. They're thirty miles off by this time.

Hast. Then all my hopes are over.

Serv. Yes, Sir. Old Sir Charles is arrived. He and the Old Gentleman of the house have been laughing at Mr. Marlow's mistake this half hour. They are coming this way.

Hast. Then I must not be seen. So now to my fruitless appointment at the bottom of the garden. This is about the time.

[Exit.

Enter Sir CHARLES MARLOW and HARDCASTLE.

Hard. Ha ha ha! The peremptory tone in which he sent forth his sublime commands.

Sir Char. And the reserve with which I suppose he treated all your advances.

Hard. And yet he might have seen something in me above a common inn-keeper, too.

Sir Char. Yes, Dick, but he mistook you for an uncommon innkeeper, ha! ha! ha!

Hard. Well, I'm in too good spirits to think of any thing but joy. Yes, my dear friend, this union of our families will make our personal friendships hereditary; and tho' my daughter's fortune is but small

Sir Char. Why, Dick, will you talk of fortune to me. My son is possessed of more than a competence already, and can want nothing but a good and virtuous girl to share his happiness and increase it. they like each other, as you say they do

If

Hard. If, man. I tell you they do like each other. My daughter as good as told me so.

Sir Char. But girls are apt to flatter themselves, you know.

Hard. I saw him grasp her hand in the warmest manner myself; and here he comes to put you out of your ifs, I warrant him.

Enter MARLOW.

Mar. I come, Sir, once more, to ask pardon for my strange conduct. I can scarce reflect on my insolence without confusion.

Hard. Tut, boy, a trifle. You take it too gravely. An hour or two's laughing with my daughter will set all to rights again-She'll never like you the worse for it.