plication to you! consider that this day must de- Fan. Hear me, sir; hear my final determinatermine my fate; and these are, perhaps, the on- tion. Were my father and sister as insensible as ly moments left me to incline you to warrant my you are pleased to represent them; were my passion, and to entreat you not to oppose the pro-heart for ever to remain disengaged to any other, posals I mean to open to your father.

I could not listen to your proposals. What! You, on the very eve of a marriage with my sister; I living under the same roof with her, bound, not only by the laws of friendship and hospitality, but even the ties of blood, to contribute to her happiness, and not to conspire against her peace, the peace of a whole family, and that

Fan. For shame, for shame, sir John! Think of your previous engagements! Think of your own situation, and think of mine! What have you discovered in my conduct, that might encourage you to so bold a declaration? I am shocked that you should venture to say so much, and blush that I should even dare to give it a hear-of my own too!--Away, away, sir John!--At ing.- -Let me be gone!

Sir John. Nay; stay, madam, but one moment- -Your sensibility is too great.--Engagements! what engagements have been pretended on either side more than those of family convenience? I went on in the trammels of matrimonial negociation with a blind submission to your father and lord Ogleby; but my heart soon claimed a right to be consulted. It has devoted itself to you, and obliges me to plead earnestly for the same tender interest in yours.

Fan. Have a care, sir John ! do not mistake a depraved will for a virtuous inclination. By these common pretences of the heart, half our sex are made fools, and a greater part of yours despise them for it.

Sir John. Affection, you will allow, is involuntary. We cannot always direct it to the object on which it should fix-But when it is once inviolably attached-inviolably as mine is to you, it often creates reciprocal affection.- -When I last urged you on this subject, you heard me with more temper, and, I hoped, with some compas

sion.

such a time, and in such circumstances, your addresses only inspire me with horror. Nay, you must detain me no longer-I will go.

Sir John. Do not leave me in absolute despair! Give me a glimpse of hope!

[Falling on his knees.

Fan. I cannot. Pray, sir John!

[Struggling to go.

Sir John. Shall this hand be given to another? [Kissing her hand.]--No; I cannot endure it. My whole soul is yours, and the whole happiness of my life is in your power.

Miss Ster. I beg pardon, sir; you'll excuse me, madam! I have broke in upon you a little unopportunely, I believe-but I did not mean to interrupt you--I only came, sir, to let you know that breakfast waits, if you have finished your morning's devotions.

Sir John. I am very sensible, Miss Sterling, that this may appear particular, but

Miss Ster. O dear, sir John, don't put yourself to the trouble of an apology-the thing explains itself.

[Exit SIR JOHN in confusion. Miss Ster. Respect! Insolence! Esteem! Very fine, truly!---And you, madam! my sweet, delicate, innocent, sentimental sister! Will you convince my papa, too, of the integrity of your intentions?

Fan. You deceived yourself. If I forbore to exert a proper spirit; nay, if I did not even express the quickest resentment of your behaviour, it was only in consideration of that respect I wish to pay you, in honour to my sister: and, be as- Sir John. It will soon, madam. In the mean sured, sir, woman as I am, that my vanity could time, I can only assure you of my profound rereap no pleasure from a triumph, that must result spect and esteem for you, and make no doubt of from the blackest treachery to her. [Going. convincing Mr Sterling of the honour and inte Sir John. One word, and I have done. [Stop-grity of my intentions. And---and--your humping her.] Your impatience and anxiety, and the ble servant, madam! urgency of the occasion, oblige me to be brief and explicit with you. I appeal, therefore, from your delicacy to your justice.Your sister, I verily believe, neither entertains any real affection for me, or tenderness for you. Your father, I am inclined to think, is not much concerned by means of which of his daughters the families are united. Now, as they cannot, shall not, be connected, otherwise than by my union with you, why will you, from a false delicacy, oppose a measure so conducive to my happiness, and, I hope, your own? I love you, most passionately and sincerely love you-and hope to propose terms agreeable to Mr Sterling :- If, then, you don't absolutely loath, abhor, and scorn me -if there is no other happier man

Fan. Do not upbraid me, my dear sister! Indeed, I don't deserve it. Believe me, you cannot be more offended at his behaviour than I am, and I am sure it cannot make you half so miser able.

Miss Ster. Make me miserable! You are mightily deceived, madam; it gives me no sort of uneasiness, I assure you. A base fellow! As for you, miss! the pretended softness of your disposition, your artful good-nature, never in

posed upon me. I always knew you to be sly, my papa and my aunt, for they shall both know and envious, and deceitful.

Fan. Indeed, you wrong me. Miss Ster. Óh, you are all goodness, to be sure! Did not I find him on his knees before you? Did not I see him kiss your sweet hand? Did not I hear his protestations? Was not I a witness of your dissembled modesty? No, no, my dear! don't imagine that you can make a fool of your elder sister so easily.

Fan. Sir John, I own, is to blame; but I am above the thoughts of doing you the least injury. Miss Ster. We shall try that, madam. I hope, miss, you'll be able to give a better account to

SCENE I-A hall.

of this matter, I promise you. [Exit MISS STER.

Fan. How unhappy I am! My distresses multiply upon me. Mr Lovewell must now become acquainted with sir John's behaviour to me, and in a manner that may add to his uneasiness. My father, instead of being disposed, by fortunate circumstances, to forgive any transgression, will be previously incensed against me. My sister and my aunt will become irreconcileably my enemies, and rejoice in my disgrace. Yet, in all events, I am determined on a discovery. I dread it, and am resolved to hasten it. It is surrounded with more horrors every instant, as it appears every instant more necessary. [Exit.

АСТ III.

Enter a Sercant, leading in SERJEANT FLOWER, and COUNSELLORS TRAVERSE and TRUEMAN, all booted.

Ser. THIS way, if you please, gentlemen; my master is at breakfast with the family at present, but I'll let him know, and he will wait on you immediately.

Flow. Mighty well, young man: mighty well. Ser. Please to favour me with your names, gentlemen.

Flow. Let Mr Sterling know, that Mr Serjeant Flower, and two other gentlemen of the bar, are come to wait on him, according to his appointment.

an estate to A, and his heirs for ever, they'll make a query whether he takes in fee or in tail! Flow. Do you expect to have much to do on the Home Circuit these assizes?

Tra. Not much nisi prius business, but a good deal on the crown side, I believe. The gaols are brim-full, and some of the felons in good circumstances, and likely to be tolerable clients. Let me see! I am engaged for three highway robberies, two murders, one forgery, and half a dozen larcenies, at Kingston.

Flow. A pretty decent gaol-delivery!-Do you expect to bring off Darkin, for the robbery on Putney-Common? Can you make out your alibi?

Tra. Oh! no! the crown-witnesses are sure to prove our identity. We shall certainly be Ser. I will, sir. [Going. hanged: but that don't signify. But, Mr SerFlow. And hark'e, young man-[Servant re-jeant, have you much to do? Any remarkable turns.]-desire, my servant-Mr Serjeant Flower's servant, to bring in my green and gold saddlecloth and pistols, and lay them down here in the hall with my portinanteau.

Ser. I will, sir.

[Exit Ser. Flow. Well, gentlemen! the settling these marriage articles falls conveniently enough, almost just on the eve of the circuits. Let me see -the Home, the Midland, and Western; ay, we can all cross the country well enough to our several destinations. Traverse, when do you begin at Hertford?

Tra. The day after to-morrow.

Flow. That is commission-day with us at Warwick, too. But my clerk has retainers for every cause in the paper, so it will be time enough if I am there the next morning. Besides, I have about half a dozen cases that have lain by me ever since the spring assizes, and I must tack opinions to them before I see my country clients again; so I will take the evening before me, and then currente calamo, as I say-eh, Traverse?

Tra. True, Mr Serjeant; and the easiest thing in the world, too; for those country attornies are such ignorant dogs, that in case of the devise of

cause on the midland this circuit?

Flow. Nothing very remarkable—except two rapes, and Rider and Western at Nottingham, for crim. con.but, on the whole, I believe a good deal of business. Our associate tells me, there are above thirty venires for Warwick.

Tra. Pray, Mr Serjeant, are you concerned in
Jones and Thomas at Lincoln ?

Flow. I am for the plaintiff.
Tra. And what do you think on't?
Flow. A nonsuit.

Tra. I thought so.

Flow. Oh, no manner of doubt on't-----luce clarius---we have no right in us---we have but one chance.

Tra. What's that?

Flow. Why, my Lord Chief does not go the circuit this time, and my brother Puzzle being in the commission, the cause will come on before him.

True. Ay, that may do indeed, if you can but, throw dust in the eyes of the defendant's counsel, Flow. True. Mr Trueman, I think you are concerned for Lord Ogleby in this affair?

[To TRUE

True. I am, sir---I have the honour to be rela- | death of Mr Sterling, a further sum of seventy ted to his lordship, and hold some courts for him thousandin Somersetshire-go the Western circuit-and attend the sessions at Exeter, merely because his lordship's interests and property lie in that part of the kingdom.

Flow. Ha!---and pray, Mr Trueman, how long have you been called to the bar?

True. About nine years and three quarters. Flow. Ha!---I don't know that I ever had the pleasure of seeing you before. I wish you success, young gentleman!

Flow. Sir John having last term, according to agreement, levied a fine, and suffered a recovery, has hitherto cut off the entail of the Ogleby Ster. Uneasiness! what uneasiness? Where estate, for the better effecting the purposes of the business is transacted as it ought to be, and the present intended marriage; on which above-men-parties understand one another, there can be no tioned Ogleby estate, a jointure of 2000l. per annum is secured to your eldest daughter, now Elizabeth Sterling, spinster; and the whole estate, after the death of the aforesaid earl, descends to the heirs-male of sir John Melvil, on the body of the aforesaid Elizabeth Sterling, lawfully to be begotten.

the speedy progress of discontent and animosity | agree to pay down the gross sum of eighty thouthrough the whole family. sand pounds. Ster. Well!

Ster. What the deuce is all this? I don't understand a single syllable.

Sir John. In one word then—it will be absolutely impossible for me to fulfil my engagements in regard to Miss Sterling.

Ster. How, sir John! Do you mean to put an affront upon my family? What? refuse to

Sir John. Be assured, sir, that I neither mean to affront, nor forsake your family. My only fear is, that you should desert me; for the whole happiness of my life depends on my being connected with your family, by the nearest and tenderest ties in the world.

Ster. Why, did not you tell me, but a moment ago, that it was absolutely impossible for you to marry my daughter?

Sir John. True. But you have another daughter, sir

Ster. Well!

Sir John. Who has obtained the most absolute dominion over my heart. I have already declared my passion to her; nay, Miss Sterling herself is also apprised of it; and if you will but give a sanction to my present addresses, the uncommon merit of Miss Sterling will, no doubt, recommend her to a person of equal, if not superior, rank to myself, and our families may still be allied by my union with Miss Fanny.

Sir John. Now if you will but consent to my waving that marriage

Ster. I agree to your waving that marriage! Impossible, sir John!

Sir John. I hope not, sir; as, on my part, I will agree to wave my right to thirty thousand pounds of the fortune I was to receive with her. Ster. Thirty thousand, d'ye say?

Sir John. Yes, sir; and accept of Miss Fanny with fifty thousand, instead of fourscore. Ster. Fifty thousand

[Pausing.

Sir John. Instead of fourscore. Ster. Why-why---there may be something in that.--Let me see--Fanny with fifty thousand, instead of Betsy with fourscore.--But how can this be, sir John? For you know I am to pay this money into the hands of my lord Ogleby, who, I believe, between you and me, sir John, is not overstocked with ready money at present; and threescore thousand of it, you know, is to go to pay off the present incumbrances on the estate, sir John.

Sir John. That objection is easily obviated.--Ten of the twenty thousand, which would remain as a surplus of the fourscore, after paying off the mortgage, was intended by his lordship for my use, that we might set off with some little eclat Ster. Mighty fine, truly! Why, what the plague on our marriage, and the other ten for his own. do you make of us, sir John? Do you come to --Ten thousand pounds, therefore, I shall be market for my daughters, like servants at a sta- able to pay you immediately; and for the retute-fair? Do you think that I will suffer you, or maining twenty thousand, you shall have a mortany man in the world, to come into my house, gage on that part of the estate which is to be like the grand signior, and throw the handker-made over to me, with whatever security you chief first to one, and then to t'other, just as he pleases? Do you think I drive a kind of African slave-trade with them? and

Sir John. A moment's patience, sir! Nothing but the excess of my passion for Miss Fanny should have induced me to take any step that had the least appearance of disrespect to any part of your family; and, even now, I am desirous to atone for my transgression, by making the most adequate compensation that lies in my power.

Ster. Compensation! what compensation can you possibly make in such a case as this, sir John?

Sir John. Come, come, Mr Sterling; I know you to be a man of sense, a man of business, a man of the world. I'll deal frankly with you; and you shall see, that I don't desire a change of measures for my own gratification, without endeavouring to make it advantageous to you.

Ster. What advantage can your inconstancy be to me, sir John?

Sir John. I'll tell you, sir. You know, that, by the articles at present subsisting between us, on the day of my marriage with Miss Sterling, you

shall require for the regular payment of the interest, till the principal is duly discharged.

Ster. Why-to do you justice, sir John, there is something fair and open in your proposal; and since I find you do not mean to put an affront upon the family

Sir John. Nothing was ever farther from my thoughts, Mr Sterling.---And, after all, the whole affair is nothing extraordinary---such things happen every day; and, as the world has only heard generally of a treaty between the families, when this marriage takes place, nobody will be the wiser, if we have but discretion enough to keep our own counsel.

Ster. True, true; and, since you only transfer from one girl to the other, it is no more than transferring so much stock, you know. Sir John. The very thing!

Ster. Odso! I had forgot.-We are reckoning without our host here--there is another difficulty

Sir John. You alarm me! What can that be? Ster. I can't stir a step in this business without consulting my sister Heidelberg.---The family has very great expectations from her, and we must not give her any offence.