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keeping till I can buy them off with something | eye of candour will, I hope, atone for any faults, she shall think more valuable; now, tell me when by which these good qualities are not impaired. shall I meet her?

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SCENE III.-LADY RUSPORT's house. Enter Miss RUSPORT, followed by a servant. Char. Desire Mr Stockwell to walk in. [Exit servant.

Enter STOCKWELL. Stock. Madam, your most obedient servant: I am honoured with your commands, by captain Dudley, and have brought the money with me as you directed-I understand the sum you have occasion for is two hundred pounds.

Char. It is, sir—I am quite confounded at your taking this trouble upon yourself, Mr Stockwell.

Stock. There is a bank-note, madam, to the amount your jewels are in safe hands, and will be delivered to you directly. If I had been happy in being better known to you, I should have hoped you would not have thought it necessary to place a deposit in my hands for so trifling a sum as you have now required me to supply you with.

Char. The baubles I sent you may very well be spared; and, as they are the only security in my present situation I can give you, I could wish you would retain them in your hands: when I am of age (which, if I live a few months, I shall be), I will replace your favour with thanks.

Stock. It is obvious, Miss Rusport, that your charms will suffer no impeachment by the absence of those superficial ornaments; but they should be seen in the suite of a woman of fashion, not as creditors, to whom you are indebted for your appearance, but as subservient attendants, which help to make up your equipage. Char. Mr Stockwell is determined not to wrong the confidence I reposed in his politeness.

Stock. I have only to request, madam, that you will allow Mr Belcour, a young gentleman in whose happiness I particularly interest myself, to have the honour of delivering you the box of jewels.

Char. Most gladly; any friend of yours cannot fail of being welcome here.

Stock. I flatter myself you will not find him totally undeserving your good opinion—an education, not of the strictest kind, and strong animal spirits, are apt, sometimes, to betray him into youthful irregularities: but an high principle of honour, and an uncommon benevolence, in the

Char. I dare say Mr Belcour's behaviour wants no apology-we've no right to be over strict in canvassing the morals of a common acquaintance. Stock. I wish it may be my happiness to see Mr Belcour in the list, not of your common, but particular acquaintance-of your friends, Miss Rusport-I dare not be more explicit.

Char. Nor need you, Mr Stockwell: I shall be studious to deserve his friendship; and, though I have long since unalterably placed my affection on another, I trust, I have not left myself insensible to the merits of Mr Belcour; and hope that neither he nor you will, for that reason, think me less worthy of your good opinion and regards.

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Stock. Miss Rusport, I sincerely wish you happy I have no doubt you have placed your affection on a deserving man; and I have no right to combat your choice. [Exit.

Char. How honourable is that behaviour! Now, if Charles were here, I should be happy. The old lady is so fond of her new Irish acquaintance, that I have the whole house at my disposal.

SCENE IV.

[Exit.

Enter BELCOUR, preceded by a Servant. Ser. I ask your honour's pardon; I thought my young lady was here: who shall I inform her would speak to her?

Bel. Belcour is my name, sir; and pray beg your lady to put herself in no hurry on my account; for I'd sooner see the devil than see her face.-[Exit Servant.]-In the name of all that's mischievous, why did Stockwell drive me hither in such haste? A pretty figure, truly, I shall make ! an ambassador without credentials. Blockhead that I was, to charge myself with her diamondsofficious, meddling puppy! Now they are irretrievably gone: that suspicious jade Fulmer wou'dn't part even with a sight of them, though I would have ransomed them at twice their value.-Now must I trust to my poor wits to bring me off: a lamentable dependance! Fortune be my helper :- -Here comes the girl. If she is noble-minded, as she is said to be, she will forgive me—i -if not, 'tis a lost cause; for I have not thought of one word in my excuse.

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with a large cargo of Muscavado sugars, rum-spinsters. The truth is, I've given away your puncheons, mahogany slabs, wet sweetmeats, and green paroquets.

sir?

Char. May I ask you how you like London,

Bel. To admiration: I think the town and the town's-folk are exactly suited; 'tis a great, rich, overgrown, noisy, tumultuous place: the whole morning is a bustle to get money, and the whole afternoon is a hurry to spend it.

Char. Are these all the observations you have made?

Bel. No, madam; I have observed the women are very captivating, and the men very soon caught.

Char. Ay, indeed! Whence do you draw that conclusion?

Bel. From infallible guides; the first remark I collect from what I now see, the second from I now feel.

Char. Oh, the deuce take you! But, to wave this subject-I believe, sir, this was a visit of business, not compliment: was it not?

Bel. Ay-now comes on my execution.
Char. You have some foolish trinkets of mine,
Mr Belcour; hav'n't you?

Bel. No, in truth, they are gone in search of a trinket, still more foolish than themselves.

[Aside.

Mr

Char. Some diamonds, I mean, sir. Stockwell informed me you was charged with them.

Bel. Oh, yes, madam-but I have the most treacherous memory in life-here they are: pray put them up; they're all right; you need not examine them. [Gives a box. Char. Hey-day-right, sir! Why these are not my diamonds; these are quite different; and, as it should seem, of much greater value.

Bel. Upon my life, I'm glad on't! for then, I hope, you value them more than your own.

Char. As a purchaser I should, but not as an owner: you mistake; these belong to somebody else.

Bel. 'Tis yours, I'm afraid, that belong to somebody else.

Char. What is it you mean? I must insist upon your taking them back again.

Bel. Pray, madam, don't do that; I shall infallibly lose them: I have the worst luck with diamonds of any man living.

Char, That you might well say, was you to give me these in the place of mine. But pray, sir, what is the reason of all this? Why have you changed the jewels, and where have you disposed of mine?

Bel. Miss Rusport, I cannot invent a lie for my life; and, if it was to save it, I cou'dn't tell one: I am an idle, dissipated, unthinking fellow, not worth your notice: in short, I am a West Indian; and you must try me according to the charter of my colony, not by a jury of English |

jewels; caught with a pair of sparkling eyes, whose lustre blinded theirs; I served your property as I should my own, and lavished it away. Let me not totally despair of your forgiveness! I frequently do wrong, but never with impunity if your displeasure is added to my own, my punishment will be too severe. When I parted from the jewels, I had not the honour of knowing their

owner.

Char. Mr Belcour, your sincerity charms me! I enter at once into your character, and I make all the allowances for it you can desire. I take your jewels for the present, because I know there is no other way of reconciling you to yourself; but, if I give way to your spirit in one point, you must yield to mine in another : remember, I will not keep more than the value of my own jewels: there is no need to be pillaged by more than one woman at a time, sir.

Bel. Now, may every blessing that can crown your virtues, and reward your beauty, be showered upon you! May you meet admiration without envy, love without jealousy, and old age without malady! May the man of your heart be ever constant, and may you never meet a less penitent or less grateful offender than myself!

Enter Servant, who delivers a letter.
Char. Does your letter require such haste?
Ser. I was bade to give it into your own
hands, madam.

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Char. From Charles Dudley, I see- -Have I your permission? Good Heaven, what do I read? Mr Belcour, you are concerned in this- Dear Charlotte, in the midst of our distress, Provi'dence has cast a benefactor in our way, after the most unexpected manner: a young West 'Indian, rich, and with a warmth of heart, peculiar to his climate, has rescued my father from 'his troubles, satisfied his wants, and enabled him to accomplish his exchange: when I relate to you the manner in which this was done, you 'will be charmed. I can only now add, that it was by chance we found out that his name is 'Belcour, and that he is a friend of Mr Stockwell's. I lose not a moment's time in making 'you acquainted with this fortunate event, for reasons which delicacy obliges me to suppress; 'but, perhaps, if you have not received the money on your jewels, you will not think it necessary now to do it. I have the honour to be, 'Dear madam,

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Most faithfully yours,
CHARLES DUDLEY.'

Is this your doing, sir? Never was generosity so worthily exerted.

Bel. Or so greatly overpaid.

Char. After what you have now done for this noble, but indigent family, let me not scruple to unfold the whole situation of my heart to you.―

Know, then, sir, (and don't think the worse of me for the frankness of my declaration), that such is my attachment to the son of that worthy officer, whom you relieved, that the moment I am of age, and in possession of my fortune, I should hold myself the happiest of women to share it with young Dudley.

Bel. Say you so, madam? then, let me perish if I don't love and reverence you above all woman-kind! and, if such is your generous resolution, never wait till you're of age; life is too short, pleasure too fugitive; the soul grows narrower ever hour. I'll equip you for your escape; I'll convey you to the man of your heart, and away with you, then, to the first hospitable parson that will take you in.

Char. O blessed be the Torrid Zone for ever, whose rapid vegetation quickens nature into such benignity! These latitudes are made for politics and philosophy; friendship has no root in this soil. But, had I spirit to accept your offer, which is not improbable, would'nt it be a mortifying thing for a fond girl to find herself mistaken, and sent back to her home like a vagrant? and such, for what I know, might be my case.

Bel. Then, he ought to be proscribed the society of mankind for everAy, ay; 'tis the sham sister that makes him thus indifferent; 'twill be a meritorious office to take that girl out of the way.

Enter Servant.

Ser. Miss Dudley to wait on you, madam. Bel. Who?

Ser. Miss Dudley.

Char, What's the matter, Mr Belcour? Are you frighted at the name of a pretty girl? Tis the sister of him we were speaking of-Pray, admit her.

Bel. The sister! So, so! he has imposed on her, too-This is an extraordinary visit, truly!Upon my soul, the assurance of some folks is not to be accounted for. [Aside. Char. I insist upon your not running away; you'll be charmed with Louisa Dudley.

Bel. Oh, yes, I am charmed with her.
Char. You have seen her, then, have you?
Bel. Yes, yes; I've seen her.

Char. Well, isn't she a delightful girl?
Bet. Very delightful.

Char. Why, you answer as if you was in a court of justice! O' my conscience, I believe you are caught! I've a notion she has tricked you out of your heart.

Bel. I believe she has, and you out of your jewels; for, to tell you the truth, she's the very person I gave them to.

Char. You gave her my jewels! Louisa Dudley my jewels? Admirable! inimitable! Oh, the sly little jade! But hush, here she comes; I don't know how I shall keep my countenance.

Enter LOUISA.

My dear, I'm rejoiced to see you: how d'ye do? I beg leave to introduce Mr Belcour, a very worthy friend of mine: I believe, Louisa, you have seen him before.

Lou. I have met the gentleman.

Char. You have met the gentleman! well, sir, and you have met the lady in short, you have met each other; why, then, don't you speak to each other? How you both stand! tongue-tied, and fixed as statues !- -Ha, ha, ha! Why you'll fall asleep by-and-by.

Lou. Fy upon you, fy upon you! is this fair? Bel. Upon my soul, I never looked so like a fool in my life! the assurance of that girl puts me quite down. [Aside.

Char. Sir Mr Belcour-Was it your pleasure to advance any thing? Not a syllable. Come, Louisa, women's wit, they say, is never at a loss-Nor you 'neither? Speechless bothWhy, you was merry enough before this lady came in.

Lou. I am sorry I have been any interruption to your happiness, sir.

Bel. Madam!

Char. Madam! Is that all you can say? But come, my dear girl, I won't tease you. Apropos, I must shew you what a present this dumb gentleman has made me: are not these handsome diamonds?

Lou. Yes, indeed, they seem very fine; but I am no judge of these things.

Char. Oh, you wicked little hypocrite! you are no judge of these things, Louisa; you have no diamonds! not you!

Lou. You know I have not, Miss Rusport: you know those things are infinitely above my reach.

Char. Ha, ha, ha!

Bel. She does tell a lie with an admirable countenance, that's true enough.

Lou. What ails you, Charlotte? What impertinence have I been guilty of, that you should find it necessary to humble me at such a rate? If you are happy, long may you be so; but, surely, it can be no addition to it to make me miserable.

Char. So serious! there must be some mystery in this-Mr Belcour, will you leave us together? You see I treat you with all the famili arity of an old acquaintance already.

Bel. Oh, by all means, pray command me.— Miss Rusport, I am your most obedient. By your condescension in accepting these poor trifles, I am under eternal obligations to you-To you, Miss Dudley, I shall not offer a word on that subject: you despise finery; you have a soul above it; I adore your spirit; I was rather unprepared for meeting you here; but I shall

hope for an opportunity of making myself better | very identical jewels which you pledged for me known to you. to Mr Stockwell; and will you believe, that this little demure slut made up a face, and squeezed out three or four hypocritical tears, because I rallied her about it!

[Exit. Char. Louisa Dudley, you surprise me; I never saw you act thus before: can't you bear a little innocent raillery before the man of your

heart?

Lou. The man of my heart, madam? Be assured I never was so visionary to aspire to any man whom Miss Rusport honours with her choice.

Char. My choice, my dear! Why, we are playing at cross-purposes: how entered it into your head that Mr Belcour was the man of my choice?

Lou. Why, did not he present you with those diamonds?

Char. Well, perhaps he did—and, pray, Louisa, have you no diamonds?

Lon. I diamonds, truly! Who should give me diamonds?

Char. Who, but this very gentleman? apropos, here comes your brother.

Enter CHARLES.

I insist upon referring our dispute to him: your sister and I, Charles, have a quarrel. Belcour, the hero of your letter, has just left us-some how or other, Louisa's bright eyes have caught him; and the poor fellow's fallen desperately in love with her (don't interrupt me, hussy)-Well, that's excusable enough, you'll say; but the jest of the story is, that this hair-brained spark, who does nothing like other people, has given her the

Cha. I'm all astonishment! Louisa, tell me, without reserve, has Mr Belcour given you any diamonds?

Lou. None; upon my honour!

Cha. Has he made any professions to you? Lou. He has; but altogether in a style so whimsical and capricious, that the best which can be said of them is to tell you, that they scemed more the result of good spirits than good manners.

Char. Ay, ay; now the murder's out; he's in love with her, and she has no very great dislike to him; trust to my observation, Charles, for that: as to the diamonds, there's some mistake about them, and you must clear it up: three minutes conversation with him will put every thing in a right train; go, go, Charles; 'tis a brother's business; about it instantly; ten to one you'll find him over the way at Mr Stockwell's.

Cha. I confess I'm impatient to have the case cleared up. I'll take your advice, and find him out good bye to you.

Char. Your servant; my life upon it you'll find Belcour a man of honour. Come, Louisa, let us adjourn to my dressing room. I've a little private business to transact with you, before the old lady comes up to tea and interrupts us.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.-FULMER'S house. Enter FULMER and MRS FUlmer. Ful. PATTY, was not Mr Belcour with you? Mrs Ful. He was; and is now shut up in my chamber, in high expectation of an interview with Miss Dudley; she's at present with her brother, and 'twas with some difficulty I persuaded my hot-headed spark to wait till he has left her.

Ful. Well, child; and what then?

Mrs Ful. Why then, Mr Fulmer, I think it will be time for you and me to steal a march, and be gone.

, Ful. So, this is all the fruit of your ingenious project? a shameful overthrow, or a sudden flight? Mrs Ful. Why, my project was a mere impromptu, and can, at worst, but quicken our departure a few days; you know we had fairly outlived our credit here, and a trip to Boulogne is no ways unseasonable. Nay, never droop, man. Hark! Hark! here's enough to bear charges. [Shewing a purse. Ful. Let me see, let me see this weighs well; this is of the right sort: why your West Indian bled freely.

[Exeunt.

Mrs Ful. But that's not all: look here! Here are the sparklers! [Shewing the jewels.] Now, what d'ye think of my performances! eh? a foolish scheme, is not it-a silly woman—?

Ful. Thou art a Judith, a Joan of Arc, and I'll march under thy banners, girl, to the world's end. Come, let's begone; I've little to regret; my creditors may share the old books amongst them; they'll have occasion for philosophy to support their loss; they'll find enough upon my shelves: the world is my library; I read. mankind-Now, Patty, lead the way. Mrs Ful. Adieu, Belcour!

SCENE II.

[Exeunt.

Enter CHARLES DUDLEY and LOUISA. Cha. Well, Louisa, I confess the force of what you say: I accept Miss Rusport's bounty; and, when you see my generous Charlotte, tell herbut have a care! there is a selfishness even in gratitude, when it is too profuse: to be overthankful for any one favour, is in effect to lay out for another; the best return I could make my benefactress would be, never to see her more.

Lou. I understand you.

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fence.

Cha. We that are poor, Louisa, should be cautious for this reason, I would guard you against Belcour; at least, till I can unravel the mystery of Miss Rusport's diamonds. I was disappointed of finding him at Mr Stockwell's, and am now going in search of him again: he may intend honourably; but, I confess to you, I am staggered; think no more of him, therefore, for the present: of this be sure, while I have life, and you have honour, I will protect you, or perish in your de[Exit CHA. Lou. Think of him no more! Well, I'll obey; but if a wandering uninvited thought should creep by chance into my bosom, must I not give the harmless wretch a shelter? Oh! yes; the great artificer of the human heart knows every thread he wove into its fabric, nor puts his work to harder uses than it was made to bear: my wishes then, my guiltless ones, I mean, are free: how fast they spring within me at that sentence ! Down, down, ye busy creatures! Whither would you carry me? Ah! there is one amongst you, a forward, new intruder, that, in the likeness of an offending, generous man, grows into favour with my heart. Fye, fye upon it! Belcour pursues, insults me; yet, such is the fatality of my condition, that what should rouse resentment, only calls up love.

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Bel. See, I obey you; mould me as you will, behold your ready servant! New to your country, ignorant of your manners, habits, and desires, I put myself into your hands for instruction; make me only such as you can like yourself, and I shall be happy.

Lou. I must not hear this, Mr Belcour: go; should he, that parted from me but this minute, now return, I tremble for the consequence.

Bel. Fear nothing; let him come: I love you, madam; he'll find it hard to make me unsay

that.

Lou. You terrify me! your impetuous temper frightens me; you know my situation; it is not generous to pursue me thus.

Bel. True; I do know your situation, your real one, Miss Dudley, and am resolved to snatch you from it: 'twill be a meritorious act. The old captain shall rejoice; Miss Rusport shall be made happy; and even he, even your beloved brother, with whose resentment you threaten me, shall, in the end, applaud and thank me. Come, thou art a dear, enchanting girl, and I'm determined not to live a minute longer without thee!

Lou. Hold! are you mad? I see you are a bold, assuming man, and know not where to stop.

Bel. Who, that beholds such beauty, can? By Heaven, you put my blood into a flame! Provoking girl! is it within the stretch of my fortune to content you? What is it you can further ask that I am not ready to grant?

Lou. Yes, with the same facility that you bestowed upon me Miss Rusport's diamonds. For shame! for shame! was that a manly story?

Bel. So so! these devilish diamonds meet me every where-Let me perish if I meant you any harm. Oh! I could tear my tongue out for saying a word about the matter.

Lou. Go to her, then, and contradict it; till that is done, my reputation is at stake.

Bel. Her reputation! Now she has got upon that, she'll go on for ever.-What is there I will not do for your sake? I will go to Miss Rusport.

Lou. Do so; restore her own jewels to her, which, I suppose, you kept back for the purpose of presenting others to her of a greater value; but, for the future, Mr Belcour, when you would do a gallant action to that lady, don't let it be at my expence.

Bel. I see where she points: she is willing enough to give up Miss Rusport's diamonds, now she finds she shall be a gainer by the exchange. Be it so! 'tis what I wished!-[Aside.]—Well, madam, I will return Miss Rusport her own jewels, and you shall have others of tenfold their value.

Lou. No, sir; you err most widely; it is my good opinion, not my vanity, which you must bribe.

Bel. Why, what the devil would she have now? -Miss Dudley, it is my wish to obey and please you, but I have some apprehension that we mistake each other.

Lou. I think we do: tell me, then, in a few words, what is it you aim at?

Bel. In few words, then, and in plain honesty, I must tell you, so entirely am I captivated with you, that had you but been such as it would have become me to have called my wife, I had been happy in knowing you by that name; as it is, you are welcome to partake my fortune: give me, in return, your person, give me pleasure, give me love; free, disencumbered, anti-matrimonial love! Lou. Stand off! and let me never see you

more.

Bel. Hold, hold, thou dear, tormenting, tantalizing girl! Upon my knees, I swear, you shall not stir till you've consented to my bliss. Lou. Unhand me, sir: O Charles! protect me, rescue me, redress me! [Exit Lov.

Enter CHARLES DUDLEY. Cha. How's this! Rise, villain, and defend yourself! Bel. Villain!

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