Love. What company have you there, my lord? {

[Smiling. Lord Ogle. My own ideas, sir, which so crowd upon my imagination, and kindle in it such a delirium of ecstacy, that wit, wine, music, poetry, all combined, and each perfection, are but mere mortal shadows of my felicity.

Love. I see that your lordship is happy, and I rejoice at it.

Lord Ogle. You shall rejoice at it, sir; my felicity shall not selfishly be confined, but shall spread its influence to the whole circle of my friends. I need not say, Lovewell, that you shall have your share of it.

Love. Shall I, my lord?-Then I understand you; you have heard-Miss Fanny has informed you

Lord Ogle. She has; I have heard, and she shall be happy; 'tis determined.

Love. Then I have reached the summit of my wishes. And will your lordship pardon the folly? Lord Ogle. O yes; poor creature, how could she help it? Twas unavoidable-Fate and necessity.

Love. It was, indeed, my lord. Your kindness distracts me.

Lord Ogle. And so did the poor girl, faith! Love. She trembled to disclose the secret, and declare her affections?

Lord Ogle. The world, I believe, will not think her affections ill placed.

Love. [Bowing.] You are too good, my lord. And do you really excuse the rashness of the action?

Lord Ogle. The moment that love and pity entered my breast, I was resolved to plunge into matrimony, and shorten the girl's tortures-I never do any thing by halves; do I, Lovewell?

Love. No, indeed, my lord. [Sighs.] What an accident!

Lord Ogle. What's the matter, Lovewell? thou seem'st to have lost thy faculties! Why don't you wish me joy, man?

Love. O, I do, my lord.

[Sighs. Lord Ogle. She said that you would explain what she had not power to utter; but I wanted no interpreter for the language of love.

Love. But has your lordship considered the consequences of your resolution!

Lord Ogle. No, sir, I am above consideration, when my desires are kindled.

Love. But, consider the consequences, my lord, to your nephew, sir John.

Lord Ogle. Sir John has considered no consequences himself, Mr Lovewell.

Love. Mr Sterling, my lord, will certainly refuse his daughter to sir John.

Lord Ogle. Sir John has already refused Mr

ness.

Her choice was a disinterested one. Lord Ogle. No, no; not altogether; it began with interest, and ended in passion.

Love. Indeed, my lord, if you were acquainted with her goodness of heart, and generosity of mind, as well as you are acquainted with the inferior beauties of her face and person

Lord Ogle. I am so perfectly convinced of their existence, and so totally of your mind, touching every amiable particular of that sweet girl, that, were it not for the cold unfeeling impediments of the law, I would marry her to-morrow morning.

Love. My lord!

Love. But what will become of Miss Sterling, my lord?

-You may

Lord Ogle. What's that to you?have her, if you will. I depend upon Mr Sterling's city-philosophy, to be reconciled to lord Ogleby's being his son-in-law, instead of sir John Melvil, baronet. Don't you think that your master may be brought to that, without having recourse to his calculations! Eh, Lovewell?

Love. But, my lord, that is not the question. Lord Ogle. Whatever is the question, I'll tell you my answer.I am in love with a fine girl, whom I resolve to marry.

Enter SIR JOHN MELVIL.

What news with you, sir John?-You look all hurry and impatience—like a messenger after a battle.

Sir John. After a battle, indeed, my lord! I have this day had a severe engagement, and, wanting your lordship as an auxiliary, I have at last mustered up resolution to declare what my duty to you and to myself have demanded from

me some time.

Lovewell? [He smiles, and LOVEWELL bows.

Sir John. I find 'tis in vain, my lord, to struggle against the force of inclination.

Lord Ogle. Very true, nephew; I am your witness, and will second the motion-shan't I, Lovewell? [Smiles, and LOVEWELL bows. Sir John. Your lordship's generosity encourages me to tell you, that I cannot marry Miss Sterling.

Lord Ogle. I am not at all surprised at itshe's a bitter potion, that's the truth of it; but as you were to swallow it, and not I, it was your business, and not mine-Any thing more?

Sir John. But this, my lord; that I may be permitted to make my addresses to the other

sister.

Lord Ogle. O yes; by all means- -have you any hopes there, nephew?-Do you think he'll succeed, Lovewell?

try.

[Smiles, and winks at LoveWELL. Love. I think not, my lord. [Gravely. Lord Ogle. I think so, too; but let the fool

Sir John. Will your lordship favour me with your good offices to remove the chief obstacle to the match, the repugnance of Mrs Heidelberg?

Lord Ogle. Mrs Heidelberg! Had not you better begin with the young lady first? It will save you a great deal of trouble: won't it, Lovewell? [Smiles.] But do what you please, it will be the

same thing to me: won't it, Lovewell? [Conceitedly.] Why don't you laugh at him? Love. I do, my lord.

[Forces a smile. Sir John. And your lordship will endeavour to prevail on Mrs Heidelberg to consent to my marriage with Miss Fanny?

Lord Ogle. I'll speak to Mrs Heidelberg about the adorable Fanny as soon as possible. Sir John. Your generosity transports me! Lord Ogle. Poor fellow, what a dupe! he little thinks who's in possession of the town.

[Aside.

Sir John. And your lordship is not in the least offended at this seeming inconstancy?

Lord Ogle. Not in the least. Miss Fanny's charms will even excuse infidelity. I look upon women as the feræ naturæ-lawful game-and every man who is qualified, has a natural right to pursue them;-Lovewell as well as you, and I as well as either of you. Every man shall do his best, without offence to anywhat say you, kinsmen?

Sir John. You have made me happy, my lord. Love. And me, I assure you, my lord!

Lord Ogle. And I am superlatively so—allons donc ! to horse and away, boys!—you to your affairs, and I to mine-suivons l'amour. [Sings. [Exeunt severally.

SCENE I.-FANNY's apartment. Enter LOVEWELL and FANNY, followed by BETTY.

Fan. WHY did you come so soon, Mr Lovewell? the family is not yet in bed, and Betty certainly heard somebody listening near the chamberdoor.

Bet. My mistress is right, sir! evil spirits are abroad; and I am sure you are both too good, not to expect mischief from them.

Love. But who can be so curious, or so wicked?

Bet. I think we have wickedness and curiosity enough in this family, sir, to expect the worst.

Fan. I do expect the worst.- -Prithee, Betty, return to the outward door, and listen if you hear any body in the gallery; and let us know directly.

Bet. I warrant you, madam-the lord bless you both! [Exit BET. Fan. What did my father want with you this evening?

Love. He gave me the key of his closet, with orders to bring from London some papers relating to lord Ogleby.

Fan. And why did you not obey him? Love. Because I am certain that his lordship has opened his heart to him about you, and those

papers are wanted merely on that account-but as we shall discover all to-morrow, there will be no occasion for them, and it would be idle in me to go.

Fan. Hark! hark! bless me, how I tremble! -I feel the terrors of guilt-indeed, Mr Lovewell, this is too much for me.

Love. And for me, too, my sweet Fanny! Your apprehensions make a coward of me. But what can alarm you? your aunt and sister are in their chambers, and you have nothing to fear from the rest of the family.

Fan. I fear every body, and every thing, and every momentMy mind is in continual agitation and dread; indeed, Mr Lovewell, this situation may have very unhappy consequences.

[Weeps.

Love. But it shan't-I would rather tell our story this moment to all the house, and run the risk of maintaining you by the hardest labour, than suffer you to remain in this dangerous perplexity.-What! shall I sacrifice all my best hopes and affections, in your dear health and safety, for the mean, and, in such case, the meanest consideration-of your fortune !—Were we to be abandoned by all our relations, we have that in our hearts and minds will weigh against the most affluent circumstances. I should not have proposed the secrecy of our marriage, but

Miss Ster. But, my dear madam, a moment is an age, in my situation. I am sure my sister has been plotting my disgrace and ruin in that chamber-O! she's all craft and wickedness.

Mrs Heid. Well, but softly, Betsey !-you are all in emotion-your mind is too much flustrated -you can neither eat, nor drink, nor take your natural rest-compose yourself, child; if we are not as warysome as they are wicked, we shall disgrace ourselves and the whole fammaly.

Miss Ster. We are disgraced already, madam. Sir John Melvil has forsaken me; my lord cares for nobody but himself; or, if any body, it is my sister; my father, for the sake of a better bargain, would marry me to a 'Change broker; so that if you, madam, don't continue my friendif and consolation-in your tenderness-and affec tions-I had better-at once-give up the matter-and let my sister enjoy-the fruits of her treachery-trample with scorn upon the rights of her elder sister, the will of the best of aunts and the weakness of a too interested father. [She pretends to be bursting into tears all this speech.

you forsake me-if I am to lose my best hopes

Mrs Heid. Don't, Betsey-keep up your spurrit -I hate whimpering-I am your friend-depend upon me in every particular--but be composed, and tell me what new mischief you have discovered?

Miss Ster. I had no desire to sleep, and would not undress myself, knowing that my Machiavel sister would not rest till she had broke my heart: -I was so uneasy that I could not stay in my room; but, when I thought that all the house was quiet, I sent my maid to discover what was going forward; she immediately came back, and told me that they were in high consultation; that she had heard only, for it was in the dark, my sister's maid conduct sir John Melvil to her mistress, and then lock the door.

Mrs Heid. And how did you conduct yourself in this dalimma?

Miss Ster. I returned with her, and could hear a man's voice, though nothing that they said, distinctly; and you may depend upon it, that sir John is now in that room, that they have settled the matter, and will run away together before morning, if we don't prevent them.

Mrs Heid. Why, the brazen slut! she has got her sister's husband (that is to be) locked up in her chamber! at night, too!-I tremble at the thoughts!

Miss Ster. Hush, madam! I hear something.

Mrs Heid. You frighten me-let me put on my fly-cap-I would not be seen in this figur for the world.

Miss Ster. 'Tis dark, madam; you can't be

seen.

Mrs Heid. I protest there's a candle coming, and a man, too!

Enter BRUSH, half drunk, laying hold of the Chamber-maid, who has a candle in her hand.

Cham. Be quiet, Mr Brush; I shall drop down with terror!

Brush. But my sweet, and most amiable chambermaid, if you have no love, you may hearken to a little reason; that cannot possibly do your virtue any harm.

Cham. But you may do me harm, Mr Brush, and a great deal of harm, too; pray let me go; I am ruined if they hear you; I tremble like an asp.

Brush. But they shan't hear us; and if you have a mind to be ruined, it shall be the making of your fortune, you little slut, you! therefore, I say it again, if you have no love, hear a little reason!

Cham. I wonder at your impurence, Mr Brush, to use me in this manner; this is not the way to keep me company, I assure you. You are a town-rake, I see; and now you are a little in liquor, you fear nothing.

Brush. Nothing, by Heavens, but your frowns, most amiable chamber-maid! I am a little electrified, that's the truth on't; I am not used to drink port, and your master's is so heady, that a pint of it oversets a claret-drinker.

Cham. Don't be rude! bless me !-I shall be ruined-what will become of me?

Brush. I'll take care of you, by all that's honourable!

Cham. You are a base man to use me so-I'll cry out, if you don't let me go. That is Miss Sterling's chamber, that Miss Fanny's, and that Madam Heidelberg's.

Brush. And that my lord Ogleby's, and that my lady What-d'ye-call-'em's: I don't mind such folks when I'm sober, much less when I am whimsical-rather above that, too.

Cham. More shame for you, Mr Brush!—you terrify me-you have no modesty.

Brush. O, but I have, my sweet spider-brusher!-for instance; I reverence Miss Fannyshe's a most delicious morsel, and fit for a prince.

-With all my horrors of matrimony, I could marry her myself—but for her sisterMiss Ster. There, there, madam, all in a story! Cham. Bless me, Mr Brush!-I heard something!

Brush. Rats, I suppose, that are gnawing the old timbers of this execrable old dungeon-If it was mine, I would pull it down, and fill your fine canal up with the rubbish; and then I should get rid of two damned things at once.

Cham. Law! law! how you blaspheme !-we shall have the house upon our heads for it.

Brush. No, no; it will last our time-but, as Į was saying, the eldest sister-Miss Jezebel———