me-as sure as can be it would.—We wanted your company- -but Mr. Brisk, where is he? I swear and vow he's a most facetious person-and the best company. And my Lord Froth-your Lordship is so merry a man, he, he, he! Ld. F. O foy, Sir Paul, what do you mean? Merry! O, barbarous! I'd as lieve you had called me fool. Sir Paul. Nay, I protest and vow now 't is true; when Mr. Brisk jokes, your lordship's laugh does so become you, he, he, he! Ld. F. Ridiculous!-Sir Paul, you're strangely mistaken; I find champagne is powerful, I assure you, Sir Paul, I laugh at nobody's jest but my own, or a lady's, I assure you, Sir Paul. Brisk. How! how, my lord! What, affront my wit! Let me perish, do I never say any thing worthy to be laughed at? So, Ld. F. O foy, do n't misapprehend me; I don't say for I often smile at your conceptions. But there is nothing more unbecoming a man of quality, than to laugh; 'tis such a vulgar expression of the passion! every body can laugh. Then, especially to laugh at the jest of an inferior person, or when any body else of the same quality does not laugh with one. Ridiculous! to be pleased with what pleases the croud! Now, when I laugh, I always laugh alone! Brisk. I suppose that's because you laugh at your own jests, 'egad, ha, ha, ha! Ld. F. He, he! I swear though, your raillery provokes me to a smile. Brisk. Ay, my Lord, it's a sign I hit you in the teeth, if you shew 'em. Ld. F. He, he, he, I swear that's so very pretty, I can't forbear. “ Care. I find a quibui eas more sway in your "lordship's face than a st.. Ld. T. Sir Paul, if you nese we I wire to the ladies, and drink a dist free or at. Sir P. With all my heart Mr. Bre on I came to us or call me when no ore 1 st laugh incontinentiv. 2 aus For Fa Mel. But does your zeruar Ymeries Ld. F. O yes, sometums, tie ag Mel. No? Ld. F. Oh, no, neve mes met ar Care. No! Wir war Ld. F. To di nalty, and more tea conceited wher the side-boxes? constrained mnclinar to avoid giving hem encou Mel. You are cruel to your as malicious to them. Ld F. I zanfess I did myself so but now I think I have conquered » Brist. Let me perish, my lord. thing very particular in the makes against wit, and I'm so mine that write, but 'egad I Nay, deuce take me, there's wit in 't too and wit must be foiled by wit; cut a diamond with a diamond, no other way, 'egad. Ld. F. Oh, I thought you would not be long before you found out the wit. Care. Wit! in what? Where the devil's the wit in not laughing when a man has a mind tot? Brisk. O lord, why, can't you find it out ?—Why, there 'tis in the not laughing-Don't you apprehend me ?- -My lord, Careless is a very honest fellow, but hark ye-you understand me, somewhat heavy, a little shallow or so. Why, I'll tell you now, suppose now you came up to me-nay, pr’ythee, Careless, be instructed. Suppose, as I was saying, you come up to me holding your sides, and laughing as if you would-well-I look grave, and ask the cause of this immoderate mirth-you laugh on still, and are not able to tell me—still I look grave, not so much as smile. Care. Smile, no, what the devil should you smile at, when you suppose I can't tell you? Brisk. Pshaw, pshaw, pr'ythee don't interrupt me. But I tell you, you shall tell me-at last-but it shall be a great while first. Care. Well, but pry'thee don't let it be a great while, because I long to have it over. Brisk. Well then, you tell me some good jest, or very witty thing, laughing all the while as if you were ready to die-and I hear it, and look thusWould not you be disappointed? Care. No; for if it were a witty thing, I should not expect you to understand it. Ld. F. O foy, Mr. Careless, all the world allows Mr. Brisk to have wit; my wife says he has a great deal. I hope you think her a judge. Brisk. Pooh, my lord, his voice goes for nothing.— I can't tell how to make in apprend-Tike it t' other way. Suppose I say a witty sing to you? Care. Then I shall be appointed indeed. Mel. Let him alone, Bria, te is satinately bent not to be instructed. Brisk. I'm sorry for m. the fence tike ne. Ld. F. With al my sear a solitude without Mel. Or, what he wale sf pagne ? Ld. F. O, for the mere at fors: e seech you my Ch, face already. temperat -Takes out a pucks are set Brisk. Let me see, let me glass that was in the lid of my take me, I have encourager pup EZ DAL Ld. F. Then you must me. my wife shall supply you. L here is company coming. L. T. Ha! Mask. Look you, madam, we are alone.-Pray contain yourself and hear me. You know you loved your nephew when I first sighed for you; I quickly found it; an argument that I lov'd: for with that art you veiled your passion, 't was imperceptible to all but jealous eyes. This discovery made me bold, I confess it; for by it I thought you in my power.Your nephew's scorn of you added to my hopes; I watched the occasion, and took you just repulsed by him, warm at once with love and indignation; your disposition, my arguments, and happy opportunity, accomplished my design; I prest the yielding minute, and was blest. How I have loved you since, words have not shewn, then how should words express? L. T. Well, mollifying devil!met your love with forward fire? -And have I not Mask. Your zeal I grant was ardent, but misplaced -there was revenge in view; that woman's idol had defiled the temple of the god, and love was made a mock-worship. A son and heir would have edged young Mellefont upon the brink of ruin, and left him none but you to catch at for prevention. L. T. Again, provoke me! Do you wind me like a larum, only to rouse my stilled soul for your diversion? Confusion! Mask. Nay, madam, I am gone, if you relapseWhat needs this? I say nothing but what you yourself, in open hours of love, have told me. Why should you deny it? Nay, how can you? Is not all |