don't know whether I fly on Ground, or walk in Air-Gads-bud, she was never thus beforeWell, I must own my self the most beholden to Mr. Careless As sure as can be this is all his doing, -something that he has said; well, 'tis a rare thing to have an ingenious Friend. Well, your Ladyship is of Opinion that the Match may go for

ward.

L. P. By all means- Mr. Careless has fatisfy'd me of the Matter.

Sir Paul. Well, why then Lamb you may keep your Oath; but have a care of making rafh Vows. Come hither to me, and kiss Papa.

L. P. I swear and declare, I am in such a twitter to read Mr. Careless his Letter, that I can't forbear any longer - But though I may read all Letters first by Prerogative, yet I'll be sure to be unfupected this time. Sir Paul.

Sir Paul. Did your Ladyship call?

L. P. Nay, not to interrupt you my Dear - Only lend me your Letter, which you had from your Steward to Day: I would look upon the Account again; and may be increase your Allowance.

Sir Paul. There it is, Madam; Do you want a Pen and Ink; [Bows and gives the Letter.

L. P. No, no, nothing else, I thank you, Sir Paul. So now I can read my own Letter under the Cover of his. [Afide.

Sir Paul. He? And wilt thou bring a Grandson at nine Months end-He? A brave chopping Boy.

I'll fettle a thousand Pound a Year upon the Rogue as loon as ever he looks me in the Face, I will Gads-bud. I'm overjoy'd to think I have any of my Family that will bring Children into the World. For I would fain have some Resemblance of my

self in my Pofterity, he Thy? Can't you contrive that

that Affair Girl? Do Gads-bud, think on thy old Father; heh? Make the young Rogue as like as you

can.

1

Cynt. I'm glad to see you so merry, Sir.

Sir Paul. Merry, Gads-bud I'm serious; I'll give thee 500. 1. for every Inch of him that resembles me: ah this Eye, this left Eye! A thousand Pound for this left Eye. This has done Execution in its time Girl; why thou haft my Leer Hussey, just thy Fathers Leer. - Let it be tranfmitted to the young Rogue by the help of Imagination; why'tis the Mark of our Family Thy, our House is diftinguish'd by a languishing Eye, as the House of Austria is by a thick Lip. - Ah! when I was of your Age Husley, I would have held fifry to one, I could have drawn my own Picture Gads-bud I could have done not so much as you neither, -but-nay, don't blush

Cynt. I don't blush, Sir, for I vow I don't understand

Sir Paul. Plhaw, Pshaw, you fib you Baggage, you do understand, and you shall understand; come don't be so nice, Gads-bud don't learn after your Mother-in-Law my Lady here: Marry Heav'n forbid that you should follow her Example, that would spoil all indeed. Bless us, if you should take a Vagarie and make a rash Resolution on your Wedding Night, to die a Maid, as she did; all were ruin'd, all my Hopes loft - My Heart would break, and my Estate would be left to the wide World, he? I hope you are a better Christian than to think of living a Nun; he? Answer me?

Cynt. I'm all Obedience, Sir, to your Commands. L. P. [Having read the Letter.] Odear Mr. Careless, I swear he writes charmingly, and he talks charmingly, and he looks charmingly; and he has charm'd me, as much as I have charm'd him; and

fo

I'll tell him in the Wardrobe when 'tis dark. O

Crimine! I hope Sir Paul has not seen both Letters.

[Puts the wrong Letter hastily up, and gives him her own.

Sir Paul, here's your Letter, to Morrow Morning I'll settle Accounts to your Advantage.

SCENE IV.

[To them] BRISK.

BRISK.

IR Paul, Gads bud you're an uncivil Person, let me tell you, and all that; and I did not think

Slet

it had been in you.

Sir Paul. O Law, what's the matter now? I hope you are not angry, Mr. Brisk.

Brisk. Deuce take me, I believe you intend to marry your Daughter your self; you're always brooding over her like an old Hen, as if the were not well hatch'd, I'gad, he?

Sir Paul. Good strange! Mr. Brisk's such a merry facetious Person, he, he, he. No, no, I have done with her, I have done with her now.

Brisk. The Fiddles have stay'd this Hour in the Hall, and my Lord Froth wants a Partner, we can never begin without her.

Sir Paul. Go, go Child, go, get you gone and dance and be merry, I'll come and look at you by and by. Where's my Son Mellefont?

L. P. I'll send him to them, I know where he is

Brisk. Sir Paul, will you send Careless into the Hall if you meet him

Sir

Sir Paul. I will, I will, I'll go and look for hims on purpose.

SCENE V.

Sportunity

BRISK alone.

BRISK.

O now they are all gone, and I have an Opto practise. Ah! My dear Lady Froth! She's a most engaging Creature, if the were not so fond of that damn'd coxcombly Lord of hers, and yet I am forced to allow him Wit too, to keep in with him-No matter, she's a Woman of Parts, and I'gad Parts will carry her. She said the would follow me into the Gallery - Now to make my Approaches-Hem hem! Ah Ma- (Bows.) dam!-Pox on't, why should I disparage my Parts by thinking what to say; None but dull Rogues think; witty Men, like rich Fellows, arealways ready for all Expences; while your Blockheads, like poor needy Scoundrels, are forced to examine their Stock, and forecast the Charges of the Day. Here the comes, I'll seem not to see her, and try to win her with a new airy Invention of my own hem!

SCE

I

me.

SCENE VI.

[To him] Lady FROTH,

BRISK Sings, walking about.

M fick with Love ha, ha, ha, prithee come cure I'm sick with, &c. O ye Pow'rs! O my Lady Froth, my Lady Froth ! My Lady Froth! Heigho! Break heart; Gods I thank you.

[Stands musing with his Arms a-cross.

L. Froth. O Heav'ns, Mr. Brisk! What's the Matter?

Brisk. My Lady Froth! Your Ladyships most humble Servant;-The Matter, Madam, nothing Madam, nothing at all I'gad. I was fallen into the most agreeable Amusement in the whole Province of Contemplation: That's all-(I'll feem to conceal my Paffion, and that will look like Respect. [Afide. L. Froth. Bless me, why did you call out upon me so loud?

Brisk. O Lord I Madam! I beseech your Ladyship - when?

L. Froth. Just now as I came in, bless me, why don't you know it ?

Brisk. Not I, let me perish - But did I! Strange ! I confess your Ladyship was in my Thoughts; and I was in a fort of Dream that did in a manner represent a very pleasing Object to my Imagination, but-but did I indeed? - To see how Love and Murder will out. But did I really name my Lady Froth?

L.