I'm fo amaz'd, and fo overjoy'd, so afraid, and fo forry.- But did you give me this Letter on Purpose, he? Did you?

L. P. Did I? Do you doubt me Turk, Sarazen? I have a Coufin that's a Proctor in the Commons, I'll go to him inftantly..

Sir Paul. Hold, ftay, I beseech your LadyshipI'm fo overjoy'd, ftay, I'll confess all.

L. P. What will you confefs, Jew?

Sir Paul. Why now as I hope to be faved, I had no Hand in this Letter Nay hear me, I befeech your Ladyfhip: The Devil take me now if he did not go beyond my Commiffion- If I defired him to do any more than speak a good Word only just for me; Gads-bud only for poor Sir Paul, I'm an Anabaptift, or a Jew, or what you pleafe to call me. L. P. Why is not here Matter of Fact?

Sir Paul. Ay, but by your own Virtue and Continency that matter of Fact is all his own doing.I confess I had a great Defire to have fome Honours conferr'd upon me, which lye all in your Ladyfhips Breaft, and he being a well-fpoken Man, I defired him to intercede for me.

L. P. Did you fo, Prefumption! Oh! he comes, the Tarquin comes; I cannot bear his Sight.

SCENE. XI.

CARELESS, Sir PAUL.

CARELESS.

IR Paul, I'm glad I've met with you, 'gad I Shave faid all I could, but can't prevail

Then

my Friendship to you has carry'd me a little farther in this Matter

Sir Paul. Indeed-Well Sir I'll diffemble with him a little.

[Afide. Care. Why faith I have in my Time known honeft Gentlemen abufed by a pretended Coynefs in their Wives, and I had a Mind to try my Ladys Virtue And when I could not prevail for you, 'gad I pretended to be in Love my felf but all in vain, fhe would not heara Word upon that Subject: Then I writ a Letter to her; I don't know what Effects that will have, but I'll be fure to tell you when I do; tho' by this Light I believe her Virtue is impreg

nable.

Sir Paul. O Providence! Providence! What Difcoveries are here made? Why, this is better and more miraculous than the rest.

Care. What do you mean?

Sir Paul. I can't tell you, I'm fo overjoy'd; come along with me to my Lady; I can't contain my felf; come my dear Fiend.

Care. So, fo, fo, this Difficulty's over.

[Afide.

SCE

Maskwell! I have been looking for you

'tis within a Quarter of Eight.

Mask. My Lady is juft gone into my Lords Clofet, you had beft fteal into her Chamber before fhe comes, and lye concealed there, otherwife fhe may lock the Door when we are together, and you not easily get in to furprize us.

Mel. He You fay true.

Mask. You had beft make hafte, for after the has made fome Apology to the Company for her own, and my Lords Abfence all this while, fhe'll retire to her Chamber inftantly.

I

Mel. I go this Moment. Now Fortune I defie thee.

SCENE

XIII.

MASKWELL, alone.

Confefs be allow'd to be fecure in your you may own Opinion; the Appearance is very fair; but I have an After-Game to play that fhall turn the Tables; and here comes the Man that I must manage.

SCE

* 3 3 3 3 3❀❀❀❀❀❀ SCENE XIV.

[To him] Lord TOUCHWOOD.

Ld. To u CH WOOD.

MAskwell, you are the Man I wish'd to meet.

Mask. I am happy to be in the way of your Lordships Commands.

Ld. Touch. I have always found you prudent and careful in any thing that has concern'd me or my Family.

Mask. I were a Villain elfe -I am bound by Duty and Gratitude, and my own Inclination, to be ever your Lordships Servant.

I

Ld. Touch. Enough You are my Friend know it: Yet there has been a thing in your Knowledge, which has concern'd me nearly, that you have conceal'd from me.

Mask. My Lord!

Ld. Touch. Nay, I excufe your Friendship to my But I know you unnatural Nephew thus far have been privy to his impious Defigns upon my Wife. This Ev'ning the has told me all. Her good Nature conceal'd it as long as was poffible; but he perfeveres fo in Villany, that he has told me even you were weary of diffuading him, though you have once actually hindered him from forcing her.

Mask. I am forry, my Lord, I can't make you an Anfwer; this is an Occafion in which I would not willingly be filent.

Ld. Touch. I know you would excufe him And I know as well that you can't.

Mask. Indeed I was in Hopes t'had been a youth

ful

ful Heat that might have foon boil'd over: but Ld. Touch. Say on.

Mask. I have nothing more to fay, my LordBut to express my Concern; for I think his Frenzy increases daily.

Ld. Touch, How! Give me but Proof of it, Dcular Proof, that I may juftifie my Dealing with him to the World, and share my Fortunes.

Mask. O my Lord! confider that is hard: Befides, time may work upon him: : Then, for me to do it! I have profefs'd an everlafting Friendship to him.

Ld. Touch. He is your Friend, and what am I?
Mask. I am answered.

4

L. Touch. Fear not his Displeasure; I will put you out of his, and Fortunes Power; and for that thou art fcrupulously honeft, I will fecure thy Fidelity to him, and give my Honour never to own any Discovery that you fhall make me. Can you give me a demonftrative Proof? Speak. Mask. I wish I could notTo be plain, my Lord, I intended this Ev'ning to have try'd al Arguments to diffuade him from a Defign, which I fufpect; and if I had not fucceeded, to have informed your Lordship of what I knew.

Ld. Touch. I thank you. What is the Villains Purpose?

Mask. He has own'd nothing to me of late, and what I mean now, is only a bare Sufpicion of my ‹ own. If your Lordship will meet me a Quarter of an Hour hence there, in that Lobby by my Ladys Bed-Chamber; fhall be able to tell you more.

Ld. Touch. I will.

Mask. My Duty to your Lordship, makes me do a fevere Piece of Juftice..

Ld. Touch. I will be fecret, and reward your Honefty beyond your Hopes.

SCE