me in particular.-But that is not all-I have lately found you thoughtful, absent, and disturbed plain with me-has not somebody been happy enough to please you? little fantastical, loves to hear himself talk, and Har. But if I can find one without these faults, 1 may surely please myself. Lucy. Without these faults! and is he young, Miss! Har. He is sensible, modest, polite, affable, and generous; and charms from the natural impulses of his own heart, as much as others disgust by their senseless airs and insolent affectation. Lucy. Upon my word!-but why have you kept this a secret so long? Your guardian is kind to you beyond conception.-What difficulties can you have to overcome? Har. Why, the difficulty of declaring my sentiments. Lucy. Leave that to me, Miss.-But your spark, with all his accomplishments, must have very little penetration not to have discovered his good fortune in your eyes. Har. I take care that my eyes don't tell too much; and he has too much delicacy to interpret looks to his advantage. Besides he would certainly disapprove my passion; and if I should ever make the declaration, and meet with a denial, I should absolutely die with shame. Lucy. I'll insure your life for a silver thimble.But what can possibly hinder your coming toge ther? Har. His excess of merit. Lucy. His excess of a fiddlestick!-But come, I'll put you in the way-you shall trust me with the secret-I'll entrust it again to half a dozen friends; they shall entrust it to half a dozen more; by which means it will travel half the world over in a week's time: the gentleman will certainly hear of it, and then if he is not at your feet in the fetching of a sigh, I'll give up all my perquisites at your wedding.—What is his name, Miss? Har. I cannot tell you his name-indeed I cannot I am afraid of being thought too singular. But why should I be ashamed of my passion? Is the impression which a virtuous character makes upon our hearts such a weakness that it may not be excused? Lucy. By my faith, Miss, I can't understand you you are afraid of being thought singular, and you really are so.-I would sooner renounce all the passions in the universe, than have one in my bosom beating and fluttering itself to pieces. Re-enter HEARTLY. Heart. Leave us, Lucy. Lucy. There's something going forward-'tis very hard I can't be of the party. [Aside, exit. Heart. She certainly thinks, from the character of the young man, that I shall disapprove of her choice. [Aside. Har. What can I possibly say to him? I am as much ashamed to make the declaration, as he would be to understand it. [Aside, Heart. Don't imagine that I would know more of your thoughts than you desire I should; but the tender care which I have ever shown, and the sincere friendship which I shall always have for you, give me a right to inquire into every thing that concerns you. Some friends have spoken to Hor. I cannot deny it, Sir-yes-somebody indeed has pleased me.-But I must entreat you not to give credit to any idle stories, or inquire further into the particulars of my inclination; for I cannot possibly have resolution enough to say more to you. Heart. But have you made a choice my dear? Har. I have, in my own mind, Sir, and 'tis impossible to make a better;-reason, honour, every thing must approve it. Heart. And how long have you conceived this passion? Har. Ever since I left the country to live with you. [Sighs. Heart. I see your confusion, and will relieve you from it immediately-I am informed of the wholeHar. Sir! Heart. Don't be uneasy, for I can with pleasure assure you that your passion is returned with equal tenderness." Har. If you are not deceived-I cannot be more happy. Heart. I think I am not deceived; but after the declaration you have made, and the assurances which I have given you, why will you conceal it any longer? Have I not deserved a little more confidence from you? Har. You have indeed deserved it, and should certainly have it, were I not well assured that you would oppose my inclinations. Heart. I oppose 'em! Am I then so unkind to you, my dear Harriot-Can you in the least doubt of my affection for you!-I promise you that I have no will but yours. Har. Since you desire it then, I will endeavour to explain myself. Heart. I am all attention-speak. Har. And if I do, I feel I shall never be able to speak to you again. Heart. I see your delicacy is hurt: but let me entreat you once more to confide in me.- -Teil me his name, and the next moment I will go to him, and assure him that my consent shall confirm both your happiness. Har. You will easily find him.-And when you have, pray tell him how improper it is for a young woman to speak first-persuade him to spare my blushes, and to release me from so terrible a situation.-I shall leave him with you-and hope that this declaration will make it impossible for you to mistake me any longer [Going. Enter YOUNG CLACKIT.--HARRIOT remains on the Stage. Heart. Are we not alone? what can this mean? gether. Young C. By your leave, Mr. Heartly- barns her head and winks at me.-How the devil am I to interpret all this? Har. I wink at you, Sir!-Did I, Sir? Young C. Yes, you, my angel-but muinMr. Heartly, for heaven's sake, what is all this? Speak, I conjure you, is it life or death with me? Har. What a dreadful situation I am in! Young C. Hope for the best.-I'll bring matters about, I warrant you. Young C. Come, come, I know what I know-Har. Don't make yourself ridiculous, Mr. Clackit. Young C. Don't you make yourself miserable, Miss Harriot? Har. I am only so when you persist to torment me. Young C. And you really believe that you don't love me? [Smiles. Har. Positively not. Heart. Miss Harriot's will is a law to me; and for you, Sir-the friendship which I have ever professed for your uncle is too sincere not to ex-you hate me? ert some of it on this occasion. [Aside. Har. I shall die with confusion! Young C. I am alive again.-Dear Mr. Heartly, thou art a most adorable creature! What a happiness it is to have to do with a man of sense, who has no foolish prejudices, and can see when a young fellow has something tolerable about him! Heart. Sir, not to flatter you, I must declare that it is from a knowledge of your friends and family, that I have hopes of seeing you and this young lady happy. I will go directly to your uncle, and assure him that every thing goes on to our wishes.—— [Going Har. Mr. Heartly-pray, Sir! Heart. Poor Harriot, I see your distress, and am sorry for it; but it must be got over, and the sooner the better.-Mr. Clackit, my dear, will be glad of an opportunity to entertain you for the little time that I shall be absent. Poor Miss Har riot! Young C. And you are very sure now that [Conceitedly. Har. Oh! most cordially. Young C. Poor young lady! I do pity you from my soul. Har. Then why don't you leave me? But let concealment, like a wormi' th' bud, Take warning, Miss, when you once begin to pine in thought, 'tis all over with you; and be assured, since you are obstinately bent to give yourself airs, that if you once suffer me to leave this house in a pet-Do you mind me ?--not all your sighing, whining, fits, vapours, and hyster s, shall ever move me to take the least compassion on you-Coute qu'il coute. Re-enter HEARTLY and Sir CHARLES CLACKIT. Sir C. There they are, the pretty doves! That is the age, neighbour Heartly, for happi[Smiles; Exit.ness and pleasure. Young C. Allez, allez, monsieur!-I'll answer for that.-Well, Ma'am, I think every thing succeeds to our wishes.-Be sincere, my adorable-Don't you think yourself a very happy young lady? Har. I shall be most particularly obliged to you, Sir, if you would inform me what is the meaning of all this. Young C. Inform you, Miss ?-The matter, I believe, is pretty clear:-our friends have understandings we have affections-and a marriage follows of course. Har. Marriage, Sir! Pray what relation or particular connection is there between you and me, Sir? Young C. I may be deceived, faith;-but upon my honour, I always supposed that there was a little smattering of inclination between us. Har. And have you spoke to my guardian upon this supposition, Sir? Young C. And are you angry at it?-I believe not. Har. Indeed, Sir, this behaviour of yours is most extraordinary. Young C. Upon my soul this is very droll.What! has not your guardian been here this moment, and expressed all imaginable pleasure at our intended union? Har. He is in an error, Sir:-and had I not been too much astonished at your behaviour, I had undeceived him long before now. Young C. [Hums a tune.] But pray, Miss, what can be your intention in raising all this confusion in the family, and opposing your own inclinations? Har. Opposing my own inclinations, Sir? Young C Ay, opposing your own inclinations, Madam. Har. Be assured, Sir, I never in my life had the least thought about you. Heart. I am willing, you see, to lose no time, which may convince you, Sir Charles, how proud I am of this alliance in our families. Sir C. 'Gad, I will send for the fiddles, and take a dance myself, and a fig for the gout and rheumatism But hold, hold-the lovers methinks are a little out of humour with each other. What is the matter, Jack? Not pouting sure before your time? Young C. A trifle, Sir-the lady will tell you. [Hums a tune. Heart. You seem to be troubled, Harriot!--' what can this mean? Har. You have been in an error, Sir, about me;-I did not undeceive you, because I could not imagine that the consequences could have been so serious and so sudden;-but I am now forced to tell you that you have misunderstood me-that you have distressed me. Heart. How, my dear? Sir C. What do you say, Miss? Young C. Mademoiselle is pleased to be out of humour; but I cant blame her; for, upon my honour, I think a little coquetry becomes her. Sir C. Ay, ay, ay-oh, oh-Is that all? These little squalls seldom overset the lover's boat, but drive it the faster to port-ay, ay, ay Young C. Talk to her a little, Mr. Heartly. She is a fine lady, and has many virtues; but she does not know the world. Heart. For heaven's sake, Miss Harriot, explain this riddle to me. Har. I cannot, Sir.-I have discovered the weakness of my heart-I have discovered it to you, Sir-but your unkind interpretations and reproachful looks convince me that I have already said too much. [Exit; HEARTLY muses. Sir C. Well, but harkye, nephew-this 18 going a little too far-What have you done to her ? Heart. I never saw her so agitated before. Young C. Upon my soul, gentlemen, I am as much surprised at it as you can be-The little brouillerie between us arose upon her persisting | that there was no passion, no penchant between us. Sir C. I'll tell you what, Jack-There is a certain kind of impudence about you, that I don't approve of. Young C. But what can the lady object to? I have offered to marry her; is not that a proof sufficient that I like her? A young fellow must have some affection that will go such lengths to indulge it. Ha, ha! Sir C. Why really, friend Heartly, I don't see how a young man can well do more, or a lady desire more.- What say you neighbour? Heart. Upon my word, I am puzzled about it -my thoughts upon the matter are so various and so confused.-Every thing I see and hear is so contradictory-is so- -She certainly cannot like any body else! Young C. No, no, I'll answer for that. Heart. Or she may be fearful then that your passion for her is not sincere; or, like other young men of the times, you may grow careless upon marriage, and neglect her. Young C. Ha! 'Egad, you have hit it; nothing but a little natural, delicate sensibility[Hums a tune. Heart. If so, perhaps the violence of her reproaches may proceed from the lukewarmness of your professions. Young C. Je vous demande pardon-I have sworn to her a hundred and a hundred times, that she should be the happiest of her sex.-But there is nothing suprising in all this; it is the misery of an over-fond heart, to be always doubtful of its happiness. Heart. And if she marries thee, I fear that she'll be kept in a state of doubt as long as she lives. [Half aside. Re-enter LUCY. Lucy. Pray, gentlemen, which of you has affronted my mistress? She is in a most prodigious taking yonder, and vows to return into the country again. Young C. Poor thing! Heart. I must inquire further into this; her be. haviour is too particular for me not to be disturb ed at it. defend from every inquietude the most delicate and tender of her sex. Sir C. Most nobly and warmly said, Mr. Heartly.- Go to her, nephew directly,throw yourself at her feet, and swear how much her beauty and virtue have captivated you, and don't let her go till you have set her dear little heart at rest. Young C. Would you have me say the same thing over and over again?-I can't do it positively-It is my turn to be piqued now. Sir C. Damn your conceit, Jack; I can bear it no longer. Heart. I am very sorry to find that any young lady so near and dear to me, should bestow her heart where there is so little prospect of its being valued as it ought. However, I shall not oppose my authority to her inclinations; and soWho waits there? HEARTLY and a SERVANT discovered. Heart. Tell Miss Harriot that I am here.-If she is indisposed, I will wait upon her in her own room. [Exit SERVANT.] However mysterious her conduct appears to me, yet still it is to be deciphered-This young gentleman has certainly touched her-There are some objections to him, and among so many young men of fashion that fall in her way, she certainly might have Lucy. She desires that when she has recovered made a better choice: she has an understanding herself, she may talk with you alone, Sir. to be sensible of this; and, if I am not mistaken, [TO HEARTLY. it is a struggle between her reason and her passion that occasions all this confusion.-But here Heart. I shall with pleasure attend her. [Exit Lucy. she is. Sir C. I would give, old as I am, a leg or an arm to be beloved by that sweet creature as you are, Jack! Young C. And throw your gout and rheumatism into the bargain, uncle ?-Ha, ha, Divine Bacchus. La, la, la, &c. [Sings. Sir C. I wonder what the devil is come to the young fellows of this age, neighbour Heartly Why a fine woman has no effect upon 'em.-Is there no method to make 'em less fond of themselves, and more mindful of the ladies? Heart. Look ye, Mr. Clackit, if Miss Harriot's affections declare for you, she must not be treated with neglect or disdain-Nor could I bear it, Sır. Any man must be proud of her partiality to him; and he must be fashionably insensible indeed, who would not make it his darling care to Enter HARRIOT. Har. I hope you are not angry, Sir, that I left you so abruptly, without making any apology? Heart. I am angry that you think an apology necessary.-The matter we were upon was of such a delicate nature, that I was more pleased with your confusion than I should have been with your excuses. You'll pardon me my dear. Har. I have reflected that the person for whom I have conceived a most tender regard, may, from the wisest motives, doubt of my passion; and therefore I would endeavour to answer all his objections, and convince him how deserving he is of my highest esteem. Heart. I have not yet apprehended what kind of dispute could arise between you and Mr Clackit:-but I would advise you both to come [Aside. Heart. I guess whence proceeds all your uneasiness. You fear that the world will not be so readily convinced of this young gentleman's merit as you are and indeed I could wish him more deserving of you; but your regard for him gives him a merit he otherwise would have wanted, and almost makes me blind to his failings. Har. And would you advise me, Sir, to make choice of this gentleman? Heart. I would advise you, as I always have done, to consult your own heart upon such an oc casion. Har. If that is your advice, I will most religiously follow it; and, for the last time, I am resolved to discover my real sentiments; but as a confession of this kind will not become me, I have been thinking of some innocent stratagem to spare my blushes, and, in part, to relieve me from the shame of a declaration.-Might I be permitted to write to him? Heart. To whom do you write this letter? your infancy: it would be ridiculous. Har. It would indeed:-I own it-It is improper. Heart. Then I'll only finish your letter with the usual compliment and send it away. Har. Yes-send it away--if you think I ought to send it. Heart. [Troubled.] Ought to send it! Who's there? Heart. I think you may my dear, without the least offence to your delicacy: and indeed you ought to explain yourself; your late misunder-RIOT, standing makes it absolutely necessary. Har. Will you be kind enough to assist me?— Will you write it for me, Sir?" Heart. Oh, most willingly!-And as I am made a party it will remove all objections. Har. I will dictate to you in the best manner I am able. [Sighs. Heart. Here is pen, ink, and paper; and now, my dear, I am ready.-He is certainly a man of family, and though he has some little faults, time and your virtues will correct them.-Come, what shall I write? [Prepares to write. Har. Pray give me a moment's thought;-'tis a terrible task, Mr. Heartly. Heart. I know it is.-Don't hurry yourself I shall wait with patience.-Come, Miss Harriot. Har. [Dictating] It is in rain for me to conceal from one of your understanding, the secrets ́ of my heart. Heart. The secrets of my heart. [Writes. Har. Though your humility and modesty will not suffer you to perceive it Enter a Servant. it not for Mr. Clackit? Carry this letter. [An action escapes from HAR- Enter LUCY. Lucy. The conversation is over, and I may appear. [Aside.]—Sir Charles is without, Sir, May he be permitted to see you? and is impatient to know your determination.- Heart I must retire, to conceal my weakness, [Aside; Exit. What is the reason, Miss, that your guardian is Lucy. Upon my word this is very whimsical.-gone away without giving me an answer. Har. What a contempt he must have for me to behave in this manner! [Aside; Exit. Lucy. Extremely well this, and equally foolish on both sides!-But what can be the meaning of it ?-What a shame is this that I don't know favourite of my mistress, and as inquisitive as I more of this matter, a wench of spirit as I am, a ought to be? It is an affront to my character, and I must have satisfaction immediately.-[Going.] Heart. I beg your pardon-Your humility I will go directly to my young mistress, tease her and modesty will not suffer you to perceive it--to death till I am at the bottom of this; and if Heart. Do you think that he is much troubled with those qualities? So. Har. Pray indulge me, Sir. I love. Har. Every thing tells you, that it is you that Heart. Very well. [Writes. Har. Yes-you that I love.-Do you understand me? Heart. O yes, yes-I understand you-that it is you that I love.-This is very plain, my dear. Har. I would have it so.--And though I am already bound in gratitude to you Heart. In gratitude to Mr. Clackit? Heart. Well-in gratitude to you-I must threatening, soothing, scolding, whispering, crying, and lying will not prevail, I will e'en give her warning--and go upon the stage. [Exit. Re-enter HEARTLY. Heart. The more I reflect upon what has passed, the more I am convinced that she did not intend writing to this young fellow.What am I to think of it then?--Had not my reason made a little stand against my presumption, { might have interpreted some of Harriot's words in my own favour; but-Can it be possible that so young a creature should even cast a thought of that kind upon me?-Upon me!--No, no- I will do her and myself the justice to acknow- | as such a choice.-Nay, Sir, I went a little farther ledge, that, for a very few slight appearances, (you'll excuse me,) and told her--“Good God, there are a thousand reasons that destroy so ri-inadam," said I, "why he is old and gouty, asthdiculous a supposition. matic, rheumatic, sciatic, splenetic."--It signified nothing, she had determined. Enter SIR CHARLES CLACKIT. Sir C. Well, Mr. Heartly, what are we to hope for? Heart. Upon my word, Sir, I am still in the dark; we puzzle about indeed, but we don't get forward. Sir C. What the devil is the meaning of all this? There never sure were lovers so difficult to bring together. But have you not been a little too rough with the lady? For as I passed by her but now, she seemed a little out of humourAnd, upon my faith, not the less beautiful for a little pouting. Heart. Upon my word, Sir Charles, what I can collect from her behaviour is, that your nephew is not so much in her good graces as he made you believe. Sir C. 'Egad, like enough;- -But hold, hold; this must be looked a little into-if it is so, I would be glad to know why and wherefore I have been made so ridiculous.-Eh, Master Heartly, does he take me for his fool, his beast, his merry Andrew? By the lord Harry Heart. He is of an age Sir Charles Sir C. Ay, of an age to be very impertinent; but I shall desire him to be less free with his uncle for the future, I assure him. Re-enter Lucy. Lucy. I have it, I have it gentlemen! you need not puzzle any more about the matter-I have got the secret.- -I know the knighterrant that has wounded our distressed lady. Sir C. Well, and who, and what, child? Lucy. What! has she not told you Sir? (To HEARTLY. Heart. Not directly. Lucy. So much the better.--What pleasure it is to discover a secret, and then tell it to all the world-I pressed her so much that she a last confessed. Sir C. Well, what? Sir C. But you need not have told her all that.--It can't be me.-No, no, it can't be me. Lucy. But I tell you it is, Sir. You are the man. Sir C. Say yon so?-Why then, monsieur nephew, I shall have a little laugh with youHa, ha, ha!-Your betters must be served before you.-But here he comes-Not a word, for your life.- -We'll laugh at him most triumphantly-Ha, ha! but mum, mum. Young C. What do you say, Sir? Heart. That the young lady has fixed her affections upon another. Young C. Upon another! -That is English, Sir; and you my translate it into French, if you like it better. Young C. Very well, Sir, extremely well. Sir C. And that other, Sir, is one to whom you owe great respect. Young C. I am his most respectful humble ser vant. Sir C. You are a fine youth, my sweet nephew, to tell me a story of a cock and a bull, of you and the young lady, when you have no more interest in her than the czar of Muscovy. Young C. [Smiles.] But, my dear uncle, don't carry this jest too far-I shall begin to be uneasy: but whoever my precious rival is, he must prepare himself for a little humility; for, be he ever so mighty, my dear uncle, I have that in Lucy. That, in the first place, she did not like my pocket will lower his topsails for him. your nephew. Sir C. And I told the puppy so. Lucy. That she had a most mortal antipathy for the young men of this age; and that she had settled her affections upon one of riper years, and riper understanding. Sir C. Indeed! Lucy. And that she expected from a lover in his autumn more affection, more complaisance, more constancy, and discretion, of course. Heart. This is very particular. Sir C. Ay, but it is very prudent for all that. Lucy. In short, as she had openly declared against the nephew, I took upon me to speak of his uncle. Sir C. Of me, child? Lucy. Yes, of you, Sir;-And she did not say me nay- -But cast such a look, and fetched such a sigh-that if ever I looked and sighed in my life, I know how it is with her. Sir C. What the devil!--Why surely-Eh, Lucy! You joke for certain-Mr. Heartly-Eh! Lucy. Indeed I do not, Sir.-'Twas in vain for me to say that nothing could be so ridiculous [Searching his pocket. Sir C. Well, what's that? Young C. A fourteen pounder only, my good uncle-A letter from the young lady. [Takes it out of his pocket. Sir C. What! to you? Young C. To me, Sir-This moment received, and overflowing with the tenderest senti ments. Sir C. To you? -She re Young C. Most undoubtedly.proaches me with my excessive modesty--there can be no mistake. Sir C. What letter is this he chatters about? Sir C. What! sent by her to him? Sir C. Well, but then- -Flow the devil-What becomes of your Lucy. I don't understand it. |