Alg. (L.) Ha, his son! Here's five hundred pistoles good, my brethren, if Antonio dies; and that's in the surgeon's power, and he's in love with my daughter, you know; so seize upon him.

Lop. Hold, hold! Oh that I ever was born!

Fred. Did I not tell you, you would repent, my lord? What, hoa! within there!

Enter SERVANTS, r.

Arm yourselves, and let not a man in or out, but Felix. Fel. Generous Frederick ?

Fred. Look ye, alguazil, when you would betray my friend, for filthy lucre, I shall no more regard you as an officer of justice, but, as a thief and robber, thus resist you.

Fel. Come on, sir, we'll show you play for the five hundred pistoles. [They fight. Lop. [Înterposing.] Hold, hold, Alguazil; I'll give you the five hundred pistoles-that is, my bond to pay upon Antonio's death, and twenty pistoles, however things go, for you and these honest fellows to drink my health.

Alg. Say you so, my lord? Why, look ye, my lord, I bear the young gentleman no ill-will, my lord. If I get but the five hundred pistoles, my lord-why, look ye, my lord, 'tis the same thing to me whether your son be hanged or not, my lord.

Fel. Scoundrels!

Lop. Ay, well, thou art a good-natured fellow, that's the truth on't.-Come, then, we'll away, and sign and seal this minute. Oh, Felix! why wouldst thou serve me thus? But I cannot upbraid thee now, nor have I time to talk. Be careful of thyself, or thou wilt break my heart. [Exeunt Lopez, Alguazil, and Attendants, L. Fel. (L. c.) Now, Frederick, though I ought to thank you for your care of me, yet, till I am satisfied as to my father's accusation (for I overheard it all), I cannot return the acknowledgments I owe you. Know you aught relating to my sister?

Fred. (c.) I hope my faith and truth are known to you; and here by both I swear, I am ignorant of every thing relating to your father's charge.

Fel. Enough, I do believe thee. (c.) Oh, fortune! where will thy malice end?

Enter VASQUEZ, L.

Vasq. (L.) Sir, I bring you joyful news.

Fel. What's the matter?

Vasq. I am told that Don Antonio is out of danger, and now in the palace.

Fel. I wish it be true; then I'm at liberty to watch my rival, and pursue my sister. Pr'ythee, Frederick, inform thyself of the truth of this report.

Fred. I will, this minute. in to Don Felix till my return. Vasq. I'll observe, sir.

Do you hear? let nobody

[Exit, L.

Flora. [Peeping, M. D.] They have almost frighted me out of my wits, I'm sure-Now Felix is alone, I have a good mind to pretend I came with a message from my lady; but how, then, shall I say I came into the cupboard?

Vasq. [Within.] I tell you, madam, Don Felix is not

here.

Vio. [Within.] I tell you, sir, he is here, and I will see him.

Fel. (R.) What noise is that?

Flora. [From the Closet.] My stars! my lady here! [Shuts the Press close,

Enter VIOLANTE, L.

Vio. You are as difficult of access, sir, as a first minister of state.

Fel. If your visit was designed for Frederick, madam, he is abroad.

Vio. (L, C.) No, sir, the visit is to you.

Fel. You are very punctual in your ceremonies, madam.

Vio. (R. C.) Though I did not come to return your visit, but to take that which your civility ought to have brought me.

Fel. If my eyes, my ears, and my understanding lied, then I am in your debt; else not, madam.

Vio. I will not charge them with a term so gross to say they lied; but call it a mistake-nay, call it any thing to excuse my Felix. Could I, think ye-could I put off my pride so far, poorly to dissemble a passion which I did not feel, or seek a reconciliation with what I did not love? And no law, whilst single, binds us to obey; (c.) but your sex are, by nature and education, obliged to pay a deference to all womankind.

Fel. These are fruitless arguments. "Tis most certain thou wert dearer to these eyes than all that Heaven e'er gave to charm the sense of man; but I would rather tear them out, than suffer them to delude my reason and enslave my peace. [Walks about.

Vio. Can you love without esteem? and where is the esteem for her you still suspect ?-O, Felix ! there is a delicacy in love which equals even a religious faith.! True love never doubts the object it adores, and sceptics there will disbelieve their sight.

Fel. Your notions are too refined for mine, madam.

Enter VASQUEZ,

How now, sirrah! what do you want?

Vasq. Only my master's cloak out of this press, sir, that's all.

Fel. Make haste, then.

Vasq. [Opens the Press, (M. D.) sees Flora, and roars out.] Oh, the devil! the devil!

[Exit, L.

Flora. Discovered! nay, then, legs befriend me.

[Runs out.

Vio. Ah! a woman concealed! very well, Felix.
Fel. A woman in the press!

Enter LISSARDO, L. s. e.

Liss. (L.) Sir, the horses are

Fel. (c.) How the devil came a woman there, sirrah? Liss. What shall I say now?

Vio. (c.) Now, Lissardo, show your wit to bring your master off.

Liss. Off, madam?

Nay, nay, nay, there-there needs no great wit to-to-to bring him off, madam: for she did come

Fel. She did come!

Liss. That is, she did not come, as-as-as-a-a a man may say directly to-to-to-to speak with my master, madam.

Vio. I see by your stammering, Lissardo, that your invention is at a very low ebb.

Fel 'Sdeath, rascal! speak without hesitation, and the truth too, or I shall stick my spado in your guts. Vio. No, no, your master mistakes; he would not have you speak the truth.

Fel. Madam, my sincerity wants no excuse.

Liss. [Retiring up the Stage.] I am so confounded between one and the other, that I cannot think of a lie.

D

Fel. Sirrah, fetch me this woman back iustantly-I'll know what business she has here.

Vio. Not a step; your master shall not be put to the blush. Come, a truce, Felix; do you ask me no more questions about the window, and I'll forgive this.

Fel. Madam, I scorn forgiveness, where I own no crime; but your soul, conscious of its guilt, would fain lay hold of this occasion to blend your treason with my innocence.

Vio. Insolent! Nay, if instead of owning your fault, you endeavour to insult my patience, I must tell you, sir, you don't behave yourself like that man of honour you would be taken for-you ground your quarrel with me upon your own inconstancy; 'tis plain you are false yourself, and would make me the agressor.-It was not for nothing the fellow opposed my entrance; this last usage has given me back my liberty, and now my father's will shall be obeyed without the least reluctance; [With a stern formality] and so your servant.

[Exit, L.

Fel. Oh, stubborn, stubborn heart! what wilt thou do? Her father's will shall be obeyed!-Ha! that carries her to a cloister, and cuts off all my hopes at once !-By Heaven she shall not, must not leave me !No, she is not false.-Ha, villain! art thou here? [To Lissardo, who is going, L.] Tell me this moment who this woman was, and for what intent she was here concealed, or

Liss. [Turns back.] Ah, good sir, forgive me, and I'll tell you the whole truth. [Falls on his knees.

Fel. Out with it, then.

woman.

Liss. It-it-it was Flora, sir, Donna Violante's You must know, sir, we have had a sneaking kindness for one another a great while; she was not willing you should know it; so, when she heard your voice, she ran into the clothes-press. I would have told you this at first, but I was afraid of her lady's knowing it. This is the whole truth, as I hope for a whole skin, sir.

Fel. If it be not, I'll not leave you a whole bone in it, sirrah.-Fly, [Liss. rises.] and observe if Violante goes directly home.

Liss. Yes, sir, yes.

Fel. Fly, you dog, fly. [Exit Lissardo, L.] I must

convince her of my faith. Oh, how irresolute is à lover's heart!-how absolute a woman's power!

In vain we strive their tyranny to quit,

In vain we struggle, for we must submit. [Exit, L.

SCENE III.-The Terriero de Passa.

Enter COLONEL BRITON, and ISABELLA veiled.-GIBBY at a distance, R.

Col. B. (R.) Then you say it is impossible for me to wait on you at home, madam?

Isub. (R.) I say it is inconsistent with my circumstances, Colonel-and that way impossible for me to admit of it.

Col. B. Consent to go with me, then-I lodge at one Don Frederick's, a merchant, just by here; he is a very honest fellow, and I dare confide in his secrecy.

Isab. Ha! does he lodge there ?-'Pray Heaven I am not discovered!

[Aside. Col. B. What say you, my charmer?-shall we breakfast together?-I have some of the best tea in the universe.

Isab. Puh! Tea! Is that the best treat you can give a lady at your lodgings, colonel ?

Col. B. Well hinted—No, no, no, I have other things at thy service, child.

Isab. What are those things, pray?

Col. B. (R. C.) My heart, soul, and body, into the bargain.

Isab. (R. C.) Has the last no incumbrance upon it? Can you make a clear title, colonel ?

Col. B. All freehold, child, and I'll afford thee a very good bargain. [Embraces her. Gibby. O' my saul, they mak muckle words about it -Ise sare weary with standing, Ise e'en tak a sleep. [Lies down to sleep.

Isab. If I take a lease, it must be for life, colonel. Col. B. Thou shalt have me as long, or as little time as thou wilt, my dear. Come, let's to my lodgings, and we'll sign and seal this minute.

Isab. Oh, not so fast, colonel; there are many things to be adjusted before the lawyer and the parson

come,

Col. B. The lawyer and parson !-No, no, you little