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Vio. And what you call the brightest passage of my life is not the least glorious part of yours.

[Crosses to R.

Fel. Ha, ha! don't put yourself in a passion, madam; for, I assure you, after this day, I shall give you no trouble. You may meet your sparks on the Terriero de Passa at four in the morning, without the least regard to me,-for when I quit your chamber, the world sha'nt bring me back.

Vio. I am so well pleased with your resolution, I don't care how soon you take your leave. But what you mean by the Terriero de Passa at four in the morning, I can't guess.

Fel. (L.) No, no, no! not you. You were not upon the Terriero de Passa at four this morning!

Vio. (c.) No, I was not; but if I were, I hope I may walk where I please, and at what hour I please, without [Goes, R. asking your leave?

Fel. (c.) Oh, doubtless, madam!-and you might meet Colonel Briton there, and afterwards send your emissary to fetch him to your house-and, upon your father's coming in, thrust him into your bed-chamberwithout asking my leave! [She goes, R.] 'Tis no business of mine, if you are exposed among all the footmen in town-nay, if they ballad you, and cry you about at a half-penny a-piece-they may without my leave!

Vio. (R.) Audacious !-don't provoke me-don't: my reputation is not to be sported with [Going up to him.] at this rate-no, sir, it is not. [Bursting into tears.] Inhuman Felix! [Sits, R. c.] Oh, Isabella! what a [Aside. train of ills hast thou brought on me

Fel. Ha! I cannot bear to see her weep-a woman's tears are far more fatal than our swords.-[Aside.]—Oh, Violante !-'Sdeath! what a dog am I! Now have I no power to stir.-Dost not thou know such a person as Colonel Briton? Pr'ythee, tell me-[Going to her.]— Didst thou not meet him at four this morning upon the Terriero de Passa?

Vio. Were it not to clear my fame, I would not answer thee, thou black ingrate !-but I cannot bear to be reproached with what I even blush to think of, much less to act. By heaven! I have not seen the Terriero de Passa this day.

Fel. [Standing on her L.] Did not a Scotch footman attack you in the street neither, Violante?

Vio. Yes-but he mistook me for another-cr he was drunk, I knew not which.

Fel. And do not you know this Scotch colonel ?

Vio. Pray ask me no more questions: this night shall clear my reputation, and leave you without excuse for your base suspicions. More than this, I shall not satisfy you therefore, pray leave me.

Fel. Didst thou ever love me, Violante?

Vio. I'll answer nothing- -You was in haste to be gone just now; I should be very well pleased to be alone, sir. [She sits down near R. D., and turns aside. Fel. I shall not interrupt your contemplation.- Stubborn to the last.

[Aside. Vio. Did ever woman involve herself as I have done! Fel. (L. C.) Now would I give one of my eyes to be friends with her, for something whispers to my soul she is not guilty.-[He pauses, then takes a chair, and sits by her at a little distance, looking at her some time without speaking, then draws a little nearer to her.]-Give me your hand at parting, however, Violante, won't you[He lays his hand upon her knee several times] won't you -won't you-won't you?

Vio. [Half regarding him.] Won't I do what? Fel. You know what I would have, Violante.-Oh, my heart!

Vio. [Smiling.] I thought my chains were easily broke. [Lays her hand into his.

Fel. [Draws his chair close to her, and kisses her hand in a rapture.] Too well thou knowest thy strength.Oh, my charming angel! my heart is all thy own. For give my hasty passion-'tis the transport of a love sincere. Oh, Violante! Violante !

Pedro. [Within, L.] Bid Sancho get a new wheel to my chariot presently.

Vio. Bless me, my father returned; what shall we do now, Felix? We are ruined past redemption.

Fel. No, no, no, my love, I can leap from the closet window. [Runs to the door where Isabella is, who claps to the door, and bolts it withinside.] Confusion! somebody bolts the door withinside. Oh, Violante! hast thou again sacrificed me to my rival? [Draws.

Vio. By Heaven, thou hast no rival in my heart! Let that suffice. Nay, sure, you will not let my father find you here-Distraction!

Fel. Indeed but I shall-unless you command this

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door to be opened, and that way conceal me from his sight. [He struggles with her to come at the door. Vio. Hear me, Felix-though I were sure the refusing what you ask would separate us for ever, by all that's powerful you shall not enter here. Either you do love me, or you do not convince me by your obedience.

Fel. That's not the matter in debate-I will know who is in this closet, let the consequence be what it will. Nay, nay, you strive in vain-I will go in.

Vio. You shall not go

Fel. I will go in.

Enter DON PEDRO, L.

Ped. (L.) Hey-day! what's here to do? I will go in, and you sha'n't go in-and I will go in. Why, who are you, sir.

Fel. (R.) 'Sdeath! what shall I say now?

Ped. Don Felix! Pray, what's your business in my house-ha, sir?

Vio. Oh, sir! what miracle returned you home so soon? Some angel 'twas that brought my father back, to succour the distressed. This ruffian, he-I cannot call him gentleman-has committed such an uncommon rudeness, as the most profligate wretch would be ashamed

to own.

Fel. [Amazed.] What does she mean?

[Aside.

Vio. As I was at my devotion in my closet, I heard a loud knocking at my door, mixed with a woman's voice, which seemed to imply she was in danger. I flew to the door with the utmost speed, where a lady, veiled, rushed in upon me; who, falling on her knees, begged my protection from a gentleman who, she said, pursued her. I took compassion on her tears, and locked her into this closet; but in the surprise, having left open the door, this very person, whom you see with his sword drawn, ran in, protesting, if I did not give her up to his revenge, he'd force the door.

Fel. What the devil does she mean to do? hang me? [Aside Vio. I strove with him till I was out of breath, anc had you not come as you did, he must have entered. But he's in drink, I suppose; or he could not have been guilty of such an indecorum. [Leering at Felix

Ped. (L. C.) I am amazed!

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Fel. The devil never failed a woman at a pinch :

what a tale has she formed in a minute! In drink quotha! a good hint: I'll lay hold on't to bring myself off. [Aside.

Ped. Fie, Don Felix? No sooner rid of one broil, but you are commencing another! To assault a lady with a naked sword derogates much from the character of a gentleman, I assure you.

Fel. [Counterfeits drunkenness.] Who, I assault a lady- upon honour, the lady assaulted me, sir, and would have seized this body politic on the king's highway. Let her come out, and deny it if she can. Pray, sir, command the door to be opened; and let her prove me a liar, if she knows how.

Ped. Ay, ay! open the door, Violante, and let the lady come out. Come, I warrant thee he sha'nt hurt her.

Fel. No, no, I won't hurt the dear creature. Now, now, which way will you come off, now?

[Aside. Vio. [Unlocks the door.] Come forth, madam! None shall dare to touch your veil-I'll convey you out with safety, or lose my life. I hope she understands me

[Aside.

Enter ISABELLA veiled, and crosses the stage to L.

Isab. Excellent girl!

Fel. The devil! a woman! I'll see she be really so.

[Exit. [Aside.

Vio. [To Felix, R.] Get clear of my father, and follow me to the Terriero de Passa, where all mistakes shall be rectified. [Exit, with Isabella; Don Felix offers to follow her.

Ped. (c.) [Drawing his sword.] Not a step, sir, till the lady is past your recovery! I never suffer the laws of hospitality to be violated in my house, sir. I'll keep Don Felix here, till you see her safe out, Violante. Come, sir, you and I will take a pipe and a bottle together.

Fel. Damn your pipe, and damn your bottle!-I hate drinking and smoking, and how will you help yourself, old blue bottle?

Ped. As to smoking or drinking, you have your liberty; but you shall stay, sir!

Fel. But I won't stay, sir-for I don't like your company; besides, I have the best reasons in the world for my not staying.

Ped. Ay, what's that?

Fel. Why, I'm going to be married-and so good b'ye. Ped. To be married-it can't be. Why, you are drunk, Felix !

Fel. Drunk! ay, to be sure; you don't think I'd go to be married if I were sober; but, drunk or sober, I am going to be married; and if you won't believe me, to convince you, I'll show you the contract, old gentleman. Ped. Ay, do; come, let's see this contract, then. Fel. Yes, yes, I'll show you the contract.-Here, sirhere's the contract. [Draws a pistol. Ped. [Starting.] Well, well, I'm convinced-go, gopray go and be married, sir.

Fel. Yes, yes-I'll go-I'll go and be married; but sha'n't we take a bottle first?

Ped. No, no; pray, dear sir, go and be married.

Fel. Very well-very well! [Going.] But I insist upon your taking one glass, though.

Ped. No, not now-some other time-consider, the lady waits.

Fel. What a cross old fool!-first he will, and then he won't-and then he will, and then he won't? [Exit, L.

Enter SANCHO, L.

San. Don Lopez de Pimentello is in the next room, signior.

Ped. What the devil does he want? he is not going to be married, too!-Bring him up-he's in pursuit of his son, I suppose ! [Exit Sancho, L.

Enter DON LOPEZ, L.

Lop. (L.) I am glad to find you at home, Don Pedro: I was told that you were going into the country this afternoon.

Ped. (c.) That might be, my lord; but I had the misfortune to break the wheel of my chariot, which obliged me to return. What is your pleasure with me, my lord?

Lop. I am informed that my daughter is in your house.

Ped. That's more than I know, my lord: but here was your son, just now, as drunk as an emperor.

Lop. My son drunk! I never saw him in drink in my life. Where is he, pray, sir?

Ped. Gone to be married.

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