landed on my native shore" (returned from transportation, no doubt.) Sparr. Proceed, sir, O'Blar. "I shall snatch the first opportunity of taking you by the hand, and am, as ever, your affectionate nephew, Christopher Careless.” Sparr. Confusion ! Just. F. Hey, how, Careless? Zounds, sir, will you explain this? Carel. I am the person whose name is subscribed to that letter, and your graceless nephew. Just. F. Graceless? why zounds, have you, for want of other amusement, been committing a robbery? Carel. Hold sir-perhaps your friend there, upon recollection Sparr. Why now I look again, I profess I have my doubts; tho' he certainly answers in some particulars, my conscience won't suffer me to swear positively to him. O'Blar. No? Carel. Then mine will- I am the man O'Blar. To be sure you are. Carel. You were perfectly right as to my person, but I believe made a small mistake in my name: this is the gentleınan you mistook me for. Just. F. And who the devil's that? Carel. Son and heir to your friend, the late Mr. Constant. Just. F. Why he never had but one son, and he Carel. Died in India, so it was reported — which report he has ever since kept alive, the better to watch and frustrate the artifices of a scoundrel. Just. F. But what proof have you? Carel. There stands one evidence of the fact (pointing to SPARROWHAWKE) who would convince any twelve men in Europe. Soph. Should there want a second- I can prove the having carried on a correspondence with Captain Constant for these five years. Just. F. Can you? I wish I had found it out. Carel. This added to my knowledge of the fact, and his servant's evidence Sparr. Proof enough, I confess.-Captain Constant, as it has never been my practice to persevere in a bad cause, I am ready to confess you are alive; and as I require nothing more than justice, as all I want is common honesty, (They all laugh.) I am ready to come to a fair account with you whenever you please. Cons. I shall take an early opportunity, sir. Sparr. You will find me ready. There may yet be some means to prevent him. O'Blar. Sir. (Going.) (TO SPARROWHAWKE.) Sparr. Well. O'Blar. As it has lately been the annual custom, I would just wish to know whether you would have the bells set a ringing this evening. Sparr. You may hang yourself in the ropes. [Exit. Just. F. So there has been no robbery after all? O'Blar. No robbery! but still there ought to be a reward. Carel. A mere invention, sir. Just. F. Captain Constant, give me your hand; you have been some time in India-I don't mean to ask any impertinent questions, but young men don't go to India for nothing. O'Blar. Faith, nor young women neither. Just. F. If you still hold your mind to my daughter, my blessing, and a snug sum sha'nt be wanting. Cons. Here, then, I embark my sum of future happiness. (Takes SOPHIA's hand.) One thing still remains to be done, to reward the honest host. Stur. Nay, sir, I look for no reward. services of our Cons. Therefore the more deserve it; and that you may never henceforth incur the oppression of an unfeeling landlord, the farm you occupy is your own. Stur. This generosity? Cons. No thanks; I will have it so. Just. F. Why this is well, this is as it should be; after turning away Robin the butler, I shall be perfectly easy again. O, my conscience! I think the perplexities of the evening would make a tolerable play, but that we must submit to the judgment of our friends. FINALE. Hence with wrinkled care and sorrow, See to bless this happy meeting, |