Miss R. Sir-Mr. Belcour-Was it your pleasure to advance any thing? Not a syllable. Come, Louisa, woman's wit, they say, is never at a loss-Nor you neither?-Speechless both Bel. Say you so, Madam! then let me perish-Why, you was merry enough before this lady if I don't love and reverence you above all womankind; and, if such is your generous resolution, never wait till you are of age; life is too short, pleasure too fugitive; the soul grows narrower every hour. I'll equip you

Charles. Has he made any professions to you?

Lou. He has; but altogether in a style so whimsical and capricious, that the best which can be said of them is to tell you, that they seemed more the result of good spirits than good manners.

Miss R. Ay, ay, now the murder's out: he's in love with her, and she has no very great dislike to him; trust to my observations, Charles, for that: as to the diamonds, there's some mistake about them, and you must clear it up : three minutes' conversation with him will put every thing in a right train: go, go, Charles, 'tis a brother's business; about it instantly; ten to one you'll find him over the way, at Mr. | Stockwell's.

Charles. I confess I'm impatient to have the case cleared up; I'll take your advice, and find him out: good bye to you.

Miss R. Your servant : my life upon it, you'll find Belcour a man of honour. . Come, Louisa, let us adjourn to my dressing-room; I've a little private business to transact with you, before the old lady comes up to tea, and interrupts us. [Exeunt.

ty; and when you see my generous Charlotte, tell her but have a care, there is a selfishness even in gratitude, when it is too profuse; to be over-thankful for any one favour, is in effect to lay out for another; the best return I could make my benefactress would be, never to see her more.

Lou. I understand you.

you would do a gallant action to that lady,
don't let it be at my expense.

Bel. I see where she points: she is willing
enough to give up Miss Rusport's diamonds,
now she finds she shall be a gainer by the ex-
change. Be it so! 'tis what I wished.-Well,
Madam, I will return to Miss Rusport her own
jewels, and you shall have others of tenfold
their value.

bribe.

Bel. Why what the devil would she have now?-Miss Dudley, it is my wish to obey and please you; but I have some apprehension that we mistake each other.

Lou. I think we do: tell me, then, in few words, what it is you aim at.

Charles. We, that are poor, Louisa, should be cautious: for this reason, I would guard Lou. No, Sir, you err most widely; it is my you against Belcour; at least, till I can un-good opinion, not my vanity, which you must ravel the mystery of Miss Rusport's diamonds; I was disappointed of finding him at Mr. Stockwell's, and I am now going in search of him again: he may intend honourably; but, I confess to you, I am staggered; think no more of him, therefore, for the present: of this be sure, while I have life and you have honour, I will protect you or perish in your defence. [Exit. Lou. Think of him no more! Well, I'll obey; but if a wandering, uninvited thought should creep by chance into my bosom, must I not give the harmless wretch a shelter? Fy, fy upon it! Belcour pursues, insults me; yet, such is the fatality of my condition, that what should rouse my resentment, only calls up love.

Enter BELCOUR.

Bel. Alone, by all that's happy!
Lou. Ah!

Bel. In few words, then, and in plain honesty, I must tell you, so entirely am I captivated with you, that had you but been such as it would have become me to have called my wife, I had been happy in knowing you by that name; as it is, you are welcome to partake my fortune, give me, in return, your person, give me pleasure, give me love; free, disencumbered, antimatrimonial love.

Lou. Stand off, and never let me see you

more.

Bel. Hold, hold, thou dear, tormenting, tanBel. Oh! shriek not, start not, stir not, love-talizing girl! Upon my knees, I swear you liest creature! but let me kneel and gaze upon shall not stir till you have consented to my

your beauties.

Lou. Sir! Mr. Belcour, rise! What is it you do? Should he that parted from me but this minute, now return, I tremble for the consequence.

Bel. Fear nothing; let him come: I love you, Madam; he'll find it hard to make me unsay that.

Lou. You terrify me; your impetuous temper frightens me; you know my situation; it is not generous to pursue me thus.

Bel. True, I do know your situation, your real one, Miss Dudley, and am resolved to snatch you from it; 'twill be a meritorious act; the old captain shall rejoice; Miss Rusport shall be made happy; and even he, even your beloved brother, with whose resentment you threaten me, shall in the end applaud and thank me. Come, thou art a dear, enchanting girl, and I'm determined not to live a minute longer without thee.

Lou. Hold are you mad? I see you are a bold, assuming man; and know not where to stop.

Bel. Who that beholds such beauty can? Provoking girl! is it within the stretch of my fortune to content you? What is it you can further ask, that I am not ready to grant?

Lou. Yes, with the same facility, that you bestowed upon me Miss Rusport's diamonds. For shame! for shame! was that a manly story? Bel. So! so! these devilish diamonds meet me every where. Let me perish if I meant you any harm: Oh! I could tear my tongue out for saying a word about the matter.

Lou. Go to her then, and contradict it; till that is done, my reputation is at stake.

Bel. Her reputation !-Now she has got upon that, she'll go on for ever. [Aside. What is there I will not do for your sake? I will go to Miss Rusport.

Lou. Do so; restore her own jewels to her, which I suppose you kept back for the purpose of presenting others to her of a greater value; but for the future, Mr. Belcour, when

bliss.

Bel. Well, Sir.

Charles. How is it, Mr. Belcour, you have done this mean, unmanly wrong; beneath the mask of generosity, to give this fatal stab to our domestic peace? You might have had my thanks, my blessing: take my defiance now. 'Tis Dudley speaks to you; the brother, the protector of that injured lady.

Bel. The brother! give yourself a truer title.

Charles. What is't you mean?

Bel. Come, come, I know both her and you : I found you, Sir, (but how or why I know not,) in the good graces of Miss Rusport(yes, colour at that name,) I gave you no disturbance there, never broke in upon you in that rich and plenteous quarter, but, when I could have blasted all your projects with a word, spared you, in foolish pity spared you, nor roused her from the fond credulity in which your artifice had lulled her.

Charles. No, Sir, nor boasted to her of the splendid present you had made my poor Louisa; the diamonds, Mr. Belcour: how was that? What can you plead to that arraignment?

Bel. You question me too late; the name of Belcour and of villain never met before; had you inquired of me before you uttered that rash word, you might have saved yourself or

[They fight.

me a mortal error; now, Sir, I neither give | syllable, but I am surprised to find your ladynor take an explanation; so, come on! ship set so little store by this vast accession. Lady R. Why, you know, Mr. Varland, I am a moderate woman: I had enough before; a small matter satisfies me; and Sir Stephen Rusport (heaven be his portion!) took care I shouldn't want that.

Enter LOUISA and O'FLAHERTY. Lou. Hold, hold, for Heaven's sake! Fla. Hell and confusion ! What's all this uproar for? Can't you leave off cutting one another's throats, and mind what the poor girl says to you? You've done a notable | thing, haven't you both, to put her into such a furry? I think, o'my conscience, she's the most frighted of the three.

Charles. Dear Louisa, recollect yourself; why did you interfere ? 'tis in your cause. Bel. Now could I kill him for caressing her. O'Fla. O Sir, your most obedient! You are the gentleman I had the honour of meeting here before; you was then running off at full speed, like a Calmuck, now you are tilting and driving like a bedlamite, with this lad here, that seems as mad as yourself: 'tis pity but your country had a little more employment for you both.

Bel. Mr. Dudley, when you have recovered the lady, you know where I am to be found. [Exit. O'Fla. Well, then, can't you stay where you are, and that will save the trouble of looking after you? You volatile fellows think to give a man the meeting by getting out of his way: by my soul, 'tis a roundabout method that of his. But I think he called you Dudley: harkye, young man, are you son of my friend, the old captain?

Charles. I am. Help me to convey this lady to her chamber, and I shall be more at leisure to answer your questions.

O'Fla. Ay, will I: come along, pretty one; if you've had wrong done you, young man, you need look no further for a second; Dennis O'Flaherty's your man for that: but never draw your sword before a woman, Dudley; damn it, never while you live draw your sword before a woman. [Exeunt.

SCENE 11.-LADY RUSPORT'S House.

Enter LADY RUSPORT and SERVANT. Serv. An elderly gentleman, who says his name is Varland, desires leave to wait on your ladyship.

Lady R. Show him in: the very man I wish to see. Varland, he was Sir Oliver's solicitor, and privy to all his affairs: he brings some good tidings; some fresh mortgage or another bond come to light: they start up every day.

Enter VARLAND.

Mr. Varland, I'm glad to see you; you are heartily welcome, honest Mr. Varland; you and I haven't met since our late irreparable loss : how have you passed your time this age? Var. Truly, my lady, ill enough: I thought I must have followed good Sir Oliver.

Lady R. Alack-a-day, poor man! Well, Mr. Varland, you find me here overwhelmed with trouble and fatigue; torn to pieces with a multiplicity of affairs; a great fortune poured upon me, unsought for and unexpected: 'twas my good father's will and pleasure it should be so, and I must submit.

Var. Your ladyship inherits under a will made in the year forty-five, immediately after Captain Dudley's marriage with your sister. Lady R. I do so, Mr. Varland; I do so.

Var. 1 well remember it ; I engrossed every

|

|

Var. Very true, very true; he did so; and I am overjoyed to find your ladyship in this disposition ; for, truth to say, I was not without apprehension the news I have to communicate would have been of some prejudice to your ladyship's tranquillity.

Lady R. News, Sir! what news have you for me!

Var. Nay, nothing to alarm you; a trifle in your present way of thinking: I have a will of Sir Oliver's, you have never seen.

Lady R. A will! impossible! how came you by it, pray ?

Var. I drew it up, at his command, in his last illness: it will save you a world of trouble: it gives his whole estate from you to his grandson, Charles Dudley.

Lady R. To Dudley! his estate to Charles Dudley ? I can't support it! I shall faint ! You have killed me, you vile man! I never shall survive it!

Var. Lookye there, now : I protest, I thought you would have rejoiced at being clear of the encumbrance.

Lady R. 'Tis false; 'tis all a forgery, concerted between you and Dudley: why else did I never hear of it before?

Var. Have patience, my lady, and I'll tell you. By Sir Oliver's direction, I was to deliver this will into no hands but his grandson Dudley's: the young gentleman happened to be then in Scotland; I was despatched thither in search of him: the hurry and fatigue of my journey brought on a fever by the way, which confined me in extreme danger for several days; upon my recovery, I pursued my journey, found young Dudley had left Scotland in the interim, and am now directed hither; where, as soon as I can find him, doubtless, Í shall discharge my conscience, and fulfil my

commission.

Lady R. Dudley then, as yet, knows nothing of this will?

Var. Nothing: that secret rests with me. Lady R. A thought occurs: by this fellow's talking of his conscience, I should guess it was upon sale. [Aside.]-Come, Mr. Varland, if 'tis as you say, I must submit. I was somewhat flurried at first, and forgot myself: I ask your pardon: this is no place to talk of business; step with me into my room; you will there compare the will, and resolve accordingly-Oh! would your fever had you, and I had your paper! [Exeunt.

Enter MISS RUSPORT, CHARLES, and
O'FLAHERTY.

Miss R. So, so! My lady and her lawyer have retired to close confabulation: now, major, if you are the generous man I take you for, grant me one favour.

O'Fla. 'Faith will I, and not think much of my generosity neither; for, though it may not be in my power to do the favour you ask, look you, it can never be in my heart to refuse it.

Charles. Could this man's tongue do justice to his thoughts, how eloquent would he be ! [ Aside.

Miss R. Plant yourself, then, in that room :

keep guard for a few moments upon the enemy's motions in the chamber beyond; and, if they should attempt a sally, stop their mouth a moment, till your friend here can make good his retreat down the back stairs.

Piedmontese trot, within pistol-shot of your encampment.

Miss R. Here, here, down the back stairs! O Charles, remember me!

Charles. Farewell! Now, now I feel my[Exit.

Miss R. What does he mean?

O'Fla. A word to the wise! I'm an old cam-self a coward. paigner make the best use of your time; and trust me for tying the old cat up to the picket. Miss R. Hush! hush! not so loud. Charles. 'Tis the office of a sentinel, major, you have undertaken, rather than that of a field-officer.

O'Fla. 'Tis the office of a friend, my dear boy; and therefore no disgrace to a general. [Exit. Miss R. Well, Charles, will you commit yourself to me for a few minutes?

Charles. Most readily; and let me, before one goes by, tender you the only payment I can ever make for your abundant generosity. Miss R. Hold, hold! so vile a thing as money must not come between us. What shall I Say? Oh, Charles! Oh, Dudley! What difficulties have you thrown upon me! Familiarly as we have lived, I shrink now at what I am doing; and, anxiously as I have sought this opportunity, my fears almost persuade me to abandon it.

Charles. You alarm me!

Miss R. Your looks and actions have been so distant, and at this moment are so deterring, that, was it not for the hope that delicacy, and not disgust, inspires this conduct in you, I should sink with shame and apprehension; but time presses; and I must speak, and plainly too-Was you now in possession of your grandfather's estate, as justly you ought to be, and was you inclined to seek a companion for life, should you, or should you not, in that case, honour your unworthy Charlotte with your choice?

Charles. My unworthy Charlotte! So judge me, Heaven, there is not a circumstance on earth so valuable as your happiness, so dear to me as your person; but to bring poverty, disgrace, reproach from friends, ridicule from all the world, upon a generous benefactress; thievishly to steal into an open and unreserved ingenuous heart, O Charlotte! dear, unhappy girl, it is not to be done..

Miss R. Come, my dear Charles, I have enough; make that enough still more by sharing it with me: sole heiress of my father's fortune, a short time will put it in my disposal; in the mean while you will be sent to join your regiment; let us prevent a separation, by setting out this very night for that happy country, where marriage still is free: carry me this moment to Belcour's lodgings.

our !

Charles. Belcour's?-The name is ominous; there's murder in it: bloody, inexorable hon[Aside. Miss R. D'ye pause? Put me into his hands, while you provide the means for our escape he is the most generous, the most honourable,

of men.

Charles. Honourable! most honourable! Miss R. Can you doubt it? Do you demur? Have you forgot your letter? Why, Belcour, 'twas that prompted me to this proposal, that promised to supply the means, that nobly offered his unasked assistance

Enter O'FLAHERTY, hastily. O'Fla. Run, run; for holy St. Anthony's sake, to horse, and away! The conference is broke up and the enemy advances upon a full

O'Fla. Ask no questions, but be gone: she has cooled the lad's courage, and wonders he feels like a coward. There's a damned deal of mischief brewing between this hyena and her lawyer: 'egad, I'll step behind this screen and listen: a good soldier must sometimes fight in ambush, as well as open field.

Enter VARLAND.

[Retires.

Var. Let me consider-Five thousand pounds, prompt payment, for destroying this scrap of paper, not worth five farthings; 'tis a fortune easily earned; yes, and 'tis another man's fortune easily thrown away: 'tis a good round sum, to be paid down at once for a bribe; but 'tis a damned rogue's trick in me to take it.

O'Fla So, so! this fellow speaks truth to himself, though he lies to other people. [Aside.

Var. 'Tis breaking the trust of my benefactor, that's a foul crime; but he's dead, and can never reproach me with it and 'tis robbing young Dudley of his lawful patrimony, that's a hard case; but he's alive, and knows nothing of the matter.

O'Fla. These lawyers are so used to bring off the rogueries of others, that they are never without an excuse for their own. [Aside.

Var. Were I assured now that Dudley would give me half the money for producing this will, that Lady Rusport does for concealing it, Í would deal with him and be an honest man at half price; and I wish every gentleman of my profession could lay his hand on his heart and say the same thing.

O'Fla. A bargain, old gentleman! Nay, never start nor stare; you wasn't afraid of your own conscience never be afraid of me.

Var. Of you, Sir! who are you, pray? O'Fla. I'll tell you who I am: you seem to wish to be honest, but want the heart to set about it; now I am the very man in the world to make you so; for, if you do not give up that paper this very instant, by the soul of me, fellow, I will not leave one whole bone in your skin that sha'n't be broken.

Var. What right have you, pray, to take this paper from me?

O'Fla. What right have you, pray, to keep it from young Dudley? I don't know what it contains, but I am apt to think it will be safer in my hands than in yours; therefore give it me without more words, and save yourself a beating: do now; you had best.

Var. Well, Sir, I may as well make a grace of necessity. There; I have acquitted my conscience, at the expense of five thousand pounds.

O'Fla. Five thousand pounds! Mercy upon me! When there are such temptations in the law, can we wonder if some of the corps are a disgrace to it!

Var. Well, you have got the paper; if you are an honest man, give it to Charles Dudley. O'Fla. An honest man! look at me, friend; I am a soldier, this is not the livery of a knave; I am an Irishman, honey; mine is not the country of dishonour. Now, sirrah, be gone; if thou enter these doors, or give Lady Rusport