Col. You seem surprised, madam? Vio. Oh, colonel, my father is coming and if he find you here, I am ruined.

:

Col. Odslife, madam, thrust me any where. Can't I go out this way?

Vio. No, no, no; he comes that way. How shall I prevent their meeting? Here, here; step into my bed-chamber———

Col. Oh, the best place in the world, madam ! Vio. And be still, as you value her you love. Don't stir till you've notice, as ever you hope to have her in your arms.

Col. On that condition, I'll not breathe. [Exit COLONEL.

Enter FELIX.

Fel. I wonder where this dog of a servant is all this while-But she is at home, I find-How coldly she regards me!You look, Violante, as if the sight of me were troublesome to you.

Vio. Can I do otherwise, when you have the assurance to approach me after what I saw today?

Fel. Assurance! rather call it good-nature, after what I heard last night. But such regard to honour have I in my love to you, I cannot bear to be suspected, nor suffer you to entertain false notions of my truth, without endeavouring to convince you of my innocence-So much good-nature have I more than you, Violante.Pray, give me leave to ask your woman one question: my man assures me she was the person you saw at my lodgings.

Flo. I confess it, madam, and ask your pardon. Vio. Impudent baggage! not to undeceive me sooner what business could you have there? Fel. Lissardo and she, it seems, imitate you and I.

Flo. I love to follow the example of my betters, madam.

Fel. I hope I am justified

Vio. Since we are to part, Felix, there needs no justification.

Fel. Methinks you talk of parting as a thing indifferent to you. Can you forget how I have loved?

Vio. I wish I could forget my own passion, I should with less concern remember yours.-But for mistress Flora

Fel. You must forgive her—Must, did I say? I fear I have no power to impose, though the injury was done to me.

Vio. 'Tis harder to pardon an injury done to what we love, than to ourselves; but, at your request, Felix, I do forgive her. Go watch my father, Flora, lest he should awake and surprise

Vio. Prithee, no more of that, my Felix; a little time shall bring thee perfect satisfaction.

Fel. Well, Violante, on condition you think no more of a monastery, I'll wait with patience for this mighty secret.

Vio. Ah, Felix! love generally gets the better of religion in us women. Resolutions, made in the heat of passion, ever dissolve upon reconciliation.

Enter FLORA, hastily.

Flo. Oh! madam, madam, madam! my lord, your father, has been in the garden, and locked the back-door, and comes muttering to himself this wåv.

Vio. Then we are caught! Now, Felix, we are undone !

Fel. Heavens forbid! This is most unlucky! Let me step into your bed-chamber, he won't look under the bed; there I may conceal myself. [Runs to the door, and pushes it open a

little.]

Vio. My stars! if he goes in there, he'll find the colonel!—No, no, Felix, that's no safe place: my father often goes thither, and should you cough or sneeze, we are lost.

Fel. Either my eye deceived me, or I saw a man within; I'll watch him close.

Flo. Oh, invention, invention !-I have it, madam. Here, here, sir; off with your sword, and I'll fetch you a disguise. [Exit.

Fel. She shall deal with the devil, if she conveys him out without my knowledge. Vio. Bless me, how I tremble!

Enter FLORA, with a riding-hood.
Flo. Here, sir, put on this.

Fel. Ay, ay; any thing to avoid Don Pedro.
[She puts it on.
Vio. Oh, quick, quick! I shall die with appre-

hension.

Flo. Be sure you don't speak a word. Fel. Not for the Indies- -but I shall observe you closer than you imagine. [Aside. Ped. [Within.] Violante, where are you, child?

Enter DON PEDRO.

[Aside.

Fla. Oh, dear signior, she cannot hear you; she has been deaf these twenty years. Ped. Alas, poor woman!-Why, you muffle her up as if she were blind, too. Fel. Would I were fairly off! Ped. Turn up her hood. Vio. Undone for ever!bid! Oh, sir, she has the dreadfullest unlucky eyes-Pray, don't look upon them; I made her keep her hood shut on purpose.-Oh, oh, oh, oh!

-St Anthony for

Ped. Eyes!Why, what's the matter with her eyes?

Flo. My poor mother, sir, is much afflicted with the colic; and, about two months ago, she had it grievously in her stomach, and was overpersuaded to take a dram of filthy English Geneva- -which immediately flew up into her head, and caused such a defluxion in her eyes, that she could never since bear the day-light.

Ped. Say you so ?- -Poor woman! -Well, make her sit down, Violante, and give her a glass

of wine.

Ped. Well, well; do so. -Evil eyes! there are no evil eyes, child. Flo. Come along, mother-[Speaks loud.]— [Ereunt FELIX and FLORA. Vio. I'm glad he's gone. [Aside. Ped. Hast thou heard the news, Violante? Vio. What news, sir? Ped. Why, Vasquez tells me, that Don Lopez' daughter, Isabella, is run away from her father! that lord has very ill fortune with his children. -Well, I'm glad my daughter has no inclination to mankind, that my house is plagued with no suitors. [Aside. Vio. This is the first word ever I heard of it! I pity her frailty

Flo. I would tell him I had as good a right and title to the law of nature, and the end of the creation, as he had.

Ped. You would, mistress! who the devil doubts it?-A good assurance is a chambermaid's coat of arms, and lying and contriving the supporters.---Your inclinations are on tiptoe, it seems.- -If I were your father, housewife, I'd have a penance enjoined you so strict, that you should not be able to turn you in your bed for a month.-You are enough to spoil your lady, housewife, if she had not abundance of de

votion.

Vio. Fy, Flora! are you not ashamed to talk thus to my father?—You said, yesterday, you would be glad to go with me into the monastery. Flo. Did I! I told a great lie, then.

Ped. She go with thee! no, no; she's enough to debauch the whole convent.--Well, child, remember what I said to thee: next week

Vio. Ay; and what I am to do this, too. [Aside.] I am all obedience, sir; I care not how soon I change my condition.

Flo. But little does he think what change she Aside.

means.

Ped. Well said, Violante !-I am glad to find her so willing to leave the world; but it is wholly owing to my prudent management. Did she know that she might command her fortune when she came at age, or upon day of marriage, perhaps she'd change her note.But I have always told her, that her grandfather left it with this proviso, that she turned nun. Now, a small part of this twenty thousand pounds provides for her in the nunnery, and the rest is my own. There is nothing to be got in this life without poficy.-[Aside.]-Well, child, I am going into the country for two or three days, to settle some affairs with thy uncle; and, when I return, we'll proceed for thy happiness, child.Good bye, Violante; take care of thyself.

[Exeunt DON PEDRO and VIOLANTE.` Flo. So, now for the colonel!- -Hist, hist,

Enter FLORA.

Vio. I don't intend to stay so long, thank you, papa.

[Aside. Ped. My lady Abbess writes word she longs to see thee, and has provided every thing in order for thy reception. Thou wilt lead a happy life, my girl-fifty times before that of matrimony- -where an extravagant coxcomb might make a beggar of thee, or an ill-natured surly dog break thy heart.

Flo. Break her heart! she had as good have her bones broke, as to be a nun; I am sure I had rather of the two. You are wondrous kind, sir: but, if I had such a father, I know what I would do.

Ped. Why, what would you do, mins, ha?
VOL. II.

Enter COLONEL.

Col. Is the coast clear?

Flo. Yes, if you can climb; for you must get over the washhouse, and jump from the gardenwall into the street.

Col. Nay, nay; I don't value my neck, if my incognita answers but thy lady's promise. [Exeunt CoL. and FLO.

Enter FELIX.

Fel. I have lain perdue under the stairs till I watched the old man out. [VIOLANTE opens the door.] 'Sdeath! I am prevented. [Erit FELIX.

Enter VIOLANTE.

Vio. Now to set my prisoner at liberty. [Gocs

4 B

to the door, where the colonel is hid.] Sir, sir, you may appear.

Enter FELIX, following her.

Fel. May he so, madam? I had cause for my suspicion, I find. Treacherous woman! Vio. Ha, Felix here! Nay, then, all is discovered.

Fel. [Draws.] Villain! whoever thou art, come out, I charge thee, and take the reward of thy adulterous errand.

Vio. And as soon as that man finds his love returned, she becomes as errant a slave as if she had already said after the priest.

Fel. The priest, Violante, would dissipate those fears which cause those quarrels. When wilt thou make me happy?

Vio. To-morrow I will tell thee: my father is gone for two or three days to my uncle's; we have time enough to finish our affairs.—But, prithee leave me now, lest some accident should bring my father.

Fel. To-morrow, then

[Aside.

Fel. A coward! Nay, then, I'll fetch you out; think not to hide thyself: no; by St Anthony, an altar should not protect thee; even there, lo reach thy heart, though all the saints were armed in thy defence. [Exit FEL

Vio. Defend me, Heaven! what shall I do I must discover Isabella, or here will be murder!

Vio Yes, trick! I knew you'd take the hint, and soon relapse into your wonted error. How easily your jealousy is fired! I shall have a blessed life with you.

Fel. Was there nothing in it, then, but only to try me?

Vio. Won't you believe your eyes?

Fel. My eyes! No, nor my ears, nor any of my senses, for they have all deceived me.— Well, I am convinced that faith is as necessary in love as in religion; for, the moment a man lets a woman know her conquest, he resigns his senses, and sees nothing but what she would have him..

Fel. Oh, rapturous sounds! Charming wo

man!

Thy words and looks have filled my heart With joy, and left no room for jealousy. Do thou, like me, each doubt and fear re

move,

And all to come be confidence and love. [Erit FEL.

Enter ISABELLA.

Isa. I am glad my brother and you are reconciled, my dear; and the colonel escaped without is knowledge; I was frighted out of my wits when I heard him return. I know not how to express my thanks, woman, for what you suffered for my sake; my grateful acknowledgement shall ever wait you, and to the world proclaim the faith, truth, and honour of a woman.

Vio. Prithee, don't compliment thy friend, Isabella. You heard the colonel, I suppose?

Isa. Every syllable; and am pleased to find I do not love in vain.

Vio. Thou has caught his heart, it seems, and an hour hence may secure his person. Thou hast made hasty work on't, girl.

Isa. From thence I draw my happiness; we shall have no accounts to make up, after consummation.

She who for years protracts her lover's pain,
And makes him wish, and wait, and sigh in
vain,

To be his wife, when late she gives consent,
Finds half his passion was in courtship spent;
Whilst they, who boldly all delays remove,
Find every hour a fresh supply of love.

રી

[Exeunt.

SCENE I-FREDERICK's house.

Enter FELIX and FREDERICK.

Fel. This hour has been propitious; I am reconciled to Violante, and you assure me Antonio is out of danger.

Fred. Your satisfaction is doubly mine.

Enter LISSARDO.

Fel. What haste you made, sirrah, to bring me word if Violante went home!

Lis. I can give you very good reasons for my stay, sir. Yes, sir, she went home.

Fred. Oh! your master knows that, for he has been there himself, Lissardo.

Lis. Sir, may I beg the favour of your ear? Fel. What have you to say?

[Whispers, and FELIX seems uneasy. Fred. Ha! Felix changes colour at Lissardo's news! What can it be?

Fel. A Scots footman, that belongs to colonel Briton, an acquaintance of Frederick's, say you? The devil! if she be false, by Heaven I'll trace her. Prithee, Frederick, do you know one colonel Briton, a Scotsman ?

Fred. Yes; why do you ask me? Fel. Nay, no great matter; but my man tells me that he has had some little differences with a servant of his, that's all.

Fred. He is a good, harmless, innocent fellow I am sorry for it. The colonel lodges in my house; I knew him formerly in England, and met him here by accident last night, and gave him an invitation home. He is a gentleman of good estate, besides his commission; of excellent principles, and strict honour, I assure you. Fel. Is he a man of intrigue?

Fred. Like other men, I suppose. Here he

comes.

Enter COLONEL.

Colonel, I began to think I had lost you. Col. And not without some reason, if you knew all.

Fel. There's no danger of a fine gentleman's being lost in this town, sir.

Col. That compliment don't belong to me, sir; but, I assure you, I have been very near being run away with.

Fred. Who attempted it?

Col. Faith, I know not-only, that she is a charming woman; I mean as much as I saw of her.

Fel. My heart swells with apprehensionsome accidental encounter?

Fred. A tavern, I suppose, adjusted the mat

ter?

Col. A tavern! no, no, sir; she's above that

rank, I assure you; this nymph sleeps in a velvet bed, and lodgings every way agreeable.

Fel. Ha! a velvet bed! I thought you said but now, sir, you knew her not.

Col. No more I don't, sir.

Fel. How came you, then, so well acquainted with her bed?

Fred. Aye, aye, come, come, unfold.

Col. Why, then, you must know, gentlemen, that I was conveyed to her lodgings by one of Cupid's emissaries, called a chambermaid, in a chair, through fifty blind alleys, who, by the help of a key, let me into a garden.

Fel. 'Sdeath! a garden! this must be Violante's garden.

[Aside.

Col. From thence conducted me into a spacious room, then dropt me a curtsey; told me her lady would wait on me presently; so, without unveiling, modestly withdrew. Fel. Damn her modesty! this was Flora.

[Aside.

Fred. Well, how then, colonel? Col. Then, sir, immediately from another door issued forth a lady, armed at both eyes, from whence such showers of darts fell around me, that had I not been covered with the shield of another beauty, I had infallibly fallen a martyr to her charms; for, you must know, I just saw her eyes-Eyes! did I say? no, no, hold; I saw but one eye, though I suppose it had a fellow equally as killing.

Fel. But how came you to see her bed, sir?--'Sdeath! this expectation gives a thousand racks. [Aside.

Col. Why, upon her maid's giving notice her father was coming, she thrust me into the bedchamber.

Fel. Upon her father's coming!

Col. Aye, so she said; but putting my ear to the key-hole of the door, I found it was another lover.

Fel. Confound the jilt! 'twas she without dispute. [Aside.

Fred. Ah, poor colonel! Ha, ha, ha! Col. I discovered they had had a quarrel, but whether they were reconciled or not I can't tell; for the second alarm brought her father in good earnest, and had like to have made the gentleman and I acquainted, but she found some other stratagem to convey him out.

Fel. Contagion seize her, and make her body ugly as her soul! There is nothing left to doubt of now 'Tis plain 'twas she. Sure he knows me, and takes this method to insult me. 'Sdeath! I cannot bear it.

[Aside.

Fred. So, when she had dispatched her old lover, she paid you a visit in her bed-chamberha! colonel?