Sir Rob. Perhaps I myself am a facrifice to those very arts you have recommended fo warmly. But there the mischief fhall end. Men may fuffer from my calamities, but they never fhall by my crimes.

[Exit. Pil. Did you ever meet with fuch a squeamifh old fool? what could he mean by fending for us?

Ref. Who can tell? his head's turn'd, I fuppofe.

Pil. I thought we had him fure; but how nimbly he has flipp'd through our fingers!

Ref. Neceffity will foon bring him back to our hook. He is fhy for the prefent, but I warrant he will bite bye and bye.

Pil. Or we shall lofe a capital prize.

Ref. Indeed, fhould his friends interpofe, and matters be compounded without us.

Pil. That I have a fure way to prevent. Be-. fore an hour is paft, I will tear fuch a rent in his robe, as I defy all the botchers in Europe

to mend.

Ref. By what means?

Pil. I know he is in the receipt of fome government money; I will take care to faddle him with an extent.

Ref. That will do.

Pil. I fhall only juft go and take out a commiffion against five macaronies, who are joint annuitants to a couple of Jews.

Ref. But how can you lug them into a stature? they are no dealers you know.

Pil. No dealers? yes, but they are.

Ref. Aye, of what kind?

Pil. Why, they are dealers of cards. [Exeunt.

Enter

Enter Lady Riscounter, and Sir James Biddulph. Lady Rife. If you will walk in, Sir James, Sir Robert is a little bufy at prefent, but he will wait upon you directly.

Sir James. I have no call, Madam, that prevents my attending his leifure.

Lady Rifc. I fear the defign of this vifit, Sir James, is of a different nature from those we have lately received.

Sir James. I came, Madam, to offer my aid in detecting and punishing an infamous calumny that has made its way to the publick, this morning.

Lady Rifc. But reports of this kind, when defpifed and neglected, gradually die of themfelves. It is a moft unlucky affair, I confefs.

Sir James. Unlucky! moft falfe and atrocious: I hope, Madam, we fhall be able to difcover its author.

Lady Rifc. As to that, it is scarce worth the enquiry.

Sir James. How, Madam!

Lady Rifc.

We have family reafons, Sir James, for wifhing to draw a veil over

Sir James. A veil! I am astonish'd, Lady Rifcounter!

Lady Rife. The lofs of your alliance, indeed, which now we dare neither expect, nor defire, has mortified us all not a little. If any other means could be found to form a connection between us, and a person of your merit and rank, there is nothing, I am fure, I should fo ardently wish.

Sir James. Your ladyfhip is most exceedingly kind.

F

Lady

Lady Rife. I hope the whole family, efpecially myself and daughter, are not, through the error of one, to be punished with the lofs of your friendship.

Sir James. You do me infinite honour.

Lady Rife. Indeed, my Lucy, upon this occafion, I felt chiefly for you; for though perhaps not fo impofing and fpecious, as the girl whofe lapfe we lament, fhe has great goodness of heart, and a proper fenfe of your worth.

Sir James. Mifs Lucy is moft prodigioufly

Lady Rife. But Sir Robert's door opens, and as my prefence may not be fo proper upon this occafion, I take my leave, with the hopes of foon receiving a vifit

Sir James. I fhall be happy, Madam, in feizing every occafion-your ladyfhip's-[Exit Lady Rifcounter.] What can be the meaning of this? She feems to confirm and credit the infamous ftory. Sir Robert, I fuppofe, will explain it.

Enter Sir Robert.

Sir Rob. Sir James, I fcarce know how to accoft you; but the confufion I feel at the unhappy caufe of your visit.

Sir James. Indeed, Sir Robert, I own myfelf greatly perplex'd. I cnter'd your houfe, full of the warmeft refentment, and prepar'd to take every active part in my power; but your lady has dropp'd fome hints, as if you wifh'd to fifle all further enquiry. Pray, Sir Robert,

be

be candid and open. a right to demand.

This, Sir, I think, I have

Sir Rob. Doubtlefs. Nor do I wish to conceal: there is room for fufpicion,' I own; fo far Lady Riscounter is right; but yet, LydiaSir James. You have then feen her, Sir Robert?

Sir Rob. Not ten ininutes ago. Her furprife feem'd fo fincere, and fo artlefs, and Sir James. Without doubt

Sir Rob. And fuch ftrong marks of truth, both in her words, and her looks, that I confefs -perhaps it was a fatherly weakness, I could not help giving credit to all that she said.

Sir James. You did her but juftice, I am fure. I will pawn my life upon her honour and

faith.

Sir Rob. But yet how to reconcile-for, Sir James, I will be impartial; fome accounts I have had

Sir James. Time can only do that. Deeplaid defigns are not difcovered at once. If we can but get at the clue.-And what steps have you taken? have you been, or fent to the prin

ter's?

Sir Rob. No. I did think of going, but my lady perfuaded me, that the ftep would be wrong.

Sir James. For which fhe had very good reafons, no doubt. Will you give me leave to accompany you thither?

do.

Sir Rob. If you think it right.

Sir James. The very first thing you should

Sir Rob. But fhould not we confult my lady about it?

Sir James. The very laft thing you should do.

Sir Rob. And why fo?

Sir James. I muft beg to conceal my reasons at prefent. I too, have my suspicions, Sir Robert.

Sir Rob. You have?

Sir James. Which I fancy you will foon find to be better founded than thofe of your family.

dy.

Sir Rob. Not unlikely, Sir James.

Sir James. Come, Sir, my chariot is rea

Sir Rob. I attend you, Sir James.

[Exeunt.

END OF THE SECOND ACT

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