Sir James. Ay, but that was, Sir Robert, becaufe Sir Rob. For no other reafon in life. Marg. My observation you allow to be Sir Rob. Sir James. And my reply Sir Rob. Conclufive as could be. Sir Rob. Marg. But then To be fure. Sir James. Because why Sir Rob. You are quite in the right. O'Flam. Upon my foul, they have got the old gentleman into fuch puzzleation, that I don't believe he knows what he wishes himself. Stand by and let me clear up this matter a little. Hearkee, Mr. Sir Robert, if I understand your maning at all, it is, that provided people could be prevented from publishing, you are willing the prefs fhould be free. Sir Rob. That was my meaning no doubt. O'Flam. Upon my confcience, and nothing but reafon. There, I believe, we are all of us agreed. How feldom would people differ, if once we could get them to be all of a mind? And now this difference is whole and compos'd, let me try if I can't inake up the other. I understand here, old gentleman, you have had a daughter abused. Sir Rob. Moft foully. O'Flam. And you want to know who was the author? Sir Rob. That was my fole bufinefs here. O'Flam. Then why could not you fay fo at first, without all this bothering and bawling? Well, mafter Margin, come give the old buck fatisfaction. Marg. Marg. It was anonymous. O'Flam. Upon my foul, and I thought fo. That is the most damnedft, impudent fon of a bitch, he had like to have brought me into three or four scrapes, by fathering his lies upon me. Sir James. Will you give us leave to look at the hand? Marg. Freely, this is the paper. Sir James. Sir Robert, do you recollect to have feen this writing before? Sir Rob. It is James's, I know it as well as my own here are his B's, his G's, and his T's. Sir James. So I guess'd. Will you trust the paper with us? Sir Rob. Let him get it again, if he can.Sir James, I fhall expect you at home. [Exit. Marg. I hope no bad ufe will be made of it. Sir James. The worft ufe has already been made of it; but at parting, Mr. Margin, let me give you a piece of advice. Take care how you provoke the publick patience too far. You have let the laws at defiance, and long reign'd uncontroul'd, I confefs; but don't wonder if the fubjects of your flander forget there are laws in their turn, and, valuing an honeft name more than their lives, fhould expofe their lives to revenge it. [Exit. O'Flam. Upon my foul, Mr. Margin, very wholfome advice, and will do you much good if you take it; but, above all, rid you hands of James Anonymous as foon as you can; you know it was he got you that beating.-That fellow has brought you into more fcrapes than all your authors together. Enter ter. Enter a Servant. Ser. Gentlemen, the milk porridge is ready. All. Let us ftart fair I beseech you. [Exeunt. Enter Lady Rifcounter, Lucy, and Kitty. Lady Rifc. Sir James Biddulph is gone? Kitty. Yes, Madam, and with him my maf Lady Rifc. Sir Robert! to what place, can you guess? Kitty. I fhould think, by what I overheard, to the printer's. Lady Rife. To the printer's! of what ufe can that be? Kitty. I can't fay; but your ladyfhip, I hope, will excufe me. Lady Rife. Excufe you, why child, what's the matter? Kitty. I have heard fome whifpering among the clerks, as if things were not quite fo well with my master, Lady Rife. What, fome little difappointments in trade? Kitty. Much worfe, I am afraid; I don't know what it means; but they fay an extent is brought into the house. Lady Rifc. With all my heart; let what will happen, it can be of little importance to me. Lucy. No, Madam! Lady Rifc. No, child, you can't fuppofe, but upon my marriage, I took care, at all events, to fecure a proper provision. Lucy. Indeed! can that be done? 4 Lady Lady Rifc. A common caution, my dear don't you fee Mrs. Paduafoy rides in her coach, whilst half her husband's creditors are in gaol ? Lucy. Is that the cafe? Lady Rifc. If wives were to have any thing to do with those kind of creatures, who d'ye' think would marry with people in bufiefs? and now I think on't, it will be fo much the better; for the father's failure muft in fome measure.fall on the daughter. Lucy. True; but your ladyfhip faw Sir James Biddulph. Lady Rifc. For a moment only, my dear. Lady Rife. I only just threw out a hint ; to be more explicit now, would make him fufpicious; we must give him time to digeft his difappointment. Kitty. As I live, Mifs Lydia is coming. Enter Lydia. Lydia. I beg your ladyfhip's pardon, for intruding without your permiffion; but, my unfortunate fituation will, I hope, plead my excufe: I come, Madam, to beg your protection. Lady Rifc. Mine, child? Lydia. Your affiftance, in detecting the authors of this horrid defign. Lady Rife. That, child, is properly your father's concern. Lydia. True, Madam; but the relation your ladyship bears to his family might, I hope, induce you to do me this juftice. Lady Lady Rife. Juftice, Lydia!-as it is my duty, I fhall ever be ready to give my advice. Lydia. That, Madam, is all that I want. Lady Rifc. As this affair has made fuch a noife, there remains but one ftep to be taken. Lydia. Which is Lady Rife. A marriage with James. Lydia. With James! and fo fanctify the scandalous story. Lady Rifc. It may be alledged by the family, that the ceremony had pass'd before the detection. Lydia. Detection! I hope your ladyship does not not suppose there is the fmalleft foundation? Lady Rife. That I fhall not pretend to determine. But, at all events, you are in the right to deny it. Lydia. Your ladyship's indifference fhocks me more than the-Your daughter, Lucy, will do me justice I am fure, fhe has been privy to every Lucy. Me, Mifs? I beg pardon for that: how should I know your intrigues? I beg you will not involve me in your guilt. Lydia. Nay, then it is in vain to struggle; I fee, my ruin is refolv'd. Enter Sir Robert. Sir Rob. Where is Lady Rifcounter? well, my dear, we have got to the bottom of this infernal business at last-here, here it is, in the rafcal's own hand. Lady Rifc. Sir Robert! Sir Rob. Why, the paragraph was sent to the printer's by James. Lady |