to be a little angry; and so, for the sake of tran- | viour to me, as it has hastened and confirmed my quillity, I'll go to the opera. happiness here. [To SOPHIA.]-But, as a friend to you ladies, I shall insist upon his making you ample satisfaction: However, this benefit will arise, that you will hereafter equally detest and shun these destroyers of your reputation. [DAFFODIL sneaks out by degrees. Lord Rac. This is a fine blow up, indeed!Ladies, your humble servant-Hallo! Daffodil. [Erit. Diz. I'll lay you a hundred, that my cousin never intrigues again-George! George! Don't run-hugh-hugh[Exit. Tuke. As my satisfaction is complete, I have none to ask of Mr. Daffodil. I forgive his beha In you coquettry is a loss of fame; Sir Cha. Now, nephew, consider once again, before I open the matter to my neighbour Heartly, what I am going to undertake for you.-Why don't you speak? Young Cha. Is it proper and decent, uncle? Sir Cha. Psha! don't be a fool, but answer me-Don't you flatter yourself?-What assurance have you, that this young lady, my friend's ward, has a liking to you? The young fellows of this age are all coxcombs; and, I am afraid, you are no exception to the general rule. Young Cla. Thank you, uncle; but, may I this instant be struck old and peevish, if I would put you upon a false scent to expose you, for all the fine women in Christendom. I assure you again and again, and you may take my word, uncle, that Miss Harriet has no kind of aversion to your nephew and most humble servant. Sir Cha. Ay, ay, vanity, vanity! but I never take a young fellow's word about women; they'll lie as fast, and with as little conscience, as the Brussels Gazette. Produce your proofs. Young Cla. Can't your eyes see them, uncle, without urging me to the indelicacy of repeating them? Sir Cha. Why, I see nothing but a fool's head and a fool's coat, supported by a pair of most unpromising legs. Have you no better proofs. Young Cla. Yes, I have, my good infidel uncle, half a hundred. Sir Cha. Out with them, then. Young Cla. First, then-Whenever I see her, she never looks at me :-That's a sign of love. Whenever I speak to her, she never answers me: Another sign of love. And whenever I speak to any body else, she seems to be perfectly easy: That's a certain sign of love. Sir Cha, The devil it is! Young Cla. When I am with her she is always grave; and the moment I get up to leave her the poor thing begins:why will you leave me, Mr. Clackit? can't you sacrifice a few moments to my bashfulness?-Stay, you agreeable runaway, stay; I shall soon overcome the fears your presence gives me.'-I could say more-But a man of honour, uncle Sir Cha. What, and has she said all these things to you? Young Cla. O yes, and ten times more-with her eyes. Sir Cha. With her eyes?-Eyes are very equivocal, Jack. However if the young lady has any liking to you, Mr. Heartly is too much a man of the world, and too much my friend, to oppose the match; so do you walk into the garden, and I will open the matter to him. Young Cla. Is there any objection to my staying, uncle? the business will be soon ended -you will propose the match; he will give his consent, I shall give mine; miss is sent for and laffair est fait. [Snapping his fingers. Sir Cha. And so you think that a young beautiful heiress, with forty thousand pounds, is to be had with a scrap of French, and a snap of your finger? pr'ythee get away, and don't provoke me. Young Cla. Nay, but dear unclemy Sir Cha. Nay, but my impertinent nephew, either retire, or I'll throw up the game. [Putting him out. Young Cla. Well, well, I am gone, uncle.When you come to the point, I shall be ready to make my appearance.-Bon voyage! Exit. Sir Cha. The devil's in these young fellows, I think! -We send them abroad to cure their sheepishness, and they get above proof the other way. Enter MR. HEARTLY. Good-morrow to you, neighbour. Sir Cha. I can return you the compliment my friend: without flattery, you don't look more than thirty-five; and, between ourselves, you are on the wrong side of forty-but mum for that. Heart. Ease and tranquillity keep me as you see. Sir Cha. Why don't you marry, neighbour? A good wife wou'd do well for you. Heart. For me! you are pleased to be merry, sir Charles Sir Cha. No faith, I am serious; and had I a daughter to recommend to you, you should say me nay more than once, I assure you, neighbour Heartly, before I would quit you. Heart. I am much obliged to you. Sir Cha. But, indeed you are a little too much of the philosopher, to think of being troubled with women and their concerns. Heart. I beg your pardon, Sir CharlesThough there are many who call themselves philosophers, that live single, and, perhaps, are in the right of it, yet, I cannot think that marriage is at all inconsistent with true philosophy. -A wise man will resolve to live like the rest of the world, with this only difference, that he is neither a slave to passions nor events. It is not because I have a little philosophy, but because I am on the wrong side of forty, Sir Charles, that I desire to be excused. Sir Cha. As you please, sir; and now, to my business. You have no objection, I suppose, to tie up your ward, Miss Harriet, though you have slipped the collar yourself? ha, ha, ha! Heart. Quite the contrary, sir; I have taken her some time from the boarding-school, and brought her home, in order to dispose of her worthily, with her own inclination. Sir Cha. Her father, I have heard you say, recommended that particular care to you, when she had reached a certain age. Heart. He did so; and I am the more desirous to obey him scrupulously in this circumstance, as she will be a most valuable aquisition to the person who shall gain her; for not to mention her fortune, which is the least consideration, her sentiments are worthy her birth; she is gentle, modest, and obliging. In a word, my friend, I never saw youth more amiable or discreet; but perhaps I am a little partial to her. Sir Cha. No, No; she is a delicious creature, Enter YOUNG CLACKIT. my uncle is a little unhappy in his manner; I suppose the reason of this gentleman's visit but, I'll clear the matter in a moment-Miss to me? Harriet, sir-your ward Sir Cha. Get away, you puppy ! Miss Har. Sir! [To HARRIET. [Confused. Heart. You may trust me, my dear. Don't disturbed; I shall not reproach you with any thing but keeping your wishes a secret from me so long. Young Cla. Miss Harriet, sir, your ward-be a most accomplishsd young lady, to be sureSir Cha. Thou art a most accomplished coxcomb, to be sure! Heart. Pray, Sir Charles, let the young gentleman speak. Young Cla. You'll excuse me, Mr. HeartlyMy uncle does not set up for an orator-little confused, or so, sir-You see me what I am— But I ought to ask pardon for the young lady, and myself. We are young, sir-I must confess we were wrong to conceal it from youbut my uncle, I see is pleased to be angry; and, therefore, I shall say no more at pre sent. Miss Har. Upon my word, sir,-Lucy! Lucy. Well, and Lucy! I'll lay my life 'tis a treaty of marriage! Is that such a dreadful thing? Oh, for shame, madam! Young ladies of fashion are not frightened at such things, now-a days. Heart. [To SIR CHA.]-We have gone too far, sir Charles. We must excuse her delicacy and give her time to recover: I had better talk with her alone; we will leave her now. Be persuaded that no endeavours shall be wanting on my part, to bring this affair to a happy and speedy conclusion. Sir Cha. If you don't leave the room this moment, and stay in the garden till I call you- Sir Cha. I shall be obliged to you, Mr. Young Cla. I am sorry I have displeased you Heartly. Young lady, your servant. What -I did not think it was mal-a-propos; but you grace and modesty! She is a most engaging must have your way, uncle-You command-creature, and I shall be proud to make her one I submit-Mr. Heartly, yours. of my family. [Erit YOUNG CLACKIT. Sir Cha. Puppy! [Aside.] My nephew's a little unthinking, Mr. Heartly, as you see; and, therefore, I have been a little cautious how I have proceeded in this affair: But, indeed, he has in a manner persuaded me, that your ward and he are not ill-together. Heart. Indeed! this is the first notice I have had of it, and 1 cannot conceive why Miss Harriet should conceal it from me; for I have often assured her, that I would never oppose her inclination, though I might endeavour to direct it. Sir Cha. Tis human nature, neighbour. We are so ashamed of our first passion, that we would willingly hide it from ourselves But will you mention my nephew to her? Heart. I must beg your pardon, Sir Charles. The name of the gentleman whom she chooses must first come from herself. My advice or importunity shall never influence her; If guardians would be less rigorous, young people would be more reasonable; and I am so unfashionable to think, that happiness in marriage cant't be bought too dear-I am still on the wrong side of forty, Sir Charles. Heart. You do us honour, Sir Charles. [Ereunt SIR CHARLES and HEART. Lucy. Indeed, Miss Harriet, you are very particular; you was tired of the boardingschool, and yet seem to have no inclination to be married. What can be the meaning of all this? that smirking old gentleman is uncle to Mr. Clackit; and, my life for it, he has made some proposals to your guardian. Miss Har. Pr'ythee, don't plague me about Mr. Clackit. Lucy. But why not, miss? though he is a little fantastical, loves to hear himself talk, and is somewhat self-sufficient; you must consider he is young, has been abroad, and keeps good company: the trade will soon be at an end, if young ladies and gentlemen grow over nice and exceptious. Miss Har. But if I can find one without these faults, I may surely please myself. Lucy. Without these faults! and is he young, miss? Miss Har. He is sensible, modest, polite, affable, and generous; and charms from the natural impulses of his own heart, as much as others disgust by their senseless airs, and insoaffectation." Sir Cha. No, no; you are right, neighbour.-lent But here she is. Don't alarm her young heart too much, I beg of you. Upon my word, she is a sweet morsel! Enter MISS HARRIET and LUCY. Miss Har. He is with company-I'll speak to him another time. [Retiring. Lucy. Young, handsome, and afraid of being seen! You are very particular, miss. Heart. Miss Harriet you must not go. [HARRIET returns.]-Sir Charles, give me leave to introduce you to this young lady. You know, Lucy. Upon my word! but why have you kept this secret so long? your guardian is kind to you beyond conception. What difficulties can you have to overcome? Miss Har. Why, the difficulty of declaring my sentiments. Lucy. Leave that to me, miss. But your spark, with all his accomplishments, must have very little penetration, not to have discovered his good fortune in your eyes. Miss Har. I take care that my eyes don't tell too much; and he has too much delicacy to interpret looks to his advantage. Besides, he would certainly disapprove my passion, and if I should ever make the declaration and meet with a denial, I should absolutely die with shame. Lucy. I'll insure your life for a silver thimble, But what can possibly hinder your coming together? Miss Har. His excess of merit. Lucy. His excess of a fiddlestick! But come, I'll put you in the way: you shall trust me with the secret; I'll intrust it again to half a dozen friends; they shall intrust it to half a dozen more, by which means, it will travel half the town over in a week's time: the gentleman will certainly hear of it; and then, if he is not at your feet in the fetching of a sigh, I'll give up all my perquisites at your wedding. What is his name, miss? Miss Hur. I cannot tell you his name-indeed I cannot; I am afraid of being thought too singular. But why should I be ashamed of my passion? Is the impression, which a virtuous character makes upon our hearts, such a weakness, that it may not be excused? Lucy. By my faith, miss, I can't understand you: you are afraid of being thought singular, and you really are so ; I would sooner renounce all the passions in the universe, than have one in my bosom beating and fluttering itself to pieces. Come, come, miss, open the window, and let the poor devil out. Enter HEARTLY. Heart. Leave us, Lucy. Heart. Don't be uneasy; for I can with pleasure assure you, that your passion is returned with equal tenderness. Miss Har. If you are not deceived, I cannot be more happy. Heart. I think I am not deceived. But, after the declaration you have made, and the assurances which I have given you, why will you conceal it any longer? Have I not deserved a little more confidence from you? Miss Har. You have, indeed, deserved it, and should certainly have it, were I not well assured that you would oppose my inclinations. Heart. I oppose them! Am I, then, so unkind to you, my dear? Can you in the least doubt of my affection for you? I promise you that I have no will but yours. Miss Har. Since you desire it, then, I will endeavour to explain myself. Heart. I am all attention-speak, my dear. Miss Har. And if I do, I feel I shall never be able to speak to you again. Heart. How can that be, when I shall agree with you in every thing. Miss Har. Indeed you won't: pray let me retire to my own chamber-I am not well, sir. Lucy. There's something going forward: 'tis Heart. I see your delicacy is hurt, my dear : very hard I can't be of the party. [Exit Lucy. but let me entreat you once more to confide in Heart. She certainly thinks, from the charac-me. Tell me his name, and the next moment I ter of the young man, that I shall disapprove of will go to him, and assure him, that my consent her choice. [Aside. shall confirm both your happiness. Miss Har. What can I possibly say to him? Iam as much ashamed to make the declaration, as he would be to understand it. [Aside. Heart. Don't imagine, my dear, that I would know more of your thoughts than you desire I should; but the tender care which I have ever shewn, and the sincere friendship which I shall always have for you, give me a sort of right to inquire into every thing that concerus you. Some friends have spoken to me in particular. But that is not all. I have lately found you thoughtful, absent, and disturbed. Be plain with me- -Has not somebody been happy enough to please you. Miss Hur. I cannot deny it, sir: yes: somebody, indeed, has pleased me-but I must entreat you not to give credit to any idle stories, or inquire farther into the particulars of my inclination; for I cannot possibly have resolution enough to say more to you. Heart. But have you made a choice, my dear. Miss Har. I have in my own mind, sir; and 'tis impossible to make a better-reason, honour, every thing must approve it. Miss Har. You will easily find him: And when you have, pray tell him how improper it is for a young woman to speak first: Persuade him to spare my blushes, and to release me from so terrible a situation. I shall leave him with you-and hope that this declaration will make it impossible for you to mistake me any longer. [HARRIET is going but, upon seeing YOUNG CLACKIT, remains upon the stage. Heart. Are we not alone? What can this mean? [Aside. Young Cla. A-propos, faith! here they are together! Heart. I did not see him; but now the riddle's explained. [Aside. Miss Har. What can he want now ?-This is the most spiteful interruption! Young Cla. By your leave, Mr. Heartly[Crosses him to go to HARRIET.-Have I caught you at last my divine Harriet! Well, Mr. Heartly, sans façon-But what's the matter? ho! Things look a little gloomy here: One mutters to himself, and gives me no answer; and the other turns the head and |