Class. Let Sir John know that I would wait on him myself, but I dont think it safe to quit the house an instant. Rog. Ay, ay. [Exit ROGER. Class. I Suppose by this time, matters are pretty well settled within, and my absence only wanted to accomplish the scene; but I shall take care to-Oh! Mr. Subtle and his lady. [Exit CLASSIC. Enter MR, and MRS. SUBTLE. Mrs. Sub. Oh, delightfully! Now, my dearest, I hope you will no longer dispute my abilities for forming a female ? Mr. Sub. Never, never: How the baggage leered! Mrs. Sub. And the booby gaped ! Mr. Sub. So kind, and yet so coy; so free, but then so reserved: Oh, she has him! Mrs. Sub. Ay, ay; the fish is hooked: but then safely to land him- -Is Classic suspicious? Mr. Sub. Not that I observe; but the secret must soon be blazed. Mrs. Sub. A rival. Mr. Sub. Who? Mrs. Sub. The language master: he may be easily equipt for the expedition; a second-hand tawdry suit of cloaths will pass him on our countryman for a marquis; and then to excuse his speaking our language so well, he may have been educated early in England. But hush! The squire approaches; don't seem to observe him. Enter BUCK. For my part, I never saw any thing so altered since I was born: In my conscience, I believe she's in love with him. Buck. Hush! Mr. Sub. D'ye think so? [Aside. Mrs. Sub. Why, where's the wonder? He's a pretty, good-humoured, sprightly fellow : and, for the time, such an improvement! Why, he wears his clothes as easily, and moves as genteelly, as if he had been at Paris these twenty years. Mr. Sub. Indeed! How does he dance? Mrs. Sub. Why, he has had but three lessons from Marseil, and he moves already like Duprè. Oh! three months stay here will render him a perfect model for the English court! Mr. Sub. Gadso! No wonder, then, with these qualities that he has caught the heart of my ward; but we must take care that the girl does nothing imprudent. Mrs. Sub. Ob, dismiss your fears; her family, good sense, and, more than all, her being edu Mrs. Sub. Therefore dispatch: I have laid a cated under my eye, render them unnecessary; trap to inflame bis affection. Mr. Sub. How? Mrs Sub. He shall be treated with a display of Lucy's talents; her singing and dancing. Mr. Sub. Psha! Her singing and dancing! Mrs. Sub. Ah! You don't know, husband, half the force of these accomplishments in a fashionable figure. Mr. Sub. I doubt her execution. Mrs. Sub. You have no reason; she does both well enough to flatter a fool, especially with love for her second: besides, I have a coup de maitre, a sure card. Mr. Sub. What's that? besides, Mr. Buck is too much a man of honour Mrs. Sub. Now for a puzzling scene: I long to know how he'll begin.[Aside.]Well, Mr. Buck, your commands with me, sir? Buck. Why, madan-I, ah,-I, ah-but let's shut the door: I was, madam-ah! ah! Can't you guess what I want to talk about? Mrs. Sub. Not I, indeed, sir. Buck. Well, but try; upon my soul, I'll tell you if you are right. Mrs. Sub. It will be impossible for me to divine-But come, open a little. Buck. Why have you observed nothing? Buck. Why, about me. Mrs. Sub. Yes; you are new dressed, and your clothes become you. Buck. Pretty well: but it an't that. Buck. Why, ah! ah! upon my soul, I can't bring it out! Mrs. Sub. Nay, then, 'tis no purpose to wait: write your mind. Buck. No, no; stop a moment, and I will tell. Mrs. Sub. Be expeditious then. how the devil you got them. All that I wanted to say was, that Miss Lucy was a fine wench; and if she was as willing as me Mrs. Sub. Willing! Sir! What demonBuck. If you are in your airs again, I may as well decamp. Mrs. Sub. I am calm; go on. Buck. Why, that if she liked me as well as I liked her, we might, perhaps, if you liked it too, be married together. Mrs. Sub. Oh, sir! if that was indeed your drift, I am satisfied. But don't indulge your wish to much; there are numerous obstacles; your father's consent, the law of the land Buck. What laws? Mrs. Sub. All clandestine marriages are void in this country. Buck. Damn this country!-In London now, a footmau may drive to May-fair, and in five minutes be tacked to a countess; but there's no liberty here. Mrs. Sub. Some inconsiderate couples have indeed gone off post to Protestant states; but I hope my ward will have more prudence. Buck. Well, well, leave that to me. D'ye Buck. Why, I wanted to talk about Miss Lu- think she likes me? cinda. Mrs. Sub. What of her? Buck. She's a bloody fine girl; and I should be glad to Mrs. Sub. To-Bless me! What, Mr. Buck, and in my house? Oh, Mr. Buck, you have deceived me! Little did I think, that, under the appearance of so much honesty, you could go Buck. Hey-day! Mrs. Sub. And me, sir; where had you your thoughts of me? How dared you suppose that I would connive at such a Buck. The woman is bewitched. Mrs. Sub. I whose untainted reputation the blistering tongue of slander never blasted. Full fifteen years, in wedlock's sacred bands, have I lived unreproached; and now to Buck. Odd's fury! She's in heroics. Mrs. Sub. And this from you too, whose fair outside and bewitching tongue had so far lulled my fears, I dared have trusted all my daughters, nay myself too, singly, with you. Buck. Upon my soul, and so you might safely. Mrs. Sub. Well, sir, and what have you to urge in your defence? Buck. Oh, oh! What, you are got pretty well to the end of your line, are you? And now, if you'll be quiet a bit, we may make a shift to understand one another a little. Mrs. Sub. Be quick, and ease me of my fears. Buck. Ease you of your fears! I don't know Mrs. Sub. Why to deal candidly with you, she does. Buck. A brave spirited girl! She'll take a five-barred gate in a fortnight. Gam. The conversation of the court your ladyship has engrossed, ever since you last honoured it with your appearance. Luc. Oh, you flatterer! have I? Well, and what fresh victims? But it is impossible; the sunshine of a northern beauty is too feeble to thaw the icy heart of a French courtier. Gam. What injustice to your own charms and our discernment! Luc. Indeed! nay, I care not-if I have fire enough to warm one British bosom, rule! rule! ye Paris belles! I envy not your conquests. Mrs. Sub. Meaning you. Buck. Indeed! Mrs. Sub. Certain ! Buck. Hush! Luc. But come, a truce to gallantry, Gamut, and to the business of the day. Oh! I am quite I enchanted with this new instrument; 'tis so languishing and so portable, and so soft and so silly -But come! for your last lesson. Gam. D'ye like the words? Luc. Oh, charming! They are so melting, and easy, and elegant. Now for a coup d'essai. Gam. Take care of your expression; let your eyes and address accompany the sound and sen timent. Luc. But, dear Gamut, if I am out, don't interrupt me; correct me afterwards. Gam. Allons, commencez. [LUCINDA Sings. [An occasional song is here introduced by LUCINDA.] Gam. Bravo, bravo! Buck. Bravo! bravissimo! My lady, what was the song about? and sing, and drive care to the- -Ha! Monsieur Kitteau! have you practised this morning? Luc. I had just given my hand to Kitteau before you came. Mar. I was in hopes that honour would have been reserved for me. May I flatter myself that your ladyship will do me the honour of venturing upon the fatigue of another minuet this morning with me? Enter Buck briskly Takes her hand. Buck. Not that you know of, Monsieur. [Aside to MRS. SUBTLE.peat that word bete, I shall make you swallow Mrs. Sub. Love: 'tis her own composing. Buck. What, does she make verses then? Mrs. Sub. Finely. I take you to be the subject of these. men. Mar. Quelle savage! Buck. And another word; as I know you can speak very good English, if you will, when you don't, I shall take it for granted you're abusing some, and treat you accordingly. Buck. Ah! d'ye think so? Gad! I thought by her ogling, 'twas the music-man himself. Luc. Well, Mr. Gamut; tolerably well, for young a scholar? Gam. Inimitably, Madam! Your ladyship's progress will undoubtably fix my fortune. Enter Servant. Luc. Your servant, sir. Mar. Cavalier enough! But you are protected here. Mademoiselle, who is this officious gentle man? How comes he to be interested? Some relation, I suppose? Buck. No; I'm a lover. Mar. Oh! Oh! a rival! Eh marbleu a dangerous one too. Ha, ha! Well, Monsieur, what, Ser. Madam, your dancing-master, Monsieur and I suppose you presume to give laws to this Kitteau. lady; and are determined, out of your very great and singular affection, to knock down every mortal she likes, a-la-mode d'Angleterre ? Hey, Monsieur Roast-beef? Buck. No; but I intend that lady for my wife: consider her as such; and don't choose to have her soiled by the impertinent addresses of every French fop, a-la-mode de Paris, Monsieur Fricassy! the Mar. Fricassy! Buck. We. Luc. A truce, a trucc, I beseech you, gentlemen: it seems I am the golden prize for which you plead; produce your pretensions; you are representatives of your respective countries. Begin, marquis, for the honour of France; let me hear what advantages I am to derive from a Iconjugal union with you. Mar. Abstracted from those which I think are pretty visible, a perpetual residence in this paradise of pleasures; to be the object of universal adoration; to say what you please, go. where you will, do what you like, form fashions; hate your husband, and let him see it; indulge your gallant, and let the other know it; run in debt, and oblige the poor devil to pay it. He! Ma chere! There are pleasures for you. Luc. Bravo, marquis! these are allurements for a woman of spirit: but don't let us conclude hastily; hear the other side. What have you to offer, Mr. Buck, in favour of England? Buck. Why, madam, for a woman of spirit, they give you the same advantages at London as at Paris, with a privilege forgot by the marquis, an indisputable right to cheat at cards, in spite of detection. Mar. Pardon me, sir, we have the same; but I thought this privilege so known and universal, that 'twas needless to mention it. Buck. You give up nothing, I find: but to tell you my blunt thoughts in a word, if any woman can be so abandoned, as to rank amongst the comforts of matrimony, the privilege of hating her husband, and the liberty of committing every folly and every vice contained in your catalogue, she may stay single for me; for, damn me, if I am a husband fit for her humour! that's all. Mar. I told you, mademoiselle! Luc. But stay; what have you to offer as a counterbalance for these pleasures? Buck. Why, I have, madam, courage to protect you, good-nature to indulge your love, and health enough to make gallants useless, and too good a fortune to render running in debt necessary. Find that here, if you can. Mar. Bagatelle! Luc. Spoke with the sincerity of a Briton; and, as I don't perceive that I shall have any use for the fashionable liberties you propose, you'll pardon, marquis, my national prejudice; here's my hand, Mr. Buck. Buck. Servant, monsieur. Buck. No offence? Mar. Not in the least; I am only afraid the reputation of that lady's taste will suffer a little; and to shew her at once the difference of her choice, the preference, which if bestowed on me, would not fail to exasperate you, I support without murmuring; so, that favour which would probably have provoked my fate, is now your protection. Voila la politess Francoise, madam; I have the honour to be-Bon jour, monsieur.Tol de rol! [Exit MAR. Buck. The fellow bears it well. Now, if you'll give me your hand, we'll in, and settle matters with Mr. Subtle. Luc. 'Tis now my duty to obey. [Exeunt. Enter ROGER, peeping about. Rog. The coast is clear; sir, sir, you may come in now, Mr. Classic. Clas. Sir John, place yourself here, and be a witness how near a crisis is the fate of your family. Enter Buck and LUCINDA. Buck. Psha! What signifies her? 'Tis odds whether she would consent from the fear of my father. Besides, she told me we could never be married here; and so pack up a few things, and we'll off in a post-chaise directly. Luc. Stay, Mr. Buck, let me have a moment's reflection- -What am I about? Contriving, in concert with the most profligate couple that ever disgraced human nature, to impose an indigent orphan on the sole representative of a wealthy and honourable family! Is this a character becoming my birth and education? What must be the consequence? Sure detection and contempt; contempt even from him, when his passions cool. I have resolved, sir. Buck. Madam! Luc. As the expedition we are upon the point of taking, is to be a lasting one, we ought not to be over hasty in our resolution. Buck. Pshaw! Stuff! When a thing's resolved, the sooner 'tis over the better. Luc. But before it is absolutely resolved, give me leave to beg an answer to two questions. Buck. Make haste, then. Luc. What are your thoughts of me? Buck. Thoughts! Nay, I don't know; why, that you are a sensible, civil, handsome, handy girl, and will make a devilish good wife. That is all, I think. Luc. But of my rank and fortune ? Buck. Mr. Subtle says they are both great; termined to marry for love. but that's no business of mine; I was always de Luc. Generously said! My birth, I believe, won't disgrace you; but for my fortune, your friend, Mr. Subtle, I fear, has anticipated you there. Buck. Nay, I don't know ; but, pshaw !'zooks! this is like saying one's catechise. Luc. But don't you think your father's consent necessary? Buck. No: why 'tis I am to be married, and not he. But come along: old fellows love to be obstinate; but 'ecod I am as mulish as he; and to tell you the truth, if he had proposed me a wife, that would have been reason enough to make me dislike her; and I don't think I should be half so hot about marrying you, only I thought 'twould plague the old fellow damnably. So, my pretty partner, come along; let us have no nay, I demand it; you have wronged me, and must do me justice. more Enter SIR JOHN BUCK, and CLASSIC. Clas. I am sure, madam, Sir John will be glad to find his fears are false; but you cannot blame him. Sir John. Sir, I om obliged to you for this deLuc. I don't, sir; and I shall but little tresclaration, as, to it, I owe the entire subjection pass on his patience. When you know, sir, that of that paternal weakness which has hitherto I am the orphan of an honourable and once suspended the correction your abandoned liber-wealthy family, whom her father, misguided by tinism has long provoked. You have forgot the duty you owe a father, disclaimed my protection, cancelled the natural covenant between us; 'tis time I now should give you up to the guidance of your own guilty passions, and treat you as a stranger to my blood for ever. Buck. I told you what would happen if he should come; but you may thank yourself. Sir John. Equally weak as wicked, the dupe of a raw, giddy girl. But, proceed, sir; you have nothing farther to fear from me; complete your project, and add her ruin to your own. Buck Sir, as to me, you may say what you please; but for the young woman, she does not deserve it; but now she wanted me to get your consent, and told me that she had never a penny portion into the bargain. of pernicious politics, brought with him, in her ear- Luc. But when you know that, plundered of Sir John. Proceed. Luc. To this, when you are told, that, previous to your coming, I had determined never to wed your son, at least without your knowledge and acquit me. and consent, I hope your justice then will credit Sir John. A stale obvious artifice! She knew the discovery of the fraud must follow close on your inconsiderate marriage, and would then moving: I hope 'tis true. Sir John. Madam, your tale is plausible and Here comes the explead the merits of her prior candid discovery.plainer of this riddle. The lady, doubtless, sir, has other secrets to disclose; but as her cunning revealed the first, her policy will preserve the rest. Luc. What secrets? Buck. Be quiet, I tell you; let him alone, and he'll cool of himself by-and-by. Luc. Sir, I am yet the protectress of my own honour; in justice to that, I must demand an explanation. What secrets, sir? Sir John. Oh, perhaps, a thousand! But I am to blame to call them secrets; the customs of this gay country give sanction, and stamp merit upon vice! and vanity will here proclaim, what modesty would elsewhere blush to whisper. Luc. Modesty! You suspect my virtue, then? Sir John. You are a lady; but the fears of a father may be permitted to neglect a little your plan of politeness: therefore, to be plain, from your residence in this house, from your connection with these people, and from the scheme which my presence has interrupted, I have suspicions of what nature, ask yourself. Luc. Sir, you have reason; appearances are against me, I confess; but when you have heard my melancholy story, you'll own you have wronged me, and learn to pity her, whom you now hate. Sir John. Madam, you misemploy your time; there tell your story, there it will be believed; I am too knowing in the wiles of women to be softened by a syreu-tear, or imposed on by an artful tale. Luc. But hear me, sir; on my knees I beg it; Enter MR. and MRS. SUBTLE. Mr. Sub. Buck's father! Sir John. I'll take some other time, sir, to thank you for the last proofs of your friendship to my family; in the mean time be so candid as to instruct us in the knowledge of this lady, whom, it seems, you have chosen for the partner of my son. Mr. Sub. Mr. Buck's partner- -I choose- I—I | sir. Mr. Sub. Lady, sir? the lady's a gentlewoman, Sir John. By what means? Mr. Sub. By her father and mother. Mr. Sub. Her mother was of-I forgot her maiden name. Sir John. You han't forgot her father's? Mr. Sub. She has told it you, I suppose. Mr. Sub. 'twas Worthy. Sir John. Not the daughter of Sir Gilbert? -I, indeed, have |