Alive! Ay, and I believe I fha'n't be in a hurry to die again. Sir GEORGE. But, dear fir, the report of your death Don't ask any questions. Your uncle will you all. For my part, I am fick of the scheme. tell R. WEALTHY. I told you what would come of Sir WILLIAM. your politics. You did fo. But if it had not been for those clumsey scoundrels, the plot was as good a plot ་་ -O George, fuch difcoveries I have to make. Within I'll unravel the whole. Sir GEORGE. Perhaps, fir, I may match 'em. Sir. SHIFT. [Pulls him by the fleeve. Sir GEORGE. Never fear. It is impoffible, gentlemen, to determine your fate, till this matter is more fully explain'd. Till when, keep 'em in fafe cuftody- Do you know them, fir? Sir WILLIAM. Yes, but that's more than they did me. I can cancel your debts there, and, I believe, prevail on those gentlemen to refund too. But you have been a fad profligate young dog, George. Sir GEORGE. I can't boast of my goodness, fir, but I think I could produce you a proof, that I am not so totally deftitute of I have, fir, this day, refifted a temptation, that greater pretenders to morality might have yielded to. But I will truft myself no longer, and must crave your interpofition and pro tection. : To what? Sir WILLIAM, 15 Sir GEORG E. I will attend you with the explanation in an inftant. [Exit. I fuppofe the affair I overheard juft now, a prodigious fine elegant girl, faith; that, difcarded by her family, for refufing to marry her grand for grand-father, fell into the hands of the venerable lady you faw, who being the kind caterer your fon's amusements, brought her hither for a purpose obvious enough. But the young gentleman, touch'd with her ftory, truth and tears, was converted from the fpoiler of her honour, to the protector of her innocence. Sir WILLIA M. Look'e there, brother, did not I tell you that George was not fo bad at the bottom! R. WEALTHY. This does indeed attone for half the they are here. Enter Sir GEORGE and LUCY. Sir GEORGE. But Fear nothing, madam, you may fafely rely on the My father! LUCY. R. WEALTHY. Lucy! LUCY. Ó, fir, can you forgive your poor distrest unhappy girl? You fcarce can guess how hardly. I've been us'd, fince my banishment from your paternal roof. Want, pining want, anguish and shame, have been my conftant partners. Brother! Sir WILLIAM, Rife, child, 'tis I muft afk of thee forgiveness, Can'ft thou forget the woes I've made thee fuffer? Come to my arms once more, thou darling of my age. What mifchief had my rashness nearly completed. Nephew, I scarce can thank you as I ought, but Sir GEORGE. I am richly paid, in being the happy inftru- ment Name it. R. WEALTHY. Sir GEORGE. That you would forgive my follies of to-day; and, as I have been providentially the occafional guardian of your daughter's honour, that would bestow on me that right for life. R. WEALTHY. you That must depend on Lucy; her will, not mine, fhall now direct her choice fays your father? Sir WILLIAM. What Me! Oh, I'll fhew you in an inftant. Give me your hands. There, children, now you are join'd, and the devil take him that wishes to part you. Now, brother, I hope, you will allow me to be a good plotter. All this was brought to bear by my means. SHIFT. With my affiftance, I hope, you'll own, fir. Sir WILLIAM. That's true, honeft Shift, and thou shalt be richly rewarded; nay, George fhall be your friend too. This Shift is an ingenious fellow, let me tell you, fon. Sir GE O/R G E. I am no ftranger to his abilities, fir. But, if you please, we will retire. The various ftruggles of this fair fufferer require the foothing foftness of a fifter's love. And now, fir, I hope your fears for me are over; for had I not this motive to reftrain my follies; yet now know the town too well to be ever its bubble, and will take care to preserve, at least, Some more estate, and principles, and wit, |