. Sir James. One that does me too much honour, I own, the bringing about a union between Mifs Lucy and me." Lady Rifc. A moft probable ftory, indeed:. your informer's name, if you please. Sir James. A fervant who has oft attended me here. Lady Rifc. And he receiv'd it from Sir James One of your Ladyfhip's women; there the stands, I believe. Lydia. Is it poffible that you, KittySir Rob. Patience, Lydia, a moment. Lady Rifc. And you think this paltry plot, obviously fram'd by a couple of fervants, (unlefs you condefcend to be the contriver yourfelf) will juftify you in bringing this charge against a person of my rank and condition. Sir Rob. Fie, fie, Sir James, that is too presumptuous indeed. Sir James. Why, I fhould not have ventur'd, I believe, if I had not to produce a more unexceptionable witnefs than thefe. Lady Rife. Name the perfon directly. Sir James. There is a little billet contain'd in this letter, where your ladyfhip promifes a capital fun, when some certain fervices are fully perform'd. Sir Rob. Ey your leave, Sir James, let me look. Oh, clear, clear, it is her hand, there is no denying of this. Sir James. I fancy Mrs. Kitty will own it. Otherwife my fervant is below to confront her. I 2 Sir Sir Rob. Well, what reply do you make to all this? Kitty. I beg pardon, Sir, of my Miftrefs, and you. Sir Rob. Pardon ! Kitty. I own the accufation is juft, though I little thought Mr. Robin would betray me. Sir Rob. Do you? and what an ungrateful wretch muft you be? you have been but a poor inftrument only. But is it poffible you, Lady Riscounter, could fo entirely forget what you owe to me, and your Lady Rifc. I fee, Sir Robert, you are fo far prepoffefs'd, that all I can fay Sir Rob. Say, Madam? what can be faid for fuch Lady Rife. Nay, Sir, I am not going to make a formal defence, it is not worth my while, nor would you have leifure to hear it: if you will walk down, you will find another fort of bufinefs, that demands your attention. Sir Rob. Madam! Lady Rifc. The Houfe fill'd with a new kind of cuftomers. Lydia, Sir Robert, Sir James. How! Lady Rifc. Only an extent, to feize on all his effects. Lydia, Sir Robert, Sir James. Is it poffible! Lady Rifc. The world will therefore fee how ill I am treated-but don't imagine, Sir Robert, that the provifion I derive from her father, fhall be lavifhed to leffen your debts, or be employ'd in fupport of their author. Lucy. Your Ladyfhip will have more prudence, no doubt. Lady Lady Rifc. No, child, we will quit this manfion directly, and leave him for confolation to the care of his daughter. Lydia. A more precious truft, I could never receive. Your treachery to me, Madam, I could both defpife and forgive: but your infolent triumph, at the distress of an unfortunate hufband, gives you a pre-eminence above the worst of your fex. If, Sir, what you are pleased to call mine, can either. reinftate, or affift you, I beg it may be all employ'd in the service. Sir Rob. Nay, pr'ythee, Lydia Lydia. You fee, Sir James Biddulph, there are new obftacles oppos'd to your purpose. Sir James. If you mean thofe her ladyship has been pleafed to produce, they add only an additional strength to my wishes. The piety with which this great, this first duty is dif charg'd, muft accompany every other relation in life. I applaud, and fhall be happy to join in your purpose. Lady Rifc. Come, Lucy, let us leave thefe romantick creatures together, they are only fit for each other; when your effects are convey'd to proper truftees, I fhall take care to put in my claim. [Exeunt Lady Rifcounter and Lucy. Sir Rob. Unfeeling, infolent woman! but thy goodnefs, Lydia, fupplies every lois, nor will my creditors, when they find I never deceiv'd them, take advantage of thy filial affection. Enter a Clerk. What now? Clerk. Clerk. The Dutch mail is arrived. Sir Rob. Any private letters from Hol land? Clerk. Your Correfpondents, Sir, have honour'd your bills. Sir Rob. Clerk. Sir Rob. tion. And discharg'd them? Every one. And the report of their failingWas without the fmalleft founda Sir Rob. Heaven be prais'd; now, Lydia, thy father can look again with confidence in the face of his friends. Lydia. A more real tranfport could never have reach'd me! Sir Rob. I know it, Lydia, I know it. This gentleman will both thank and reward you. Clerk. Sir, I would beg juft to Sir Rob. I guess what you mean; fome inquifitive perfons below; they fhall be fatisfied foon. I will attend them directly. [Exit Clerk. Sir James. Give me leave to join in the general joy. But what, Sir Robert, shall we do with this paper? I fancy my man is in waiting; Robin. Sir. Enter Robin Sir James. You have been of fingular fervice to-day, which I fhall take good care to acknowledge. The worth of this note, as the conditions have fail'd Robin. Like many more of its kindred, is reduc'd to wafte paper, your honour! but as this happy turn has been chiefly owing to Kitty, I hope fhe will be reftor'd to favour again. Sir James. But confider, Robin, that was not her intention. Robin. tation But recollect, Sir, the Sir Rob. But the treachery- the temp Sir Rob. That is true-as many, her fuperiors, tho' perhaps not her betters, are daily detected in doing things more criminal for lefs confideration, it is fome excufe, I confess. But what fays my Lydia? Lydia. I fhall be directed by you. Sir Rob. And now, my children, nothing remains but the laft act, to establish your union, and if (as I am refolved to difengage myself from that bad woman, and the other cares of this world) you will fuffer me to be a partaker of your domeftic felicity—— Sir James, Lydia. You cannot in any thing oblige us fo much. Sir Rob. That is all I have to afk of you, or the world. [Exeunt. THE END. |
