murrain mun I pass my time here, in a strange place? Naw you and I, and sister, forsooth, sometimes, in an afternoon, may play at one and thirty bone-ace, purely.

Jenny. Speak for yourself, sir: d'ye think I play at such clownish games?

Squire R. Why, and you woant, you ma' let it aloane; then she and I, mayhap, will have a bawt at all-fours without you.

Sir F. Noa, noa, Dick, that won't do neither; you must learn to make one at ombre, here, child.

Myr. If master pleases, I'll shew it him. Squire R. What the Humber! Hoy-day! why, does our river run to this tawn, feyther.

Sir F. Pooh! you silly tony! ombre is a geam at cards, that the better sort of people play three together at.

Squire R. Nay, the moare the merrier, I say; but sister is always so cross-grained

Jenny. Lord! this boy is enough to deaf people, and one has really been stuffed up in a coach so long that Pray, madam, could not I look at a glass for my hair?

Myr. If you please to come along with me, madam. [Exeunt Myrtilla and Jenny. Squire R. What, has sister taken her away, naw! mess, I'll go and have a little game with them.

[Exit. Lady W. Well, Count, I hope you won't so far change your lodgings, but you will come and be at home here sometimes.

Sir F. Ay, ay, pr'ythee, come and take a bit of mutton with us naw and tan, when thou'st nought to do.

Count B. Well, Sir Francis, you shall find I'll make but very little ceremony.

Sir F. Why, ay now, that's hearty.

Mrs. M. Will your ladyship please to refresh yourself with a dish of tea after your fatigue?

Lady W. If you please, Mrs. Motherly; but I believe we had best have it above stairs. [Exit Mrs. Motherly.] Won't you walk up, sir?

Sir F. Moody!

Count B. Sha'n't we stay for Sir Francis, madam? Lady W. Lord, don't mind him! he will come if he likes it. [look after. Sir F. Ay, ay, ne'er heed me; I have things to [Exeunt Lady Wronghead and Count Basset. Enter JOHN MOODY. Moody. Did your worship want muh? Sir F. Ay, is the coach cleared, and all our things in?

Moody. Aw but a few band-boxes and the nook that's left o' the goose poy. But, a plague on him, the monkey has gin us the slip, I think; I suppose he's gone to see his relations; for here looks to be a power of um in this tawn; but heavy Ralph has skawered after him.

Sir F. Why, let him go to the devil! no matter and the hawnds had had him a month agoe. But I wish the coach and horses were got safe to the inn! This is a sharp tawn, we mun look about us here, John; therefore I would have you go along with Roger, and see that nobody runs away with them before they get to the stable.

Moody. Alas a day! sir, I believe our auld cattle won't yeasly be run away with to-night; but howsomdever, we'st ta' the best care we can of um, poor souls!

Sir F. Well, well, make haste then. (Moody goes out and returns.)

Moody. Ods flesh! here's Master Monly come to wait upo' your worship!

Sir F. Where is he?

Moody. Just coming in at threshold.

Cousin Manly! sir, I am your very humble servant. Man. I heard you were come, Sir Francis-and Sir F. Ods heart! this was so koindly done of you, naw!

Man. I wish you may think it so, cousin! for I confess, I should have been better pleased to have seen you in any other place.

Sir F. How soa, sir?

[cerned. Man. Nay, 'tis for your own sake; I'm not conSir F. Look you, cousin; tho'f I know you wish me well, yet I don't question I shall give you such weighty reasons for what I have done, that you will say, sir, this is the wisest journey, that ever I made in my life.

Man. I think it ought to be, cousin; for I believe you will find it the most expensive one; your election did not cost you a trifle, I suppose.

Sir F. Why, ay! it's true; That, that did lick a little; but if a man's wise (and I ha'n't found yet that I'm a fool.) there are ways, cousin, to lick one's self whole again.

Man. Nay, if you have that secret

Sir F. Don't you be fearful, cousin; you'll find that I know something.

Man. If it be anything for your good, I should be glad to know it too.

Sir F. In short, then, I have a friend in a corner, that has let me a little into what's what at Westminster, that's one thing. [you?

Man. Very well! but what good is that to do Sir F. Why not me, as much as it does other folks? Man. Other people, I doubt, have the advantage of different qualifications.

Sir F. Why, ay! there's it naw! you'll say that I have lived all my days i' the country, what then? I'm o' the quorum; I have been at sessions, and I have made speeches there; ay, and at vestry too; and, mayhap, they may find here, that I have brought my tongue up to town with me! D'ye take me naw?

Man. If I take your case right, cousin, I am afraid the first occasion you will have for your eloquence here, will be, to shew whether you have any right to make use of it at all.

Sir F. How d'ye mean?

Man. That Sir John Worthland has lodged a petition against you.

Sir F. Petition! why, ay! there let it lie, we'll find a way to deal with that, I warrant you! Why yoa forget, cousin, Sir John's o' the wrong side,

mon!

Man. I doubt, Sir Francis, that will do you but little service, for, in cases very notorious, which I take yours to be, there is such a thing as a short day, and despatching them immediately.

Sir F. With all my heart! the sooner I send him home again the better.

Man. And this is the scheme you have laid down to repair your fortune.

Sir F. In one word, cousin, I think it my duty. The wrongheads have been a considerable family ever since England was England: and since the world knaws I have talents wherewithal, they sha'n't say it's my fault, if I don't make as good a figure as any one that ever were at the head on't,

Man. Nay, this project, as you have laid it, will come up to anything your ancestors have done these five hundred years

Sir F. And let me alone to work it: mayhap I hav'n't told you all, neither.

Man. You astonish me! what, and is it full as practicable as what you have told me?

Sir F. Ay, tho'f I say it-every whit, cousin. You'll find that I have more irons i' the fire than one; I doan't come of a fool's errand!

Man. Very well.

Sir F. In a word, my wife has got a friend at court as well as myself, and her dowghter Jenny is naw pretty well grown up.

Man. Your most obedient servant, madam; I am glad to see your ladyship look so well after your journey.

Lady W. Why, really coming to London is apt to put a little more life in one's looks.

Man. Yet the way of living here is very apt to deaden the complexion; and givo me leave to tell you, as a friend, madam, you are come to the worst place in the world for a good woman to grow bet

them too.

Sir F. She is but just taking a dish of tea with the Count and my landlady; I'll call her down.

Man. No, no; if she's engaged, I shall call again Sir F. Ods heart! but you mun see her naw, cousin; what! the best friend I have in the world! Here, sweetheart! (to a servant without) pr'ythee, desire the lady and the gentleman to come down a bit; tell her here's cousin Manly come to wait upon her.

Man. Pray, sir, who may the gentleman be? Sir F. You mun know him, to be sure; why, it's Count Basset.

Man. Oh; is it he? Your family will be infinitely happy in his acquaintance.

Sir F. Troth, I think so too: he's the civilest man that ever I knew in my life. Why, here he would go out of his own lodgings, at an hour's warning, purely to oblige my family. Wasn't that kind naw?

Man. Extremely civil! The family is in admirable hands already. (Aside.)

Sir F. Then my lady likes him hugely; all the time of York races she would never be without him. Man. That was happy, indeed! and a prudent man, you know, should always take care that his wife may have innocent company.

Sir F. Why, ay! that's it! and I think there could not be such another.

Man. Why truly, for her purpose, I think not. Sir F. Only naw and tan, he-he stands a leetle too much upon ceremony; that's his fault.

Man. Oh, never fear! he'll mend that every day! Mercy on us! what a head he has! (Aside.) Sir F. So, here they come.

Enter LADY WRONGHEAD and COUNT BASSET.

Lady W. Cousin Manly, this is infinitely obliging; I am extremely glad to see you.

Lady W. Lord, cousin, how should people ever make any figure in life, that are always moped up in the country?

Count B. Your ladyship certainly takes the thing in quite a right light, madam. Mr. Manly, your humble servant; a-hem!

Man. Familiar puppy! Aside. Sir, your most obedient; I must be civil to the rascal, to cover my suspicion of him. (Aside.)

Count B. Was you at White's this morning, sir? Man. Yes, sir, I just called in. [there? Count B. Pray, what-was there anything done Man. Much as usual, sir; the same daily carcasses, and the same crows about them.

Count B. The Demoivre baronet had a tumble yesterday.

Man. I hope, sir, you had your share of him. Count B. No, faith: I came in when it was all over; I think I just made a couple of bets with him, took up a cool hundred, and so went to the King's Arms.

Lady W. What a genteel easy manner he has! (Aside.)

Man. A very hopeful acquaintance I have made here. (Aside.)

Enter SQUIRE RICHARD, with a wet brown paper on his face.

Sir F. How naw, Dick; what's the matter with thy forehead, lad?

Squire R. I ha' gotten a knock upon't!

Lady W. And how did you come by it, you heedless creature?

Squire R. Why, I was but runring after sister, and t'other young woman, into a little room just naw; and so with that they slapped the door full in my face, and gave me such a whurr here, I thought they had beaten my brains out; so I got a dab of wet brown paper here to swage it awhile.

Lady W. They served you right enough; will you never have done with your horse play?

Sir F. Pooh, never heed it, lad; it will be well by to-morrow; the boy has a strong head. Man. Yes, truly, his skull seems to be of a comfortable thickness! (Aside.)

Sir F. Come, Dick, here's cousin Manly. Sir, this is your godson.

Squire R. Honoured godfeyther! I crave leave to ask your blessing.

Man. Thou hast it, child; and if it will do thee any good, may it be to make thee at least as wise a muan as thy father.

Enter MISS JENNY and MRS. MOTHERLY. Lady W. Oh, here's my daughter, too! Miss Jenny, don't you see your cousin, child?

Man. And as as for thee, my pretty dear, (salutes her.) may'st thou be, at least, as good a woman as thy mother!

Jenny. I wish I may ever be so handsome, sir. Man. Hah, miss Pert! now that's a thought that seems to have been hatched in the girl on this side Highgate. (Aside.)

Sir F. Her tongue is a little nimble, sir.

Lady W. That's only from her country education, Sir Francis. You know she has been kept too

ong there; so I brought her to London, sir, to learn a little more reserve and modesty.

Man. Oh, the best place in the world for it! every woman she meets will teach her something of it. There's the good gentlewoman in the house looks like a knowing person; even she, perhaps, will be so good as to shew her a little London behaviour.

Mrs. M. Alas, sir, miss won't stand long in need of my instruction!

Man. That, I dare say-What thou canst teach her, she will soon be mistress of. (Aside.)

Mrs. M. If she does, sir, they shall always be at her service.

Lady W. Very obliging indeed, Mrs. Motherly. Sir F. Very kind and civil, truly! I think we are got into a mighty good hawse here.

Man. Oh, yes! and very friendly company. Count B. Humph! Egad, I don't like his looks, he seems a little smoky: I believe I had as good brush off. If I stay, I don't know but he may ask me some odd questions. (Aside.)

Man. Well, sir, I believe you and I do but hinder the family.

Count B. It's very true, sir; I was just thinking of going. He don't care to leave me, I see; but it's no matter, we have time enough. (Aside.) And so, ladies, without ceremony, your humble servant. (Drops a letter and exit.) Lady W. Ha! what paper's this? Some billetdoux, I'll lay my life; but this is no place to examine it.

(Puts it into her pocket. Manly offers to go.) Sir F. Why in such haste, cousin? Man. Oh, my lady must have a great many affairs upon her hands after such a journey.

Lady W. I believe, sir, I shall not have much less every day, while I stay in this town, of one sort or other.

Man. Why, truly, ladies seldom want employment here, madam.

Jenny. And mamma did not come to it to be idle, sir. [mistress? Man. Nor you neither, I dare swear, my young Jenny. I hope not, sir. [sir?

Man. Ha, miss Mettle! Where are you going, Sir F. Only to see you to the door, sir.

Man. Oh! Sir Francis, I love to come and go without ceremony!

Sir F. Nay, sir, I must do as you will have me; your humble servant. [Exit Manly. Jenny. This cousin Manly, papa, seems to be but of an odd sort of a crusty humour. I don't like him half so well as the Count.

Sir F. Pooh! that's another thing, child. Cousin is a little proud, indeed! but, however, you must always be civil to him, for he has a deal of money; and nobody knows who he may give it to.

Lady W. Psha! a fig for his money! you have so mary projects of late, about money, since you are a parliament man! What, we must make ourselves slaves to his impertinent humours, eight or ten years, perhaps, in hopes to be his heirs! and when he will be just old enough to marry his maid.

Mrs. M. Nay, for that matter, madam, the town says he is going to be married already.

Sir F. Who! cousin Manly?

Lady W. To whom, pray?

Mrs. M. Why, is it possible your ladyship should know nothing of it? to my Lord Townly's sister, Lady Grace.

Sir F. Naw I do; for then it's likely it mayn't be true.

Lady W. If it is not too far gone: at least it may be worth one's while to throw a rub in his way. (Aside.)

Squire R. Pray, feyther, haw long will it be to supper?

Sir F. Odso, that's true! step to the cook, lad, and ask what she can get us.

Mrs. M. If you please, sir, I'll order one of my maids to shew her where she may have anything you have a mind to. [Exit.

Sir F. Thank you kindly, Mrs. Motherly. Squire R. Ods flesh! what, is not it i' the hawse yet? I shall be famished- but hawld! I'll go and ask Doll an' there's none o' the goose poy left.

Sir F. Do so; and dost hear, Dick? see if there's e'er a bottle o' the strong beer, that came i' th' coach with us; if there be, clap a toast in it, and bring it up.

Squire R. With a little nutmeg and sugar, shawn'a I, feyther?

Sir F. Ay, ay, as thee and I always drink it for breakfast. Go thy ways. [Exit Squire Richard. Lady W. This boy is always thinking of his belly. Sir F. Why, my dear, you may allow him to be a little hungry, after his journey.

Lady W. Nay, e'en breed him your own way. He has been cramming, in or out of the coach, all this day. I am sure I wish my poor girl could eat a quarter as much.

Jenny. Oh, as for that, I could eat a great deal more, mamma! but then, mayhap, I should grow coarse, like him, and spoil my shape.

Enter SQUIRE RICHARD, with a full tankard. Squire R. Here, feyther, I ha' brought it; it's well I went as I did; for our Doll had just baked a toast, and was going to drink it herself.

Sir F. Why, then, here's to thee, Dick! (Drinks.)
Squire R. Thank you, feyther.

Lady W. Lord, Sir Francis, I wonder you can encourage the boy to swill so much of that luoberly liquor! it is enough to make him quite stupid! Squire R. Why, it never hurts me, mother; and I sleep like a hawnd after it. (Dri ks.) Sir F. I am sure I ha' drunk it these thirty years; and, by your leave, madam, I don't know that I want wit. Ha, ha!

Jenny. But you might have had a great deal more, papa, if you would have been governed by my mother.

Sir F. Daughter, he that is governed by his wife has no wit at all.

Jenny. Then I hope I shall marry a fool, sir; for I love to govern, dearly.

Sir F. You are too pert, child; it don't do well in a young woman.

Lady W. Pray, Sir Francis, don't snub her; she has a fine growing spirit; and if you check her so, you will make her as dull as her brother there.

Squire R. (After a long draught.) Indeed, mother, I think my sister is too forward.

Jenny. You! you think I'm too forward! sure brother mud! your head's too heavy to think of anything but your belly.

Lady W. Well said, miss! he's none of your master, though he is your elder brother.

Squire R. No, nor she shawn't be my mistress, while she's younger sister.

Sir F. Well said, Dick! shew them that stawt liquor makes a stawt heart, lad!

Squire R. So I will; and I'll drink agen for all (Drinks.)

Lady W. Lady Grace!

[papers. Mrs. M. Dear madam, it has been in the newsLady W. I don't like that neither.

her.

Enter JOHN MOODY. Sir F. So, John, how are the horses?

Moody. Troth, sir, I ha' noa good opinion o' this tawn; it's made up o' mischief, I think.

Sir F. What's the matter naw?

Moody. Why, I'll tell your worship; before we were gotten to the street end, with the coach here, a great luggerheaded cart, with wheels as thick as a brick wall, laid hawld on't, and has poo'd it aw to bits! Crack went the perch! down goes the coach! and whang says the glasses, all to shivers! Marcy upon us! and this be London, 'would we were all well in the country ageen!

Jenny. What have you to do, to wish us all in the country again, Mr. Lubber; I hope we shall not go into the country again these seven years, mamma; let twenty coaches be pulled to pieces. Sir F. Hold your tongue Jenny! no fault in all this?

Was Roger in

Moody. Noa, sir, nor I noither. "Are not yow ashamed," says Roger to the carter, "to do such an unkind thing by strangers?" Noa," says he you bumkin." Sir, he did the thing on very purpose! and so the folks said that stood by. "Very well," says Roger, "you shall see what our meyster will say to ye!" "Your meyster," says he, "your meyster may kiss my- and so he clapped his hand just there, and like your worship. Flesh! I thought they had better breeding in this town.

Sir F. I'll teach this rascal come, I'll warrant him! Odsbud, if I take him in hand, I'll play the devil with him! [parliament.

Squire R. Ay do, feyther; have him before the Sir F. Odsbud, and so I will! I will make him know who I am. Where does he live?

Moody. I believe, in London, sir.

Sir F. What's the rascal's name?

Lord T. No matter; it's five o'clock; she may break my rest, but she shall never alter my hours. Lady G. Nay, you need not fear that now, for she dines abroad.

Lord T. That I suppose, is only an excuse for her not being ready yet.

Lady G. No, upon my word, she is engaged in company.

Lord T. But, pyr'thee, sister, what humour is she in to-day?

Lady G. Oh! in tip-top spirits, I can assure you; she won a good deal last night.

Lord T. I know no difference between her winning or losing, while she continues her course of life. [than bad. Lady G. However, she is better in a good humour Lord T. Much alike: when she is in good humour, other people only are the better for it; when in a very ill humuur, then, indeed, I seldom fail to have a share of her.

Lady G. Well, we won't talk of that now. Does anybody dine here?

Lord T. Manly promised me. By the way, madam, what do you think of his last conversation?

Lady G. I am a little at a stand about it.

Lord T. How so?

Lady G. Why, I have received a letter this morning, that shews him a very different man from what I thought him.

Lord T. A letter! from whom?

Lady G. That I don't know; but here it is.

Lord T. Pray let's see.. (Reads.) "The enclosed, madam, fell accidentally into my hands: if it no way concerns you, you will only hare the trouble of reading this, from your sincere friend, and humble servant un

Sir F. Where did he go?
Moody. Sir, he went home.
Sir F. Where's that?

Moody. By my troth, sir, I doan't know! I heard him say he would cross the same street again tomorrow; and if we had a mind to stand in his way, he would pool us over and over again.

Sir F. Will he so? Odzooks, get me a constable!

Lady W. Pooh, get you a good supper! Come, Sir Francis, don't put yourself in a heat, for what can't be helped. Accidents will happen to people that travel about to see the world. For my part, I think it's a mercy it was not overturned before we were all out on't.

Sir F. Why, ay, that's true again, my dear. Lady W. Therefore, see to-morrow, if we can buy one at second hand for present use; so bespeak a new one, and then all's easy.

Moody. Why, troth, sir, I don't think this could have held you above a day longer.

Sir F. D'ye ye think so, John?

Moody. Why, you ha' had it ever since your worship were high sheriff.

Sir F. Why, then, go and see what Doll has got us for supper; and come, and get off my boots.

ACT III.

SCENE I.-Lord Townly's House.

[Exeunt.

Lady G. And this was enclosed. (Gives another.) Lord T. (Reads.) "To Charles Manly, Esq.-Your manner of living with me of late, convinces me that I now grow as painful to you as to myself; but, however, though you can love me no longer, I hope you will not let me live worse than I did before I left an honest income for the vain hopes of being ever yours.— MYRTILLA DUPE-P.S. 'Tis above four months since I received a shilling from you."

Lady G. What think you now?
Lord T. I am considering--

Lady G. You see it's directed to him.

Lord T. That's true; but the postscript seems to be a reproach, that I think he is not capable of deserving.

Lady G. But who could have concern enough to send it to me?

Lord T. I have observed, that these sort of letters from unknown friends, generally come from secret.

enemies.

Lady G. What would you have me do in it? Lord T. What I think you ought to do? fairly shew it him, and say I advised you to do it. Lady G. Will not that have a very odd look from me?

Lord T. Not at all, if you use my name in it. If he is innocent, his impatience to appear so will discover his regard to you; if he is guilty, it will be the best way of preventing his addresses.

Lady G. But what pretence have I to put him out of countenance?

Lord T. I can't think there's any fear of that. Lady G. Pray what is it you do think, then? Lord T. Why, certainly, that it's much more probable this letter may be all an artifice, than that he is in the least concerned in it.

Enter WILLIAMS. Wil. Mr. Manly, my lord,

[Exit

Lord T. Do you receive him, while I step a minute to my lady.

[Exit.

Enter MANLY. Man. Madam, your most obedient; they told me my lord was here.

Lady G. He will be here presently; he is but just gone to my sister.

Man. So, then, my lady dines with us?
Lady G. No; she is engaged.

Man. I hope you are not of her party, madam.
Lady G. Not till after dinner.

Man. And pray, how may she have disposed of the rest of the day?

Lady G. Much as usual; she has visits till about eight; after that, till court time, she is to be at quadrille, at Mrs. Idle's; after the drawing-room, she takes a short supper with my Lady Moonlight; and from thence they go together to my Lord Noble's assembly.

Man. And are you to do all this with her, madam?

Lady G. Only a few of the visits.

Man. But how can you forbear all the rest of it? Lady G. There's no great merit in forbearing what one is not charmed with.

Man. And yet I have found that very difficult in my time.

Lady G. How do you mean?

Man. Why, I have passed a great deal of my life in the hurry of the ladies, though I was generally better pleased when I was at quiet without them. [them? Lady G. What induced you, then, to be with Man. Idleness and the fashion.

Lady G. No mistresses in the case?

Man. To speak honestly, yes; being often in the toy-shop, there was no forbearing the baubles.

Lady G. And of course, I suppose, sometimes you were tempted to pay for them twice as much as they were worth.

Man. Madam!

Lady G. I'll be free with you, Mr. Manly; I don't know a man in the world, that, in appearance, might better pretend to a woman of the first merit than yourself; and yet, I have a reason in my hand here to think you have your failings.

Man. I have infinite, madam; but I am sure the want of an implicit respect for you is not anong the number. Pray, what is in your hand, madam? Lady G. Nay, sir, I have no title to it; for the direction is to you. (Gives him a letter.)

Man. To me! I don't remember the hand. (Reads to himself.)

Lady G. Give me leave to tell you one thing, by the way, Manly, that I should never have shewa you this, but my brother enjoined me to it.

Man. I take that to proceed from my lord's good opinion of me, madam.

Lady G. I hope at least it will stand as an excuse for my taking this liberty.

Man. I never yet saw you do anything, madam, that wanted an excuse; and I hope you will not give me an instance to the contrary, by refusing the favour I am going to ask you.

Lady G. I don't believe I shall refuse anything that you think proper to ask.

Man. Only this, madam, to indulge me as far as to let me know how this letter came into your hands.

Lady G. Enclosed to me in this, without a name. Man. If there be no secret in the contents, madam

Lady G. Why, there is an impertinent insinuation in it; but, as I know your good sense will think it 'o too, I will venture to trust you.

Man. You'll oblige me, madam.

(Takes the other letter, and reads.) Lady G. Now am I in the oddest situation! methinks our conversation grows terribly critical.This must produce something. O lud! would it were over! (Aside.) Man. Now, madam, I begin to have some light into the poor project that is at the bottom of all this.

Lady G. I have no notion of what could be proposed by it.

Man. A little patience, madam. First, as to the insinuation you mention,

Lady G. Oh! what is he going to say now?

(Aside.)

Man. Though my intimacy with my lord may have allowed my visits to have been very frequent here of late; yet, in such a talking town as this, you must not wonder if a great many of those visits are placed to your account; and this taken for granted, I suppose, has been told to my Lady Wronghead, as a piece of news, since her arrival, not improbably with many more imaginary circumstance

Lady G. My Lady Wronghead!

Man. Ay, madam; for I am positive this is her hand.

it?

Lady G. What view could she have in writing

Man. To interrupt any treaty of marriage she may have heard I am engaged in; because, if I die without heirs, her family expects that some part of my estate may return to them again. But I hope she is so far mistaken, that, if this letter has given you the least uneasiness, I shall think that the happiest moment of my life.

Lady G. That does not carry your usual complaisance, Mr. Manly.

Man. Yes, madam; because I am sure I can convince you of my innocence.

Lady G. I am sure I have no right to inquire into it. ́

Man. Suppose you may not, madam; yet you may very innocently have so much curiosity.

Lady G. Well, sir, I won't pretend to have so little of the woman in me, as to want curiosity. But pray do you suppose then, this Myrtilla is a real, or a fictitious name?

Man. Now, I recollect, madam, there is a young woman in the house where my Lady Wronghead lodges, that I heard somebody call Myrtilla; this, letter may have been written by her. But how it came directed to me I confess is a mystery, that before I ever presume to see your ladyship again, I think myself obliged in honour to find out. (Going.) Lady G. Mr. Manly, you are not going?

Man. 'Tis but to the next street, madam; I shall be back in ten minutes.

Lady G. Nay, but dinner's just coming up. Man. Madam, I can neither cat nor rest till I see an end of this affair.

Lady G. But this is so odd! why should any silly curiosity of mine drive you away?

Man. Since you won't suffer it to be yours, madam, then it shall be only to satisfy my own curiosity. [Exit.

Lady G. Well; and now, what am I to think of all this? Or suppose an indifferent person had heard every word we have said to one another, what would they have thought on't? Would it have been very absurd to conclude he is seriously inclined to pass the rest of his life with me? I hope Enter MRS. TRUSTY.

Well, Mrs. Trusty, is my sister dressed yet?
Mrs T. Yes, madam; but my lord has been