It is his shape. VELLU M. GEORGE. Sir So, now lay my beard upon VELLUM. [After having look'd on Sir George thro' his spectacles. It is his face, every lineament! Sir GEORGE. Well, now I have put off the conjurer and the old man, I can talk to thee more at my ease. VELLU M. Believe me, my good mafter, I am as much rejoiced to see you alive, as I was upon the day you were born. Your name was in all the news-papers, in the lift of those that were flain. Sir GEORGE. We have not time to be particular. I fhall only tell thee in general, that I was taken prifoner in the battle, and was under clofe confinement for feveral months. Upon my release, I was refolv'd to furprize my wife with the news of my being alive. I know Velhim, you are a perfon of fo much penetration, that I need not use any further arguments to convince you that I am fo. VELLUM. I am-and moreover, I queftion not but your good Lady will likewife be convinced of it. Her ho-nour is a difcerning Lady. Sir GEORGE. I'm only afraid fhe fhou'd be convinc'd of it to her forrow. Is not fhe pleased with her imaginary widowdood? Tell me truly was fhe afflicted at the report of my death? VELLU M. Sorely. Sir GEORGE. VELLU M.. Longer than I have known any widows three days. Sir GEORGE.. Three days, fay'ft thou? three whole days? I'm afraid thou flattereft me- -O woman! woman!. VELLU M. Grief is two-fold. Sir GEORGE. This blockhead is as methodical as everknow he's honeft: VELLUM. There is a real grief, and there is a methodical grief; the was drown'd in tears till fuch time as the tailor had made her widow's weeds-indeed they became herz Sir GEORGE. Became her! and was that her comfort? truly a most feafonable confolation! VELLU M. But I muft needs fay fhe paid a due regard to your memory, and could not forbear weeping when the faw company. VELLU. M.. Sir GEORGE That was kind indeed! I find the griev'd with a deal of good-breeding. But how comes this gang of lovers. about her? Her jointure is confiderable. Sir. GEORGE. How this fool torments me! VELLU M. at leaft Her perfon is amiable Death! Sir GEORGE. -but I (Afide. T VELLU M. [Afide. 【Afide. But her character is unblemished. She has been as virtuous in your abfence as a Penalop.. Sir GEORGE. There thou reviv'ft me- -but what means Tinfel Are his vifits acceptable? VELLU M. He is young. Does the liften to him? 0 Sir GEORGE. VELLU M. He is gay. Sir GEORGE. Sure she could never entertain a thought of marrying fuch a coxcomb!! VELLU M.. He is not ill-made. Sir GEORGE. I Are the vows and proteftations that paft between us come to this! I can't bear the thought of it! is Tinfel the man defign'd for my worthy fucceffor? VELLU M. You do not confider that you have been dead these fourteen months. Sir Was there ever fuch a dog? GEORGE.. [Afide. VELLU M. And I have often heard her fay, that the muft never expect to find a fecond Sir George Truman-meaning your Ho-nour. Sir GEORGE. I think the lov'd me; but I must fearch into this ftory of the Drummer before I discover myself to her. I have put on this habit of a Conjurer, in order to introduce myself. It must be your bufinefs to recommend me as a moft profound perfon, that by my great knowledge in the curious arts can filence the Drummer, and difpoffefs the house. VELLU M. I am going to lay my accounts before my Lady, and I will endeavour to prevail upon her Ho-nour to admit the trial of your art. Sir GEORGE.. I have fcarce heard of any of thefe ftories that did not arife from a love-intrigue-Amours raise as many ghofts as murders. VELLU M. Mrs. Abigal endeavours to perfuade us, that 'tis your Ho-nour who troubles the house. na star? Sir GEORGE. DO Ja That convinces me 'tis a cheat, for I think, Vellum, I may be pretty well affur'd it is not me. Ka VELLU M. I am apt to think fo truly. Ha-ha-ha. 2 } Abigal had always an afcendant over her Lady, and if there is a trick in this matter, depend upon it fhe is at the bottom of it. I'll be hang'd if this ghoft be not one of Abigal's familiars. VELLU M. Mrs. Abigal has of late been very myfterious. Sir GEORGE. WA I fancy, Vellum, thou could't worm it out of her. I "know formerly there was an amour between you VELLUM. Mrs. Abigal hath her allurements, and she knows I bave pick'd up a competency in your Ho--nour's fervice. Sir GEORGE. If thou haft, all I afk of thee in return is, that thou would'ft immediately renew your addreffes to her. Coax her up. Thou haft fuch a filver tongue, Vellum, as 'twill be impoffible for her to withstand. Befides, he is fo very a woman, that fhe'll like thee the better for giving her the pleasure of telling a secret. In short, wheedle her out of it, and I fhall act by the advice which thou givest me. VELLU M. Mrs. Abigal was never deaf to me, when I talk'd upon that fubject. I will take an opportunity of addrelling myself to her in the most pathetic manner. Sir GEORGE. In the mean time lock me up in your office, and bring me word what success you have-Well, fure l'am the first that ever was employ'd to lay himself! VELLU M. You act indeed a three-fold part in this houfe; you are a Ghoft, a Conjurer, and my ho--noured Master, Sir George Truman; he, he, he! You will pardon me for being jocular. Sir GEORGE. O, Mr. Vellum, with all my heart. You know I love you men of wit and humour. Be as merry as thou pleafeft, fo thou doft thy bufinefs [Mimicking him.] You will remember, Vellum, your commiffion is twofold, first to gain admiffion for me to your Lady, and fecondly to get the fecret out of Abigal. VELLU M. It fufficeth. [The Scene fouts. Enter |
