ABIGAL.

You will always be waggish.

VELLU M.

Adieu, and let me hear the refult of your conference, ABIGA L.

How can you leave one fo foon? I fhall think it an age till I see you again.

I have him if I can but get this thousand pound. [Fantome gives three raps with his Drum behind the wainscot.

ABIGA L.

Ha! three raps upon the Drum! the fignal Mr. Fantome and I agreed upon, when he had a mind to fpeak with me. [Fantome raps again.

ABIGA L.

Very well, I hear you; come fox, come out of your hole.

Scene opens and FANTOM E comes out.

ABIGA L.

You may leave your Drum in the wardrobe, till you

have occafion for it.

FAN

FANTOM E.

Well, Mrs. Abigal, I want to hear what is a doing in the world.

A BIGA L.

You are a very inquifitive fpirit. But I must tell if you do not take care of yourself, you will be laid this evening.

you,

FANTOM E.

I have overheard fomething of that matter. But let me alone for the Doctor'll engage to give a good account of him. I am more in pain about Tinfel. When a Lady's in the cafe, I am more afraid of one Fop than twenty Conjurers.

ABIGA L.

To tell you truly, he preffes his attacks with so much impudence, that he has made more progrefs with my Lady in two days, than you did in two months.

FANTOM E.

I fhall attack her in another manner, if thou canst

but procure me another interview. There's nothing makes a lover fo keen, as being kept up in the dark.

ABIGA L.

Pray no more of your diftant bows, your refpectful complimentsReally, Mr. Fantome, you're only fit to make love across a tea-table.

FANTOM E.

My dear Girl! I can't forbear hugging thee for thy good advice.

ABIGA L.

Ay, now I have fome hopes of you; but why don't you do fo to my Lady?

FANTOM E.

Child, I always thought your Lady lov'd to be trea

ted with respect.

ABIGA L.

Believe me, Mr. Fantome, there is not fo great a

VOL. II.

M

difference

difference between woman and woman as you imagine. You see Tinfel has nothing but his faucinefs to recommend him.

FANTOM E.

Tinfel is too great a coxcomb to be capable of love -And let me tell thee, Abigal, a man who is fincere in his paffion, makes but a very aukward profession of it -but I'll mend my manners.

ABIGA L.

Ay, or you'll never gain a widow

come, I muft tutor you a little; fuppofe me to be my Lady, and let ine fee how you'll behave yourself.

FANTOME.

1

I'm afraid, child, we han't time for fuch a piece of mummery.

ABIGA L.

Oh, it will be quickly over, if you play your part

well.

FANTOM E.

Why then, dear Mrs. Ab-I mean my Lady Truman.

That's right; Faith, I forgot that circumstance. [Kiffes ber.] Nectar and Ambrofia!

ABIGA L.

That's very well

FANTOM E.

How long must I be condemned to languish! when fhall my fufferings have an end! my life! my happiness, any all is wound up in you.

A BIGA L.

Well! why don't you fqueeze my hand?

FANTOM E.

What, thus?

АВК

ABIGAL.

Thus? Ay-now throw your arm about my middle; hug me clofer, You are not afraid of hurting me! now pour forth a volley of rapture and nonfenfe, till you are out of breath.

blifs!

FANTOM E.

Tranfport and ecftafy! where am I! my life! my -I rage, I burn, I bleed, I die! ABIGAL

Go on, go on.

FANTOM E.

Flames and darts-bear me to the gloomy fhade,

rocks and grottoes- -flowers, Zephyrs, and purling

ftreams.

ABIGAL,

Oh! Mr. Fantome, you have a tongue would undo a veftal! you were born for the ruin of our fex.

FANTOM E.

This will do then, Abigal?

ABIGA L.

Ay, this is talking like a lover. Though I only reprefent my Lady, I take a pleasure in hearing you. Well, o' my conscience, when a man of fenfe has a little dafh of the coxcomb in him, no woman can refift him. Go on at this rate, and the thousand pound is as good as in my pocket.

FANTOM E.

I fhall think it an age till I have an opportunity of putting this leffon into practice.

ABIGA L.

You may do it foon, if you make good ufe of your time; Mr. Tinfel will be here with my Lady at eight, and at nine the Conjurer is to take you in hand.

FANTOME.

Let me alone with both of them.

M 2

ABI

ABIGA L.

Well! forewarn'd, fore-arm'd, Get into your box, and I'll endeavour to difpofe every thing in your favour. [Fantome goes in, exit Abigal.

Enter VELL UN.

VELLUM.

Mrs. Abigal is withdrawn-I was in hopes to have heard what pafs'd between her and her invifible correfpondent.

Vellum! We are methinks very familiar; I am not us'd to be call'd fo by any but their Ho--nours. [Afide.] -What would you, Mr. Tinfel?! TINSEL.

Let me beg a favour of thee, old gentleman.

VELLUM.

What is that, good Sir ?>

TINS E L.

Pr'ythee run and fetch me the rent-roll of thy Lady's eftate.

The rent-roll?

VELLU M.

TINSE L,

The rent-roll?ay, the rent-roll! doft not understand what that means ?