they laugh at? For, you know, laughing
without a jest, is as impertinent, he! as, as-
Cyn. As dancing without a fiddle.
Lord F. Just, 'ifaith-that was at my ton-Ay, charioteer does better.
gue's end.

Lady F. [Reads] And when at night his
labour's done,

Cyn. But that cannot be properly said of them; for, I think, they are all in good nature with the world, and only laugh at one another; and, you must allow, they have all jests in their person's, though they have none in their conversation.

Lord F. True, as I'm a person of honour: for heavens sake, let us sacrifice 'em to mirth a little.

Sir P. 'Gadso-Wife, wife; my lady Pliant, I have a word

Lady P. I'm busy, sir Paul, I wonder at your impertinence.

Care. Sir Paul, hearkye, I'm reasoning the matter, you know.-Madam, if your ladyship pleases, we'll discourse of this in the next room. [Exit, with Lady Pliant. Sir P. O ho, I wish you good success; wish you good success!-Boy, tell my lady, when she has done, I would speak with her below. [Exeunt.

Then too, like heaven's charioteer, the sun[Reads.

Into the dairy he descends,

And there his whipping and his driving ends; There he's secure from danger of a bilk, His fare is paid him, and he sets in milk. For Susan, you know, is Thetis, and soBrisk. Incomparable well and proper, 'egad; but I have one exception to make-Don't you think bilk (I know it's good rhyme); but don't you think bilk and fare too like a hackney

coachman?

Lady F. I swear and vow I'm afraid so; and yet our Jehu was a hackney-coachman when my lord took him.

Brisk. Was he? I'm answered, if Jehu was a hackney-coachman-You may put that into the marginal notes though, to prevent criticism: only mark it with a small asterism, and say, Jehu was formerly a hackney coachman. Lady F. I will. You'd oblige me extremely to write notes to the whole poem. Brisk. With all my heart and soul; and proud of the vast honour, let me perish.

Lord E. He, he, he! My dear, have you done? Won't you join with us? we were laughing at my lady Whifler, and Mr. Sneer. Lady F. Ay, my dear, were you? (), filthy Enter LADY FROTH and BRISK. Mr. Sneer! he's a nauseous figure, a most Lady F. Then you think that episode be-fulsamic fop, pho! He spent two days totween Susan the dairy-maid, and our coach-gether in going about Coventgarden to suit the man, is not amiss? you know, I may suppose lining of his coach with his complexion. the dairy in town, as well as in the country. Lord F. O, silly! yet his aunt is as fond Brisk. Incomparable, let me perish. But of him, as if she had brought the ape into then, being an heroic poem, had not you bet-the world herself.

ter call him a charioteer? Charioteer sounds Brish. Who, my lady Toothless? O, she's great; besides, your ladyship's coachman ha-a mortifying spectacle; she's always chewing ving a red face, and you comparing him to the cud, like an old ewe.

the sun-and, you know, the sun is called Cyn. Fie, Mr. Brisk; 'tis eringoes for her heaven's charioteer.

Lady F. Oh, infinitely better; I'm extremely beholding to you for the hint. Stay, we'll read over those half a score lines again. [Pulls out a Paper] Let me see here- you know what goes before-the comparison, you know. [Reads.

For as the sun shines ev'ry day, So of our coachman 1 may sayBrisk. I'm afraid that simile won't do in wet weather, because you say the sun shines every day.

cough.

Lady F. Then she's always ready to laugh when Sneer offers to speak; and sits in expectation of his no jest, with her mouth open. Brisk. Like an oyster at low ebb, 'egad. Ha, ha, ha!

Lady F. Then that t'other great strapping lady; I can't hit of her name; the old fat fool that paints so exorbitantly.

Brisk. I know whom you mean: but deuce take me, I can't hit of her name neither. Paints, d'ye say? why she lays it on with a Lady F. No, for the sun it won't; but it trowel; then she has a great beard that bristwill do for the coachman; for, you know, les through it, and makes her look as if she there's most occasion for a coach in wet were plastered with lime and hair, let me weather.

Brisk. Right, right, that saves all. Lady F. Then, I don't say the sun shines all the day; but, that he peeps now and then: yet he does shine all the day too, you know, though we don't see him.

perish.

Lady F. O, you made a song upon her, Mr. Brisk.

Brisk. He! 'egad, so I did. My Lord can sing it. Tis not a song, neither: it's a sort of an epigram, or rather an epigrammatic Brisk. Right; but the vulgar will never sonnet: I don't know what to call it, but it's comprehend that. satire. Sing it, my lord.

Lady F. Well, you shall hear -Let me see.
[Reads.

For as the sun shines ev'ry day,
So of our coachman I may say.
He shows his drunken fiery face,
Just as the sun does, more or less.
Brisk. That's right; all's well, all's well-
more or less.

SONG. LORD FROTH.

Ancient Phillis has young graces,
'Tis a strange thing, but a true one;
Shall I tell you how?

She herself makes her own faces,
And each morning wears a new one;
Where's the wonder now?

Lady F. How now?

Tho. Your ladyship's chair is come.
Lady F. Is nurse and the child in it?
Tho. Yes, madam.

Cyn. Well, if the devil should assist her, and your plot miscarry.

Mel. Ay, what am I to trust to then?

Cyn. Why, if you give me very clear demonstration that is was the devil, I'll allow for irresistible odds. Here's my mother-in-law, and your friend Careless: I would not have 'em see us together yet. [Exeunt.

[Exit. Lady F. O the dear creature! let's go see it. Lord F. I swear, my dear, you'll spoil that Enter CARELESS and LADY PLIANT. child with sending it to and again so often; Lady P. I swear, Mr. Careless, you are this is the seventh time the chair has gone very alluring, and say so many fine things, for her to-day. and nothing is so moving to me as a fine Lady F. O law, I swear it's but the sixth, thing. Well, I must do you this justice, and and I han't seen her these two hours. The declare in the face of the world, never any poor dear creature! I swear, my lord, you body gained so far upon me as yourself; don't love poor little Sapho. Come, my dear with blushes I must own it, you have shaCynthia; Mr. Brisk, we'll go see Sapho, though ken, as I may say, the very foundation of my my lord won't. bonour. Well, sure if I escape your importunities, I shall value myself as long as I live, I swear.

Care. And despise me.

Cyn. I'll wait upon your ladyship. Brisk. Pray, madam, how old is lady Sapho? Le Lord F. Three quarters; but I swear she [Sighing. has a world of wit, and can sing a tune al- Lady P. The last of any man in the world, ready. My lord, won't you go? won't you? by my purity; now you make me swear. O what, not to see Saph? Pray, my lord, come gratitude, forbid that I should ever be wanting see little Saph. I knew you could not stay, in a respectful acknowledgment of an entire [Exeunt. resignation of all my best wishes, for the person and parts of so accomplished a person, whose merit challenges much more I'm sure than my illiterate praises can description.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.-The same.

Enter MELLEFONT and CYNTHIA. Cyn. I heard him loud as I came by the closet-door, and my lady with him: but she seemed to moderate his passion.

Mel. Ay, as gentle breezes moderate a fire; hut I shall counterwork her spells.

Cyn. It's impossible; she'll cast beyond you still. I'll lay my life it will never be a match. Mel. What?

Cyn. Between you and me.

Mel. Why so? I don't know why we should not steal out of the house this moment, and marry one another without consideration or the fear of repentance. Hang fortune, portion, settlements, and jointures.

Cyn. Ay, ay, what have we to do with them? You know we marry for love.

Mel. Love, love, downright, very villanous love.

Cyn. Here then, I give you my promise, in spite of duty, any temptation of wealth, your inconstancy, or my own inclination to change

Mel. To run most wilfully and unreasonably away with me this moment, and be married. Cyn. Hold-never to marry any body else. Mel. That's but a kind of negative consent. Why, you won't balk the frolic?

Care. Ah, heavens, madam, you ruin me with kindness! Your charming tongue pursues the victory of your eyes, while at feet your your poor adorer dies. [In a whining Tone. Lady P. Ah! very fine.

Care. Ah, why are you so fair, so bewitching fair? O let me grow to the ground here, and feast upon that hand! O let me press it to my heart, my trembling heart! the nimble movement shall instruct your pulse, and teach it to alarm desire. [Still whining] I'm almost at the end of my cant, if she does not yield quickly. [Aside.

Lady P. O that's so passionate and fine, I cannot hear it. I am not safe if I stay, and must leave you.

Care. And must you leave me? Rather let me languish out a wretched life, and breathe my soul beneath your feet. I must say the same thing over again, and can't help it.

[Aside

Lady P. I swear, I'm ready to languish too. O my honour! whither is it going? I protest you have given me the palpitation of the heart. Care. Can you be so cruel?

if sir

Lady P. O rise, I beseech you; say no more till you rise. Why did you kneel so long? I swear I was so transported, I did not see it. Well, to show you how far you Cyn. If you had not been so assured of have gained upon me, I assure you, your own conduct, I would not. But 'tis but Paul should die, of all mankind there's none reasonable that, since I consent to like a man I'd sooner make my second choice. without the vile consideration of money, he Care. O heaven! I can't outlive this night should give me a very evident demonstration without your favour. I feel my spirits faint, of his wit: therefore let me see you under-a general dampness overspreads my face, a mine my lady Touchwood, as you boasted, cold deadly dew already vents through all my and force her to give her consent, and then-pores, and will to-morrow wash me for ever Mel. I'll do't.

Cyn. And I'll do't.

Mel. This very next en suing hour of eigh o'clock is the last minute of her reign, unles the devil assist her in propria persona.

from your sight, and drown me in my tomb. Lady P. 8, you have conquer'd; sweet, tmelting, moving sir, you have conquered. What sheart of marble can refrain to weep, and yield to such sad sayings?

Cries

Care. I thank heaven they are the saddest value for, not only for that, but because he has that I ever said [Aside] Oh! a great veneration for your ladyship. Lady P. O! I yield myself all up to your Lady P. O law, no indeed, sir Paul; 'tis uncontrolable embraces. Say, thou dear dying upon your account. man, when, where, and how? Ah, there's sir Paul.

Care. 'Slife, yonder's sir Paul; but if he were not come, I'm so transported I cannot speak. This note will inform you,

[Gives her a Note, and exit. Re-enter CYNTHIA, with SIR PAUL PLIANT. Sir P. Thou art my tender lambkin, and shalt do what thou wilt; but endeavour to forget this Mellefont,

Cyn. I would obey you to my power, sir; but, if I have not him, I have sworn never to marry.

Sir P. No, I protest and vow I have no title to his esteem, but in having the honour to appertain in some measure to your ladyship, that's all.

Lady P. O law, now, I swear and declare, it shan't he so; you're too modest, sir Paul. Str P. It becomes me, when there is any comparison made between

Lady P. O fie, fie, sir Paul, you'll put me out of countenance. Your very obedient and affectionate wife, that's all, and highly honoured in that title.

Sir P. 'Gadsbud, I am transported! Give me leave to kiss your ladyship's little finger. Sir P. Never to marry! Heaven's forbid! Lady P. My lip indeed, sir Paul; I swear must I neither have sons nor grandsons? must you shall. [He kisses her, and bows very low. the family of the Pliants be utterly extinct for Sir P. I humbly thank your ladyship; I want of issue male? Oh, impiety! but did don't know whether I fly on ground, or walk you swear? did that sweet creature swear, in air. 'Gadsbud, she was never thus before. ha? How durst you swear without my con- Well, I must own myself the most beholden sent, ha? 'Gadsbud, who am I? to Mr. Careless; as sure as can he this is all Cyn. Pray don't be angry, sir; when I his doing, something that he has said; well, swore I had your consent; and therefore I'tis a rare thing to have an ingenious friend. Well, your ladyship is of opinion that the match may go forward?

swore.

Sir P. Why then the revoking my consent does annul or make of non effect your oath: so you may unswear it again; the law will allow it.

Cyn. Ay, but my conscience never will. Sir P. Gadsbud, no matter for that; conscience and law never go together; you must not expect that.

Lady P. By all means. Mr. Careless has satisfied me of the matter.

Sir P. Well, why then, lamb, you may keep your oath: but have a care of making rash vows. Come hither to me, and kiss papa.

Lady P. I swear and declare, I am in such a twitter to read Mr. Careless's letter, that I Lady P. Ay, but sir Paul, I conceive, if she can't forbear any longer; but though I may has sworn, d'ye mark me? if she has once read all letters firs! by prerogative, yet I'll be sworn, it is most unchristian, inhuman, and sure to be unsuspected this time. [Aside] obscene that she should break it. I'll make Sir Paul. up the match again, because Mr. Careless said it would oblige him.

Sir P. Did your ladyship call? [Aside. Lady P. Nay, not to interrupt you, my Sir P. Does your ladyship onceive so? dear. Only lend me your letter which you Why I was of that opinion once too. Nay, had from your steward to-day: I would look if your ladyship conceives so, I'm of that upon the account again, and may be increase opinion again; but I can neither find my lord your allowance. nor my lady, to know what they intend.

Lady P. I am satisfied that my cousin Mellefont has been much wronged.

Sir P. There it is, madam. Do you want a pen and ink? [Bows and gives the Letter. Lady P. No, no, nothing else, I thank you, sir Paul. So now I can read my own letter under the cover of his. [Aside.

Cyn. I'm amazed to find her of our side, for I'm sure she loved him. [Aside. Lady P. I know my lady Touchwood has Sir P. He! and shall I have a grandson, a no kindness for him; and besides I have been brave chopping boy, to perpetuate the line of informed by Mr. Careless, that Mellefont had the Pliant's? I'll settle a thousand pounds a never any thing more than a profound re- year upon the rogue as soon as ever he spect. That he has owned himself to be my looks me in the face, I will. 'Gadsbud, I hope admirer, 'tis true; but he was never so pre- the young cherub will be like me: I would sumptuous as to entertain any dishonourable no- fain have some resemblance of myself in my tions of things; so that if this be made plain, posterity. Ha, Thy, shouldn't you wish he I don't see how my daughter can in conscience, was like his grand-papa? or honour, or any thing in the world

Cyn. I'm glad to see you so merry, sir.

Sir P. Indeed if this be made plain, as my Sir P. Merry! 'gadsbud, I'm serious; I'll lady your mother says, childgive thee five hundred pounds for every feaLady P. Plain! I was informed of it by ture of him that resembles me. Ah, this eye, Mr. Careless; and I assure you Mr. Careless this left eye! a thousand pounds for this left is a person that has a most extraordinary eye: this has done executior in its time, girl. respect and honour for you, sir Paul. Why thou hast my leer, hussy; just thy faCyn. And for your ladyship too, I believe; ther's leer.-Let it be transmitted to the young or else you had not changed sides so soon. rogue by the help of imagination. Why, 'tis [Aside] Now I begin to find it. the mark of our family, Thy: our house is Sir P. I am much obliged to Mr. Careless distinguished by a languishing eye, as the really; he is a person that I have a great house of Austria is by a thick lip,

Lady P. O, dear Mr. Careless! I swear he madam; nothing at all, 'egad: 1 was fallen writes charmingly, and he looks charmingly, into the most agreeable amusement in the whole and he has charmed me as much as I have province of contempl. tion, that's all.-I'll seem charmed him; and so I'll tell him in the to conceal my passion, and that will look like wardrobe, when 'tis dark. O crimine! I hope respect.

[Aside.

sir Paul has not seen both letters. [Aside. Lady F. Bless me, why did you call out Puts up the wrong Letter, and gives him upon me so loud?

her own] Sir Paul, here's your letter: to- Brisk. O Lord! I, madam? I beseech your morrow morning I'll settle accounts to your ladyship, when? advantage.

Lady F. Just now, as I came in. Bless me, why don't you know it?

Sir P. I humbly thank your ladyship. Lady P. So, now I'll retire, and study a Brisk. Not I, let me perish; but did I? complimentary rebuke to Mr. Careless, for the strange! I confess your ladyship was in my pathetic tender of his regards; but it shall not thoughts; and I was in a sort of dream, that be too severe neither. [Aside, and exit. did in a manner represent a very pleasing object to my imagination: but-but did I indeed? -To see how love and murder will out! But did I really name my lady Froth?

Enter BRISK.

Brisk. Sir Paul, 'gadsbud, you're an uncivil person, let me tell you, and all that; and I did not think it had been in you.

Str P. O law, what's the matter now? hope you are not angry, Mr. Brisk?

Lady. F. Three times aloud, as I love letters. But did you talk of love?-O, ParnasIsus! who would have thought Mr. Brisk could have been in love? ha, ha, ha! O heaven's, I thought you could have no mistress but the al-nine muses.

Brisk. Deuce take me, I believe you intend to marry your daughter yourself; you're ways brooding over her like an old hen, as if she were not well hatched, 'egad, he!

a

Sir P. Good, strange! Mr. Brisk is such merry facetious person; he, he, he. No, no, I have done with her, I have done with her now. Brisk. The fiddles have stayed this hour in the hall, and my lord Froth wants a partner; we can never begin without her.

Brisk. No more I have, 'egad, for I adore 'em all in your ladyship. Let me perish, I don't know whether to be splenetic or airy upon't; the deuce take me, if I can tell wheth er I am glad or sorry, that your ladyship has made the discovery.

Lady F. O be merry, by all means.-Prince Volscius in love! Ha, ha, ha!

Sir P. Go, go, child; go, get you gone, Brisk. O, barbarous, to turn me into ridiand dance and be merry; I'll come and look cule! yet, ha, ha, ha, the deuce take me, I at you by-and-by. [Exit Cynthia] Where's can't help laughing myself, ha, ha, ha! yet, my son Mellefont? by heaven's, I have a violent passion for your ladyship, seriously.

Brisk. I'll send him to them; I know where he is; and, sir Paul, will you send Careless into the hall, if you meet him?

Sir P. 1 will, I will; I'll go and look for him on purpose.

Lady F. Seriously? ha, ha, ha!

Brisk. Seriously, ha, ha, ha! 'Gad, I have, for all I laugh.

Lady F. Ha, ha, ha! What d'ye think I laugh at? ha, ha, ha!

Brisk. Megad; ha, ha!

Lady F. No; the deuce take me if I don't laugh at myself; for, hang me, if I have not a violent passion for Mr. Brisk; ha, ha, ha! Brisk. Seriously?

Lady F. Seriously; ha, ha, ha!

[Exil. Brisk. So, now they are all gone, and I have an opportunity to practise.-Ah! my dear lady Froth! she's a most engaging creature, if she were not se fond of that damn'd coxcombly lord of hers; and yet I am forc'd to allow him wit too, to keep in with him. No matter; she's a woman of parts, and, 'egad, parts will carry her. She said she would fol-| Brisk. That's well enough, let me perish: low me into the gallery. Now, to make my ha, ha, ha! O, miraculous! what a happy approaches-lem, hem! Ah! ma-[Bows] discovery! Ah, my dear charming lady Froth. dam!-Plague on't, why should I disparage Lady F. Oh, my adored Mr. Brisk! my parts by thinking what to say? None but [They embrace. dull rogues think: witty men, like rich fellows, are always ready for all expenses; while your blockheads, like poor needy scoundrels, are forc'd to examine their stock, and forecast the charges of the day. Here she comes; I'll seem not to see her, and try to win her with a new airy invention of my own, hem! [Sings, walking about.

Enter LADY FROTH.

Enter LORD FROTH.

Lord F. The company are all ready.-How now?

Brisk. Zoons, madam, there's my lord.
[Apart to her.

Lady F. Take no notice; but observe me, [Aside] Now cast off, and meet me at the lower end of the room, and then join hands again. I could teach my lord this dance purI'm sick with love, ha, ha, ha! pr'ythee come ely; but I vow, Mr. Brisk, I can't tell how cure me-I'm sick with, etc.-O, ye powers! to come so near any other man.-Oh, here's O, my lady Froth, my lady Froth, my lady my lord; now you shall see me do it with Froth! Heigho, break heart! Gods, I thank him. [They pretend to practise part of e you. [Stands musing with his arms across. Country Dance. Lady F. O heaven's, Mr. Brisk! what's the matter?

Brisk. My lady Froth! your ladyship's most humble servant. The matter, madam? nothing,

Lord F. Oh, I see there's no harm yet; but I don't like this familiarity. Aside. Lady F. Shall you and I do our close dance, to show Mr. Brisk? [To Lord Froth

Lord F. No, my dear, do it with him. virtue? D'ye see here? [Snatches the Letter Lady F. I'll do it with him, my lord, when as in anger] Look, read it!-'Gad's my life, you are out of the way. if I thought it were so, I would this moment Brisk. That's good, 'egad, that's good; deuce renounce all communication with you. UnI can hardly hold laughing in his grateful monster! He? is it so? Ay, I see it; [Aside. a plot, upon my honour: your guilty cheeks Lord F. Any other time, my dear; or we'll confess it. Oh, where shall wrong'd virtue fly dance it below.

take me, face.

Lady F. With all my heart.
Brisk. Come, my lord, I'll wait on you.
My charming witty angel!

[Apart to Lady Forth.
Lady F. We shall have whispering time
enough, you know, since we are partners.
[Apart, and exeunt.

for reparation? I'll be divorced this instant. Sir P. 'Gadsbud, what shall I say? this is the strangest surprise! [Aside] Why, I don't know any thing at all; nor I don't know whether there be any thing at all in the world or no.

Lady P. I thought I should try you, false man. I, that never dissembled in my life, yet, to make trial of you, pretended to like that monster of iniquity, Careless; and found out that contrivance, to let you see this letter, which now I find was of your own inditing, I do, heathen, I do! See my face no more; I'm I'll be divorced presently.

Re-enter LADY PLIANT and CARELESS. Lady P. O, Mr. Careless, Mr. Careless, I'm ruin'd, I'm undone.

Care. What's the matter, madam? Lady P. O the unluckiest accident! afraid I shan't live to tell it you.

Care. Heaven forbid! What is it? Lady P. I'm in such a fright; the strangest quandary and premunire! I'm all over in a universal agitation.-O your letter, your letter! By an unfortunate mistake, I have given sir Paul your letter instead of his own.

Care. That was unlucky.

Lady P. O, yonder he comes reading of it; step in here, and advise me quickly, before he sees.

[Exeunt.
I

Sir P. O strange, what will become of me? -I'm so amazed, and so overjoy'd, so afraid, and so sorry. But did you give me this letter on purpose? he? Did you?

Lady P. Did I? Do you doubt me, Turk, Saracen? I have a cousin that's a proctor in the Commons; I'll go to him instantly. [Going. Sir P. Hold, stay, I beseech your ladyship I'm so overjoyed-stay, I'll confess all. Lady P. What will you confess, Jew? Sir P. Why now, as I hope to be saved, had no hand in this letter. Nay, hear me, Re-enter SIR PAUL PLIANT, with the Letter. I beseech your ladyship, the devil take me Sir P. O Providence, what a conspiracy now, if he did not go beyond my commission. have I discovered; but let me see to make If I desired him to do any more than speak an end on't. [Reads] Hum-After supper in a good word only just for me, 'gadsbud, only the wardrobe by the gallery. If sir Paul for poor sir Paul, I'm an Anabaptist or a Jew, should surprise us, I have a commission or what you please to call me. from him, to treat with you about the very Ludy P. Why, is not here matter of faci? matter of fact-Matter of fact! very pretty; Sir P. Ay; but by your own virtue and it seems then I'm conducing to my own dis- continency, that matter of fact is all his own honour: why this is the very traitorous posi- doing. I confess I had a great desire to have tion of taking up arms by my authority against some honours conferred upon me, which lay my person! Well, let me see. [Reads] Till all in your ladyship's breast; and he being a then I languish in expectation of my a-well-spoken man, I desired him to intercede dored charmer.-Dying NED CARELESS. for me. 'Gadsbud, would that were matter of fact too! Lady P. Did you so, presumption? Oh, he Die and be damn'd, for a Judas Maccabeus, comes, he comes; I cannot bear his sight. and Iscariot both. O friendship! what art thou but a name! Henceforward let no man take a friend into the bosom of his family; for if he does-0, we know what will follow, from Care. Sir Paul, I'm glad I've met with you. the example of sir Paul Pliant, and his bosom 'Gad, I have said all I could, but can't prefriend, Ned Careless. Have I for this been vail. Then my friendship to you has carried pinion'd night after night for three years past? me a little further in this matter

Re-enter CARELESS.

[Exit.

Have I approached the marriage bed with re- Sir P. Indeed! Well, sir- I'll dissemble verence, as to a sacred shrine, and must I with him a little,

[Aside.

now find it polluted by foreign iniquity? O, Care. Why, faith, I have in my time known my lady Pliant, you were chaste as ice; but honest gentlemen abused by a pretended coyyou are melted now, and false as water! But ness in their wives, and I had a mind to try Providence has been constant to me in dis- my lady's virtue: and when I could not precovering this conspiracy; still I am beholden vail for you, 'gad, I pretended to be in love to Providence: if it were not for Providence, myself; but all in vain; she would not hear sure, poor sir Paul, thy heart would break.

Re-enter LADY PLIANT.

a word upon that subject: then I writ a letter to her; I don't know what effect that will have, but I'll be sure to tell you when I do; though, by this light, I believe her virtue

Lady P. So, sir, I see you have read the letter,-Well, now, sir Paul, what do you is impregnable. think of your friend Careless? Has he been

Sir P. O Providence, Providence! what distreacherous? or did you give his insolence a coveries are here made! Why, this is better, license to make trial of your wife's suspected and more miraculous than the rest.