nelagh, merely to be a spy upon me. I positively will admit no curiosity about my letters. If you were to open a letter of mine, I should never forgive you. I do verily believe, if you were to open my letters I should hate you.

Bev. I subscribe to every thing you can ask. You shall have what female friends you please; lose your money to whom you please; dance with what beau you please; ride out with whom you please; go to what china-shop you please; and, in short, do what you please, without my attempting to bribe your footmen or your maid for secret intelligence.

Belin. Oh, lud! Oh, lud! that is in the very strain of jealousy. Deliver me! there is my father yonder, and Sir William Bellmont with him. Fly this instant, fly, Mr. Beverley, down that walk; any where.

Bev. You promise then

Belin. Don't talk to me now: what would you be at? I am yours, and only yours, unalterably so. Fly, begone, leave me this moment.

Bev. I obey: I am gone.

[Exit.

Belin. Now they are putting their wise heads together to thwart all my schemes of happiness: but love, imperious love, will have it otherwise.

Enter Mr. BLANDFORD and Sir WILLIAM BELL

MONT.

Bland. Sir William, since we have agreed upon every thing

1

Sir Will. Why yes, Mr. Blandford, I think every thing is settled.

Bland. Why then we have only to acquaint the young people with our intentions, and so conclude the affair without delay.

Sir Will. That is all, sir.

Bland. As to my girl, I don't mind her nonsense about Beverley: she must do as I will have her.

Sir Will. And my son too, he must follow my directions. As to his telling me of his love for Clarissa, it is all a joke with me. Children must do as their

parents will have them.

Bland. Ay, so they must; and so they shall. Hey! here is my daughter. So, Belinda-Well, my girl, Sir William and I have agreed, and you are to prepare for marriage, that's all.

Belin. With Mr. Beverley, sir?

Bland. Mr. Beverley!

Belin. You know you encouraged him yourself, sir. Bland. Well, well! I have changed my mind on that head my friend, Sir William, here offers you his son. Do as I advise you: have a care, Belinda, how you disobey my commands.

Belin. But, sir

Bland. But, madam, I must and will be obeyed.

You don't like him, you say: but I like him, and that's sufficient for you.

Sir Will. And so it is, Mr. Blandford. If my son pretended to have a will of his own, I should let him know to the contrary.

Belin. And can you, Sir William, against our inclination force us both?

Bland. Hold your tongue, Belinda; don't provoke me. What makes you from home? Go your ways back directly, and settle your mind. I tell you once for all I will have my own way. Come, Sir William, we will step to the lawyer's chambers. Go home, Belinda, and be observant of my commands. Come, Sir William. What did you say? [To Belinda.] You mutiny, do you? Don't provoke me.

You

know, Belinda, I am an odd sort of man when provok'd. Look ye here: mind what I say; I won't reason with you about the matter; my power is absolute, and if you offer to rebel, you shall have no husband at all with my consent. I'll cut you off with a shilling; I'll see you starve; beg an alms; live miserable; die wretched; in short, suffer any calamity without the least compassion from me. If I find you an undutiful girl, I cast you off for ever. So there's one word for all. [Exit: Sir William follows him. Belin. What will become of me his inhumanity overcomes me quite-I can never consent: the very sight of this picture is enough to forbid it. Oh! Beverley, you are master of my heart. I'll go this instant-and-heavens! I can scarce move. I am

ready to faint.

Enter Sir JOHN.

Sir John. No tidings of her far or near.

C

Belin. How I tremble!-I shall fall-no help? Sir John. What do I see!-a young lady in distress! Belin. Oh! [Faints in his arms, and drops the picture. Sir John. She is fallen into a fit. Would my ser vants were in the way.

Lady RESTLESS. At her Window.

Lady Rest. Where can this barbarous man be gone to?-How l-under my very window!

Sir John. How cold she is!-quite cold

[Lays his hand to her cheek.

Lady Rest. How familiar he is with her!

Sir John. And yet she looks beautiful still.

Lady Rest. Does she so ?

Sir John. Her eyes open-how lovely they look! Lady Rest. Traitor!

Sir John. Her cheek begins to colour. Well, young lady, how fare you now, my dear?

Lady Rest. My dear too!

Belin. Heavens! where am I ?

Sir John. Repose yourself awhile, or will you step into my house ?

Lady Rest. No, truly, sha'n't she. Vile man but I will spoil your sport. I will come down to you directly, and flash confusion in your face.

[Exit from above. Sir John. Where do you live, madam ? Belin. In Queen's-square, sir, by the side of the Park.

Sir John. I will wait upon you: trust yourself with

me. You look much better now.

Lean on my arm.

There, there, I will conduct you.

[Exeunt.

Enter Lady RESTLESS.

Lady Rest. Now I'll make one among ye. How! fled gone! which way? Is not that he, yonder ?-No-he went into my house, I dare say, as I came down stairs. Tattle, Tattle, Robert. Will nobody

answer?

Enter TATTLE.

Lady Rest. Where is Sir John?

Tat. La ma'am, how should I know?
Lady Rest. Did not he go in this moment?

Tat. No, ma'am.

Lady Rest. To be sure you will say so. I'll follow him through the world, or I'll find him out. So, so, -what is here --This is her picture, I suppose. I will make sure of this at least: this will discover her to me, tho' she has escaped now. Cruel, false, deceitful man! [Exit.

Tat. Poor lady! I believe her head is turned, for my part. Well! I am determined I'll look out for another place, that's a sure thing I will.

[Exit.