SCENE II.

Changes to VIOLANTE's Lodging. Enter VIOLANTE and ISABELLA.

Isab. The hour draws on, Violante, and now my heart begins to fail me; but I resolve to venture for all that.

Vio. What, does your courage sink, Isabella? Isab. Only the force of resolution a little retreated, but I'll rally it again for all that.

Vio. I will.

Enter FLORA.

Flo. Don Felix is coming up, madam.

Isab. My brother! which way shall I get out ?— Dispatch him as soon as you can, dear Violante. [Exit into the closet.

Enter FELIX, in a surly humour.

Felix, what brings you home so soon? did I not say

to-morrow?

Fel. My passion chokes me; I cannot speak—Oh, I shall burst! [Aside. Throws himself into a chair.

Vio. Bless me! are you not well, my Felix ?
Fel. Yes-No-I don't know what I am.

Vio. Hey-day what's the matter now? another jealous whim!

Fel. With what an air she carries it I sweat at her impudence.

[Aside.

Vio. If I were in your place, Felix, I'd choose to stay at home when these fits of spleen are upon me, and not trouble such persons as are not obliged to bear with them. [Here he affects to be careless of her.

Fel. I am very sensible, madam, of what you mean: I disturb you, no doubt; but were I in a better hu mour, I should not incommode you less: I am too well convinced you could easily dispense with my visit.

Vio. When you behave yourself as you ought to do, no company so welcome-but when you reserve me for your ill-nature, I wave your merit, and consider what's due to myself. And I must be free to tell you, Felix, that these humours of yours will abate, if not absolutely destroy, the very principles of love.

Fel. [Rising.] And I must be so free to tell you, madam, that since you have made such ill returns to the respect that I have paid you, all you do shall be indifferent to me for the future; and you shall find me abandon your empire with so little difficulty, that I'll convince the world your chains are not so hard to break as your vanity would tempt you to believe.-I cannot brook the provocation you give.

Vio. This is not to be borne-insolent! you abandon! you! whom I have so often forbad ever to see me more! Have you not fall'n at my feet? implored my favour and forgiveness? did you not trembling wait, and wish, and sigh, and swear, yourself into my heart? Ungrateful man! if my chains are so easily broke as you pretend, then you are the silliest coxcomb living you did not break them long

ago; and I must think him capable of brooking any thing, on whom such usage could make no impression. "Isab. [Peeping.] A deuce take your quarrels! "she'll never think on me."

Fel. I always believed, madam, my weakness was the greatest addition to your power; you would be less imperious had my inclination been less forward to oblige you. You have indeed forbad me your sight, but your vanity even then assured you I would return, and I was fool enough to feed your pride.Your eyes, with all their boasted charms, have acquired the greatest glory in conquering me—————and the brightest passage of your life is wounding this heart with such arms as pierce but few persons of my rank. [Walks about in a great pet. Vio. Matchless arrogance! True, sir, I should have kept measures better with you, if the conquest had been worth preserving; but we easily hazard what gives us no pain to lose.- -As for my eyes, you are mistaken if you think they have vanquished none but you: there are men above your boasted rank who have confess'd their power, when their misfortune in pleasing you made them obtain such a disgraceful victory.

Fel. Yes, madam, I am no stranger to your vic tories.

Vio. And what you call the brightest passage of my life is not the least glorious part of yours.

Fel. Ha, hal don't put yourself in a passion, madam; for, I assure you, after this day I shall give

you no trouble.—You may meet your sparks on the Terriero de passa at four in the morning, without the least regard to me-for, when I quit your chamber, the world sha'n't bring me back.

Vio. I am so well pleased with your resolution, I don't care how soon you take your leave.- -But what you mean by the Terriero de passa at four in the morning I cann't guess.

Fel. No, no, no, not you." You was not upon the Terriero de passa at four this morning.

Vio. No, I was not; but if I were, I hope I may walk where I please, and at what hour I please, without asking your leave.

Fel. Oh, doubtless, madam! and you might meet Colonel Briton there, and afterwards send your emissary to fetch him to your house-and, upon your father's coming in, thrust him into your bed-chamber-without asking my leave. 'Tis no business of mine, if you are exposed among all the footmen in town-nay, if they ballad you, and cry you about at a halfpenny apiece-they may without my leave.

-don't: my

Vio. Audacious! don't provoke mereputation is not to be sported with [Going up to him.] at this rate-no, sir, it is not. [Bursts into tears.] Inhuman Felix -Oh, Isabella! what a train of ills thou hast brought on me! [Aside. Fel. Ha! I cannot bear to see her weep-a woman's tears are far more fatal than our swords. [Aside.] Oh, Violante-'Sdeath! what a dog am I Now have I no power to stir.Dost not thou know such

a person as Colonel Briton? Pr'ythee tell me, didst not thou meet him at four this morning upon the Terriero de passa?

Vio. Were it not to clear my fame, I would not answer thee, thou black ingrate!-but I cannot bear to be reproached with what I even blush to think of, much less to act. By Heaven, I have not seen the Terriero de passa this day.

Fel. Did not a Scotch footman attack you in the street neither, Violante ?

Vio. Yes; but he mistook me for another-or he was drunk, I know not which.

Fel. And do not you know this Scotch colonel ? Vio. Pray ask me no more questions: this night shall clear my reputation, and leave you without excuse for your base suspicions. More than this I shall not satisfy you, therefore pray leave me.

Fel. Didst thou ever love me, Violante ?

Vio. I'll answer nothing-You was in haste to be gone just now; I should be very well pleased to be alone, sir. [She sits down, and turns aside. Fel. I shall not long interrupt your contempla tion. -Stubborn to the last. [Aside. Vio. Did ever woman involve herself as I have done!

Fel. Now would I give one of my eyes to be friends with her, for something whispers to my soul, she is not guilty.-[He pauses, then pulls a chair, and sits by her at a little distance, looking at her some time without speaking, then draws a little nearer to her.] Give me