Ld. T. How? Where? When?

L. T. That I can't tell; nay, I don't say there was -I am willing to believe as favourably of my nephew

as I can.

Ld. T. I don't know that.

[Half aside.

L. 7. How? Don't you believe that, say you, my lord?

Ld. T. No, I don't say so-I confess I am troubled to find you so cold in his defence.

I.. T. His defence! Bless me, would you have me defend an ill thing?

Ld. T. You believe it then?

L. T. I don't know; I am very unwilling to speak my thoughts in any thing that may be to my cousin's disadvantage; besides, I find, my lord, you are prepared to receive an ill impression from any opinion of mine which is not consenting with your own: but since I am like to be suspected in the end, and 't is a pain any longer to dissemble, I own it to you; in short I do believe it, nay, and can believe any thing worse, if it were laid to his charge-Don't ask me my reasons, my lord, for they are not fic to be told you.

Ld. T. I am amazed! Here must be something more than ordinary in this. [Aside.] Not fit to be told me, madam? You can have no interest wherein I am not concerned, and consequently, the same reasons ought to be convincing to me, which create your satisfaction or disquiet.

L. T. But those which cause my disquiet I am willing to have remote from your hearing. Good my lord, don't press me.

Ld. T. Don't oblige me to press you.

L. T. Whatever it was, 't is past; and that is better to be unknown which cannot be prevented; therefore, let me beg you to rest satisfied..

Ld. T. When you have told me, I will

J.. 7. You won't."

Ld. T. By my life, my dear, I will.

L. T. What if you cannot.

Ld. T. How? Then I must know; nay, I will.No more trifling-I charge you to tell me-By all our mutual peace to come; upon your duty

L. T. Nay, my lord, you need say no more to make me lay my heart before you, but do n't be thus transported; compose yourself; it is not of concern to make you lose one minute's temper; 't is not, indeed, my dear." Nay, by this kiss you shan't be angry.”. O lord, I wish I had not told you any thing-Indeed, my lord, you have frighted me. Nay, look

pleased, I'll tell you.

Ld. T. Well, well.

L. T. Nay, but will you be calm ?- -Indeed it is nothing but

Ld. T. But what?

L. T. But will you promise me not to be angry?—~ Nay, you must not to be angry with Mellefont-I dare swear he's sorry-and were it to do again, would

not

Ld. T. Sorry for what? 'Death, you rack me with delay.

L. T. Nay, no great matter, only-Well, I have

your promise-pho, why nothing, only your nephew had a mind to amuse himself sometimes with a little gallantry towards me. Nay, I can't think he meant any thing seriously, but methought it looked oddly. Ld. T. Confusion and hell, what do I hear!

66

L. T. Or, may be, he thought he was not enough akin to me upon your account, and had a mind to create a nearer relation on his own; a lover, you know, my lord-ha, ha, ha. Well, but that 's all-" Now you have it;" well, remember your promise, my lord, and don't take any notice of it to him. Ld. T. No, no, no-Damnation! L. T. Nay, I swear you must not less mirth-only misplaced, that's all. more, 'tis over now, and all is well. I have forgot it; and so has he, I hope not heard any thing from him these two days.

a little harm

But if it were

For my part,

for I have

Ld. T. These two days! Is it so fresh? Unnatural villain! 'Death, I'll have him stripped and turned naked out of my doors this moment, and let him rot and perish, incestuous brute!

L. T. Oh, for heaven's sake, my lord, you 'll ruin me if you take such public notice of it, it will be a town-talk: consider your own and my honour-Nay, I told you, you would not be satisfied when you

knew it.

Ld. T. Before I've done I will be satisfied. Ungrateful monster! How long?

L. T. Lord, I don't know- -I wish my lips had grown together when I told you-Almost a twelve

month-Nay, I won't tell you any more 'till you are yourself. Pray, my lord, don't let the company see you in this disorder-Yet, I confess, I cannot blame you; for I think I was never so surprized in my life -Who would have thought my nephew could have so misconstrued my kindness-But will you go into your closet, and recover your temper. I'll make an excuse of sudden business to the company, and come to you. Pray, good, dear my lord, let me beg you do now: I'll come immediately, and tell you allWill you, my lord?

Ld. T. I will-I am mute with wonder.

L. T. Well, but go now, here is somebody coming.

Ld. T. Well, I go-You won't stay, for I would hear more of this

[Exit.

Mask. This was a master-piece, and did not need my help though I stood ready for a cue to come in and confirm all, had there been occasion.

L. T. Have you seen Mellefont?

Mask. I have; and am to meet him here about this time.

L. T. How does he bear his disappointment?

Mask. Secure in my assistance, he seemed not much afflicted, but rather laughed at the shallow artifice, which so little time must of necessity discover. Yet he is apprehensive of some farther design of your's,

and has engaged me to watch you. I believe he will hardly be able to prevent your plot, yet I would have you use caution and expedition.

L. T. Expedition indeed; for all we do must be performed in the remaining part of this evening, and before the company break up, lest my lord should cool, and have an opportunity to talk with him privately-My lord must not see him again.

Mask. By no means; therefore you must aggravate my lord's displeasure to a degree that will admit of no conference with him.- -What think you of mentioning me?

L. T. How?

Mask. To my lord, as having been privy to Mellefont's design upon you, but still using my utmost endeavours to dissuade him: "tho' my friendship and "love to him has made me conceal it; yet you may say, I threatened the next time he attempted any 66 thing of that kind, to discover it to my lord." L. T. To what end is this?

Mask. It will confirm my lord's opinion of my honour and honesty, and create in him a new confidence in me, which (should this design miscarry) will be necessary to the forming another plot that I have in my head- -to cheat you as well as the rest.

[Aside. L. T. I'll do it-I'll tell him you hindered him once from forcing me.

Mask. Excellent! your ladyship has a most improving fancy. You had best go to my lord, keep him as