Guardy, if you would lend him two hundred pounds. Flush. Two hundred pounds, child ! Flush. Who bid you speak, sir?-Why, Clara, in money matters there is an etiquette. Clara. True : but this is your friend. Gingham. So it is, ma’ain : the man he has a great regard for. Clara. And when you consider the charms of Mrs. Darnley, and the wants of her children Ginghan. He can't refuse, ma'am-indeed he don't intend it and therefore as I fee he means to grant the favour, I'll save him the trouble of putting his hand in his pocket-Here ma'am! (taking out bank notes) here are two bank notes of a hundred each-they belong to Mr. Flushnow they belong to Mr.Darnley---(Flush gets in his way and prevents Clara's taking them)—he begs you'll give them to his friend—and present his compliments—and say, he'll double the suin. Flush. Stand off-stand off-or by heavens I'll Gingham. (Offering Clara the notes across his father) Double the sum, whenever called upon, ma'am. Fluß. Hold your tongue, or I'll knock it down your throat, firrah.--I say, Clara, in the the way of business, I've no objection to do Mr. Darnley a service; that is, if I can make a profit by it-first, he should send me his note. Clara. Here it is, fir. (Giving it to Flush.) Flush. That's right-now 'we can proceedhere, fir--(Giving the note to Gingham.) take the note to my agent, and tell him to give Mr. Darnley thirty pounds—I can afford it. G2 Gingham. Gingham. This is too bad—take in his own friend, and a man with a family. (afide.) Sir,-a word if you please—I told you, we were all blown upon—now here's an opportunity for retrieving our reputation—lend him the two hundred pounds-prove, for once, we can behave like gentlemen, and hark’ye—we Than't reach the top of the profession. (Putting up his neckclorh.) Flush. This is beyond bearing-quit the room directly—'sdeath! leave my houfe, fir, begone !--I disinherit you-I Clara. Lord !-why so angry, guardian ? I'm sure he is a good young man, and as warın in his heart Fluf. Warm in his heart !--nonsense !-will he be warm in the funds ? no--never-while he is so candid-so Clara. Not while he is candid, fir ? Flus. No-do you think I made my fortune by.candour or openness; answer me, fir-did I ever get a shilling by speaking the truthspeak! Gingham. (In a melancholy voice.) No, fir, I never faid you did I know the contrary, fir ; madam, I'm of a communicative disposition, I own; but there are many secrets of my father's I never blabb'd. Flush. Are there, sir? Gingham. Don't you? Why, now, did I ever mention, fir, that you got these pictures by sueing out execution ? That you got that plate, by its being pawn’d to you for half its value ; that you intrigue with a female money-lender ; and that the last time you were made a bankrupt, you you went to get your certificate signed in a new vis-a-vis ? did I, or will I ever mention these things? Flush. Begone, fir—I'll never see you moreYet, stay-you have papers in your poffesfion; meet me in an hour's time at my agent's, firat Mr. Ready's. Gingham. Forgive me this once, father ; I'll never let the cat out any more. Flush. No, fir, I never will forgive youI am engaged, fir, and you know we great men are select in our company. Gingham. Well, if it must be so-farewell, father! the world is all before me, and what trade to follow, Heaven only knows. Good bye, madam-- your sex will never befriend me, because I can't keep a secret, you see. Clara. I will befriend you, fir; for while there is so much deception and hypocrisy in the world, it would indeed be unjuít not to approve such frankness and honesty. Guardy, let me intercede for him ; I'll answer for his conduct. Gingham. Ay; and if ever I mention ducking or swindling again—There, you see he's fix'd, ma'am. Clara. At present he is, and therefore leave him; perhaps by the time you meet him at the agent's I shall have talk'd bim into good hu Adieu: depend on't, I than't forget your generous intentions. Gingham. Nor shall I, yours: and if Fortune smiles on me, I'll prove that I deserve your kindness-If ever my father pardons—but I fee he's more and more angry, 1o I take my leave. May every blessing attend you—may you meet with a heart as liberal as your own-May your cousins' mour. cousins' distresses vanish-may your guardian once more value a fon, who can't help speaking the truth for the foul of him. [Exit. Clara. Upon my word he's a charming man! and pardon him you must, Guardy, if it's only to please me. Fluß. No-I'm determined. Enter a Servant. Servant. The dinner's ready. Fluß. Come, Clara, you shall dine with me; I want to talk to you, and if I cou'd see my joint guardian, Sir Paul Clara. I met him at your door-he's only just gone by. Fluß. Just gone by! that's a mistake ; for the old beau has been gone by these thirty years : however, come income, and eat and drink what you like. Call for burgundy, champagne, or tokay-Ay, call for tokay, at a guinea a pint; I can afford it, my dear ward, I can afford it. [Exeunt. SCENE SCENE II.—The Crescent and the surrounding country. Enter Lady SARAH SAVAGE, and Sir GEORGE GAUNTLET. Lady Sarah. Sir George, I own my weakness; the proud, the haughty Lady Sarah is humbled : Darnley has enfnared my heart, and, one way or other, I must ensure his pity-Heigho! you are his friend, Sir George. Sir George. You see I am; and that he esteems me more than ever, is evident from his bringing Mrs. Darnley to my house---did you mind his orders to her ? ---take an airing, my dear, with Sir George in his phaeton! it will raise your spirits, my love !-Ha! ha! he absolutely throws her into my arms. Lady Sarah. Yes; but the absolutely contrives to get out of them again. Sir George. She does; and therefore, there is no way but the one I mentioned; we must make Darnley jealous. Lady Sarah. True :—I'll tell him that you love his wife. Sir George. Nay, nay, not me-fix on somebody cle--we'll soon find an object, and then, by convincing him of her falsehood, he naturally turns his thoughts to another woman; which is you, you know---and she wanting a protector, consequently flies to another man, which is me, you know---we'll add the Signor to the confederacy. Lady |