you. I know his heart, and I know yours-one has my love-my efteem-the other

Sir George. Has what, my fweet creature?
Mrs. Darnley. My scorn.

Sir George. Nay then-I must tell you, that when I condefcend to love a woman, I always infift on making her happy; and therefore, with opportunity on my fide, and the whole world to lay the blame on your husband

Mrs. Darnley. On him! the world is not fo eafily deceiv'd: but left it fhould, I'll vindicate his fame-I'll proclaim the falfehood of his friend-his perfidy

Sir George. Gently-gently-I fee I must take advantage now or never! (goes to the door.) Mrs. Darnley. What do you mean, fir?

Sir George. Firft to faften the door, and then, my angel-(As he opens it to faflen it clofely, Gingham enters and pushes by him.)

Gingham. And then, my angel-to give you two hundred pounds-this note, ma'am, is Mr. Darnley's-it accidentally, fell into my hands, and I defignedly place it in yours-put it up, ma'am-keep it tight in your pocket; for what with one having a rage for difguifes-another having a rage for fwindling-a third-(Seeing Sir George.)-ha! my judge of good breeding, is it you?

Sir George. This blockhead has ruin'd one fcheme already, I fee.

Gingham. I'll tell you a fecret, Sir George; you fashionable people are very vulgar---it is your fine clothes, gay equipages, and superb houfes that are well bred, and not yourselves, egad! now only pull off that fpangled coat---stick yourself behind a counter, and

Sir George. Sir, don't you fee I'm bufy?
Gingham. To be fure I do.

Sir George. Why don't you leave the room, then?

Gingham. Because I've no where else to go. Sir George. Then I command you: this lady and I are engag'd.

Mrs. Darnley. Engag'd, Sir George!-Sir, (to Gingham.) if you'll conduct me to Mr. Darnley, I fhall think myself a fecond time indebted to your gallantry.

Sir George, Madam, I infift-(Croffing Mrs. D. and taking ber by the band.)-retire this inftant, Sir-retire

Gingham. Oh, I perceive-he detains her for bafe purposes! Oh fie, fie!-fie for fhame, Sir George is this your good breeding-your hand, ma'am-(Trying to pafs Sir George.)

Sir George. 'Sdeath-obey me, or this sword, with which I've fo often fought

Gingham. Often fought! what, in earnest? Sir George. Rafcal! draw.

Gingbam. No-I'd rather not.

Sir George. What! you don't like to fight! Gingham. No-who the devil does? but you call me rascal, fir-now I've been long in doubt whether I am one or not-but if I was half as clear on the fubject as you must be, I'd own it publicly-I'd fay, "I, Sir George Gauntlet, am fuch a rude-ill bred-vulgar-"

Sir George. Coward!-come on-(Drawing bis fword.)

Gingham. Come on!-Well! why shouldn't I? I may be alarm'd at mafculine women, but I don't care that-Snapping his fingers.)—for effeminate

K2

feminate men! fo, though I never learnt to fence in all my life-though I don't know whether to hold my fword in my right hand or my left, have at thee!-ha!-ha!

Sir GEORGE and GINGHAM make two or three pafJes, when loud knocking at the door interrupts them.

Sir George. Zounds !-if this fhould be Darnley-(looks out.)-it is! I'm ruin'd-undone ! Gingham. Ay, ay, I must take leffons-I'm touch'd-pink'd-(baking his hand, which is flightly wounded.)

Sir George. If I ftir, I meet Darnley-hark'ye, Sir-(afide to Gingham.) that lady's husband is now on the ftairs, and your prefent wound is only a flight one; but if you hint or speak one word against my honour

Gingham. You'll run me through the body, I fuppofe-well! as I can't fence-mum !

Sir George. I fhall not leave the room-I shall be conceal'd, and on the slightest infinuation, by heaven! I'll come forth and cut you into atoms: promife or you know my way

Gingham. I do-I'll live and fight another day.

Sir GEORGE goes behind the Library unperceiv'd by GINGHAM or by Mrs. DARNLEY.

Gingham. I wish I knew the name of Sir George's fencing-mafter-(Mrs. Darnley comes to him.)-My dear ma'am, don't be uneafy—it's only graz'd, and if they don't send doctors and apothecaries to me, I fhall live to pink him, again and again.

Mrs.

Mrs. Darnley. Let me bind your hand, with my handkerchief. (Darnley enters behind.) Indeed— indeed, I owe you much.

Darnley. (till behind.) 'Tis now beyond a doubt-Oh woman! woman!

Gingham. (to Mrs. Darnley.) You havn't got the rage-no, you are what a woman ought to be; mild, gentle, affectionate-an angel, by all that's facred.

Darnley. How ! make love before my face!(advances.) So, Mrs. Darnley

Mrs. Darnley. Oh, my dear!-I'm so glad you're come-this gallant, generous young

man

Darnley. Generous young man !

Mrs. Darnley. Has been wounded in my cause, and

Darnley. And you bound up his arm, with your handkerchief!-nay, don't deny it, madam -with my own eyes, I faw it-well, fir! what' have you to say, fir ? to that handkerchief, fir?

Gingham. Say, fir!-why, I fay, the handkerchief is as fine cambrick as ever was foldtwelve fhillings a yard, fir !—at leaft I used to fell fuch for a guinea-a guinea, Mr. Bluffas to any thing elfe, if you are the lady's hufband

Darnley. I am her husband, fir!-who has long lov'd-long ador'd her !—and now comes here to witness her falfehood and his own difhonour. Mrs. Darnley. What does he fay ?—disho

nour !

Darnley. Yes, madam-with him! with this gallant, generous young man ! did he not last night accompany you from the play, and now do I not find you praifing each other to my very face?

face? obferve me, Maria-as you have found me tender in my affections, fo you fhall find me fevere in my refentment.

Mrs. Darnley. I know not what he means, but I thought they'd make him hate me-İ guilty of falfehood! difhonour to my hufband! Oh, Harry! if you believe me fo debas'd, take up that weapon, and pierce me to the heart! in pity do! I cannot live and know that you condemn me.

Darnley. (taking her hand.) Do you not love him?

Mrs. Darnley. Whom?

Darnley. (pointing to Gingham.) Him.

Gingham. Me!-love me! I wifh fhe did, for if I didn't ufe her better than you do, I'd cut my jealous head off!-look'ye, great lord and mafter :-she is more faithful to you, than you deferve---I know it, because juft before you enter'd the room, Sir George Gauntlet, like a vile feducer as he is, was attempting to(here a book falls from the library.) crau---au---au! (checking himself.) I shall be a dead man before I

know it.

Darnley. Sir George Gauntlet !-paltry evafions! he is out of town, and has fo often prov'd himself a friend

Mrs. Darnley. Friend !-Oh, Mr. Darnley ! at laft I am compell'd to tell you, he is your enemy and mine-it is that very friend, who would deftroy your domeftic peace; who would rob you of a heart, that is, and ever fhall be all your own! and that, even now might have triumph'd o'er a helpless woman, had not his friendly arm been ftretch'd to ferve me.

Gingham.