my house---to my heart!--banish from my memory the errors of Lady Danvers, and once more be alive to the virtues of my long-lov'd daughter.

Lady. Can you be fo generous?---I'll die e'er I a fecond time forfake you--and yet my motherMrs. Seymour. Nay; nor you, my fon, neither of you must doubt Mifs Union.

Tom. Not doubt her !---for my part I don't know her, for except when the Thames is froze over, I am never at home.

Mrs. Seymour. She is my dearest friend, and is fo fond of your fociety (to Lady) that I must keep my word with her---come---Mr. Seymour, let me fee you to-morrow--for you, Mr. Ap-Hazard, the only reparation you can make me, is to quit my houfe this inftant. [Exit with Lady Danvers.

Tom. (after a pause) Papa.

Ap-Hazard. Tommy, was there ever fuch luck?

Tom. Luck! afcribe it to luck! its all owing to impudence, vice--

Ap-Hazard. There now! this is always the way. When one man gets down in life and another gets up, the world exclaims, " its all owing to good or bad conduct;" I fay, its owing to good or bad luck; and I afk you candidly, when you were fhipwreck'd on the coaft of Batterfea, was it good luck or good management that made you land in feven inch water, noble Captain?

Tom. Come, there's a great deal in chance to be fure, and as the tide is against you, its unfailor. like to add to your diftrefs---fo forget and forgive my boy! nay, you were merry enough just now--what was the good news, that made you-cry--"Trumps! trumps!"

Ap

Ap-Hazard. I forgot that---there's a card yet. -(kiffes newspaper)---fweet creature, I'll go to her directly---look Captain, read that advertife

ment.

Tom. (reading newspaper)" Matrimony!---a Lady who has a heart to difpofe of, would be happy to unite herself to a man of fenfe and honour.

Ap-Hazard. That's me.

Tom. (Reads.) "She is indifferent about a fortune, as fhe has two thousand a year in a brassmanufactory---apply to Mifs U------, No. 402, Grosvenor-ftreet.-N. B. She would prefer an officer in the army or navy."---Ay; that's me. Ap-Hazard. You fee---I'll go directly, Tom. No---you don't---I'll go. Ap-Hazard. You go!

Tom. Yes; I'll go---don't you fee fhe prefers an officer in the navy, and do you think I'd fuffer my honour'd father to marry a woman made of brafs?---no, no---I'll go; and, if I fucceed, I'll not only return all the prize I took from you, but give you a third of her booty befide.

Ap-Hazard. Will you? gad! I want the money, not the wife, and as you're fo fortunate a fellow--Tom. And you fo unfortunate a one, that you'd fink a fhip.

Ap-Hazard. A navy by heavens! fo its a bargain, Captain---we'll go to La Fleece'em's, where I'm to take my feat in my new uniform, and then you fhall vifit the Lady.

Tom. No, not till to-morrow---this is the most important day in the whole year---the Vauxhall failing match, you rogue--the Sprightly Kitty is fure of the Cup, and then think what eclât it will give my introduction. (Looks at his watch) Oh!

its time to be on board---fo go to La Fleece'em's alone--put on your new uniform---here's fomething to warm the pockets with, (giving him money) and now if you get into a fcrape--

Ap-Hazard (putting money in his long purfe) I know how to get out of it--what's to pay, noble Captain, what's to pay? [Exeunt.

END OF ACT THE SECOND.

АСТ

АСТ III.

SCENE.An Apartment in Mifs UNION'S Houfe.

Enter SIR BAMBER BLACKLETTER and LADY

DANVERS.

Sir Bamber. Send for a Proctor, did you fay! ---have you applied to Mrs. Seymour?

Lady. I have, fir, but there is no end to my mother's credulity----this morning I informed her, that Mifs Union wish'd me to gain a divorce from Sir Charles, in order that I might marry Mr. Orville---nay :---that she had even fent for a Proctor to confult on the fubject, and confequently that while I remain'd in this houfe, I knew I fhould be expos'd to one continued fcene of danger and of infult.

Sir Bamber. Well !---and what was Mrs. Seymour's anfwer!

Lady. That fhe difbelieved the whole ftory, and bid me beware how I accuf'd Mifs Union falfely---stay here I will not---I'd rather die than pass another night under this roof---Oh, fir !---you were once a friend to me.

Sir Bamber. So I am ftill---I'm a friend to the whole fex---that is to the young part---for though I'm very fond of old books, because they fometimes fetch a great price, I've no attachment for old women, for they never fetch any price at all--I tell you what---though I dare fay Mifs Union. and Mrs. Seymour have both good reafons for their conduct,

5

conduct, yet there fhall always be a place in my library for fuch a beautiful octavo as your Ladyfhip---you fhall come to my house.

Lady. Will you be so generous?

Sir Bamber. To be fure I will---od!!---Charles. is fomewhat in my books again, and if I could find the young runaway---where can he have hid himfelf?

Lady. I have not heard from him fince we parted, and if he knew how I regarded him--Ah, fir!---but for Mifs Union's influence, we might be still united---I not fuffering separation! ---nor he in danger of a prifon.

Sir Bamber. Not a word against Miss Union---fhe poffeffes the Chaucerian Manufcript---the dear delicious Trickarinda !---and now I think on't-if I'm found decoying you from her house she' be fo offended---Oh Lord !---I fhall lofe the darling treasure.

Lady. Nay, fir!---Mifs Union need'nt know where I'm gone, nor that you are concern'd in my escape.

Sir Bamber. True :---if it could be manag'd-let me fee---now for a plot---I'm well read in old plays and I have it---are you not going to the Opera to night?

Lady. I am--I fit in Mifs Union's box.

Sir Bamber. Then I'll meet you there and find a way to get off unfeen---it's a modern plot, but fo much the better----like the plots in modern plays, it's not likely to be found out---(knocking at the door.)---This is the Proctor, perhaps,---(Enter a fervant.)---Who is it?

Servant. A ftrange gentleman, who wants to fee my miftrefs, fir. [Exit. Sir Bamber. Ay ay ---it's the Proctor-let us

get