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terfly pody-fays he, " Aw! Aw! dem'me! I always go uninvited to married people's houses; for man and wife never speak-and, therefore, each fuppofes the other has asked you-aw-aw-dem'me." Oh! 'tis fad work-fad work.

Leonard. Difgufting fight! Lavish his fortune on a defpicable fet, who, if he died to-morrow

Shenkin. Died! tear! tear! they do never know when one another die, never: For inteed, and upon my life, my Lady did fend me with cards of invitation to her friend Captain Humdrum the whole winter long. And fhe would have gone on till now, only the widow did call one day, returned Lady Melmoth thanks for her many polite invitations, and extremely regretted it was not in the Captain's power to accept them, as he was buried fix months before in St. Anne's church-yard.-But look you-I do forget my meffage-Sir Herbert do wait for you about cutting off your tail, you do know.

Leonard. I will fee more before I come-I would obferve this lady Melmoth. (More music.)

[Exit Shenkin.

Enter Lady Melmoth and Georgiana.

Lady M. Come, Mr. Leonard, why ftand frowning there? Why don't you join in our pleasures?

Leonard. Simply, Madans, because I take no pleasure in them.

Lady M. Indeed! Why now, perhaps, if I were to think a good deal, that might be my cafe also-but no-one dare not be old fashioned, you know.

Leonard. I dare, madam. I can prefer real happiness to artificial pleasure.-1 do not game, because it don't pleafe me I do not drink from the felf-fame motiveand I am not extravagant, because I feel more gratification at paying the tradefinen who fupply my table, than in entertaining a million of fycophants around

it.

Lady M. Nay, now you are too fevere, Mr. Leonard.
One must keep up appearances; and, if now and

then

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then one didn't entertain fumptuously, the world would call one felfifh, prudent-.

Leonard. Let them call you fo. Who can be honeft that is not prudent? Ay, you may fmile; but whilst I am prudent, I can fmile too;-and I hope there are ftill thinking beings in the world, who will not call me narrow hearted because I am not expenfive, or a hypo, crite because I am not a profligate.

Lady M. Come, Georgiana, let us go to the ball room. I dare fay I ought to reflect on all this; but reflection produces vexation, and vexation hurts the complexion, and fo-you had better follow, Mr, Leonard. Leonard. No, Madam, I can stay alone.

Lady M. Adieu, then; and I wish you much pleasure from your company (going, returns). Oh, I forgotif you fee Sir Herbert, do tell him to make hafte with those tiresome parchments; for I want to pay Mr. Malcour two or three hundred pounds I've just loft to him at piquêtte. I alfo want money for Caffino, and a thousand things. Adieu! You had better follow, Mr. Leonard. [Exit.

Georgiana. Now, are you fatisfied?

Leonard. I am;-to fign will ruin, not relieve him! And yet look there-it is my father comes! Alas! my heart is fo entwined with his he has been fo kind a parent-fo fincere a friend

Georgiana. How! ftill irrefolute! (takes his band) for his fake for your own! Nay, for my thoughtless -coufin's here, who is not, now, the mistress of her reafon;-Oh, then, for mine! I have a ftrong and fecret motive here-and if I ask it as the first request

Leonard (preffing her band). 'Tis granted-'tis unalterable-your wifhes triumph over his.

[Exit Georgiana at the back scene, and

Enter Sir Herbert from the wing.

Sir Herb. So, Sir, as I thought, 'tis Georgiana keeps you from your duty-'Sdeath! why ftand loitering here, when the deeds wait your fignature? Come, come, no more delay.

B 4

Leonard.

Leonard. Stay, Sir-one word-when thefe conveyances are executed, is there an acre of paternal land left to support you?

Sir Herb. No-but what of that? We've an equivalent in thirty thousand pounds.

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Leonard. True; and, that expended, no resource re mains.

Sir Herb. None; you know there is no other.

Leonard. Farewell! Sir-fpare me the conflict, pity, and forgive me.

Sir Herb. What! would you facrifice your father? ..Leonard. No, Sir-I would fave my father.

Sir Herb. Away! mean-selfish

Leonard. Selfish! Oh! you should know me better, Sir. Place me at the lighted cannon's mouth, and fay my death will ease you of a momentary pang, and I, with joy, will meet it-But, this-what is it you afk me? You bid me forfeit those hereditary claims, which, for whole centuries, have been our family's fupport, and in old age had still been yours and mine-not to relieve you from misfortune-not to expend in honorable uses, fuch as to cheer the poor, and wipe away the widow's and the orphan's tear-No-but to wafte in prodigality, and by indulging an unthinking woman, to ruin her, deftroy your son, and in eternal forrow plunge your

felf.

Sir Herb. Have a care, Sir-recollect who you are.

Leonard. Oh! would I could forget! for fure 'tis time, when I am reduced to speak fuch words to fuch a father. But obferve me, Sir-I fign thefe deeds-the money they produce is lavifh'd on your wife-in a few months 'tis fquandered all in vanity and vice-the hour of diftrefs enfues-defpair, penury, imprisonment awaits you! And then, when Leonard should come forth and ferve you, he too is deftitute and loft! and love which palliates your crime, only increases his-for he beholds you on a precipice--blinded by paffion and bereft of thought, and has not courage to oppose and fave you. Sir Herb. Peace, I command you,-I will hear no more. (in great agitation.)

Leonard.

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Leonard. Now mark the other picture (taking bold of his arm)-I decline the execution-for the first time I dare to difobey you-I leave your house-I am despised -difgraced-and your embarraffments commence money cannot be raised without fecurity, and the day of extravagance ceafes-your wife lofes her fashionable friends-she is compell'd to domefticate-she reflects— fhe fees the comforts of connubial love-fhe repentsyou are beloved and happy-but money is ftill wanting to enfure that happiness.-You fend for Leonard-he flies to meet you-you tell him what has paft-tears of joy awhile choak his utterance-he falls at your feet, and exclaims, "take the eftate, the whole is yours, and, thank heaven! I have preferved it for my father."Now, Sir, which conduct is most noble? which is the moft worthy of a fon?

Sir Herb. This is all artifice-evafion-and I would hail with joy the ills you talk of, rather than be indebted for a moment's fafety to an ungrateful, avaricious fon. Begone-return whence you came-and to your country prove your duty, better than you have proved it to your father.

Leonard. Yes-let me go.-I ftill have ample confolation; for, when next we meet, thofe frowns will be converted into fimiles.-Farewell! farewell! And yet our parting once was different-if I left you for a day, you used to speak fuch tender and endearing words.

Sir Herb. Away! if you wou'd please me, leave me. Leonard. Well, well. I will obey, and cheerfullyfor if I stay, I fhall relapfe, and grant him all he afks. Once more, farewell!-and though your thoughts are all devoted to another object, mine ftill are fix'd upon the fame-yes, for myself I care not. But, bless him, heaven! blefs the beft of fathers! [Exit.

Sir Herb. 'Tis plain, 'tis evident.-This is the work of Georgiana; they parted as I entered, and with these emphatic words, "Your wishes triumph over his."-Oh! he would keep the fortune for herfelf-fhe'd fee the lovely Ellen ruin'd-beggar'd! But I will difp. POLLE

point her fordid views I'll banish hence all confcientions fcruples, and give her to the man who offers me that aid my worthlefs fon denies me.-So fhall I fave myself, and punish her.-Shenkin.

Shenkin. Sir!

Enter Shenkin.

...

Sir Herb. Go instantly to the ball-room, and watch Georgiana-prevent her leaving the house.-I fufpect fhe will elope with my fon.

Shenkin. Elope !

Sir Herb. Yes-and therefore this night fhall make her another's. And mind, now, whilft I go myself for Dr. Infallible, do you take care the don't efcape.Mind, and be wary.-Oh! now comes my triumph.

[Exit

Shenkin. Plefs my foul! I do think I will elope myself, for inteed, 'tis time to go out of the houfe, now the tevil has got into it. Tear! tear! watch Mifs Georgiana-turn fpy-gaoler! Yes, I will watch her, but it fhall be to affift, not to opprefs her ;-and then, look you-good b'w'ye, Sir Herbert. I will not difgrace my ancestors, tho' you do yours--no-I will go home to my poor mother, and tell her I've not only maintain'd the pride of pedigree, but, what is dearer to us both, the pride of confcience and of virtue. [Exit.

SCENE III.-An Apartment at Sir Herbert's.-
Folding Doors in flat.

Enter Curlitor.

Curfitor. So the hour's out-the time allowed by thefe bloody-minded feconds is expired, and I must return to be fhot in that room, or fubmit to be posted and difgraced. Zounds! I offered fair enough-either to take or to make an apology;-or, if that wou'dn't do, I offered to fight him at forty yards.But no, nothing will fatisfy thefe favages.

Enter

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