Lady M. Gen'rous creature! I'm most grateful; nor will his former fituation make the gift less welcome; for he's ennobl'd who's benevolent, whilst they, who are callous to the voice of charity, fink to the lowest rank of poverty and vice! Oh, now, here are the means, Sir Herbert. But why? Why does he delay? Sure had all been well, long, long 'ere this he had returned. Alas! My heart's fo full of fears and of forebodingsHark! what was that? The report of a pistol, and fo near as the Court-yard! merciful powers! 'Tis past! It is confirmed! (Approaches door and liftens.) Yes, they utter forth the dreadful found-Murder has been com mitted-Oh, I've no hope but to rush forth and perish with him. (as he is going), Enter Sir Herbert in great Agitation. Alive! In fafety? My husband! (falling on bis fhoulder.) Sir Herb. I know not: his piteous agonizing look still glares before me; and, coward like, I dare not to meet Could I behold those eyes that have fo beamed plea、 fure for the life I gave them.-Could I, when I deftroy'd -Oh Leonard! Leonard! it. Lady M. Leonard! Speak, I implore you-Where, where is your font Sir Herb. I have no fon; but now, he proffer'd me the whole eftate, provided I would part with you. He faid that Malcour wou'd receive you. This, know ing of your innocence, enraged and madden'd me, Words begat words, and feizing the piftol, which I bore about me, I fwore that moment I would perish at his feet, ere owe my fafety to a prefumptuous, disobedient fon! He tried to force the weapon from my hand, and in the ftruggle-Oh have mercy Heavens !-his breast received the fatal ball, and ftaggering to the earth, he groan'd, and Lady M. No-not died-he did not, fhall not die! (knocking at the door) Hark! you're discovered! Sir Sir Herb. I? what am I? my fon is finking to the grave, and perhaps a father's tears might balm-I'll go, and, -no-no-it will not be-my wound is deadly as his own. (Falls into a chair). Lady M. And-this-this havock is my-(pointing to Sir Herbert). Look here, ye votaries of diffipation! See if a life of gay, licentious pleasure can compenfate for fuch an hour as this! I know-I'm fure that in the fplendid equipage and dazzling drefs, ye never taste one moment of fubftantial joy-Then feek it in your husbands' and your childrens' hearts-make home a fhelter 'gainst the storm; and let it roar around, ftill fhall you find domeftic life the scene of peace! Oh! do you not curse-despise me? Sir Herb. No-in fpite of all forrow, ftill there's fo lace here-(rifes and embraces her) But my fon-Let us go make enquiry. Lady M. No-to your chamber-I'll feek, affift him -Come, come, retire while there's fafety. Oh! that the death blow had been all my own! [Exeunt. END OF THE FOURTH ACT. ACT V. SCENE I.-The Street.-Scene of Lincoln's Inn. Maktour. Enter Malcour and Tom Tick. YES ES; the hour of retribution is arriv'dand in Leonard's wounds all Malcour's wrongs fhall be reveng'd. Tom. Nay; but where is he? Where is my dying friend? Malcour. In my house, under my protection-And be his vile affaffin who he may, I will detect, and punish him. Tom. And do you as yet fufpect Malcour. I do I much fufpect his father. (Tom Starts) Aye: like you I am amazed, and fhudder to have caufe for my fufpicion. But when I find my friend affaffinated in the dark-hear him exclaim, "My cruel, cruel father!" And by his fide behold an instrument of death, mark'd with Sir Herbert's name Tom. Indeed! Malcour. Aye: and as corroborating proofs, when I reflect on the late quarrel, and that the eftate was wholly his on Leonard's death-Oh! if that dread event takes. place, think you he fhall efcape from juftice? No-I will inftantly accufe him (going). Tom. And I'll gain Poft Obit's confent, and return to your house with Georgiana. Malcour. Hold-fhe muft not fee him-If he's difturbed, his death is certain-Now, haughty Ellen, we'll see how much you prize a favour'd hufband's life; for there's a way to fave it. [Exit. Tom. Tom. Not difturb'd! nonfenfe! I'll to Lawyer Curfitor's directly, make my will in Post Obit's favour, and return with his preferving angel. And, now, thou blind goddess! keep others blind but for a few minutes longer, and I, and Leonard will be happy, in spite of duns, deathhunters, devils, and doctors. Exit. Enter (immediately) Dr. Infallible and Capias. Doctor. There he goes-that's him! Capias. Blefs you, I know Tom Tick as well as he knows Lenitive Capias-Why, we're fo familiar, that he always calls me by my Chriftian name. Doctor. Very well, then arreft him inftantly on that warrant for two hundred pounds-away!-Yet ftop as I mean Poft Obit fhould fee the great Thomas Tick in a fpunging houfe, what is your direction? Capias (pointing off the stage). There, number 197, Carey-ftreet;-And fhew me a smarter mansion than Lenitive Capias's. Doctor. Away-take the enemy prifoner. [Exit Capias. And now to fend Poft Obit to fee his rich friend in all his glory; and then Georgiana, left to herfelf, will be completely in my power. Ha! ha! there's a dofe for the whole trio! [Exit. SCENE II.—An Apartment at Capias's Spunging-bouse, very elegantly furnished.-Table, Chairs, &c. all modern and bandfome-Window Curtains up, and bars Seen at the Window. Enter Capias, with Candles, followed by Tom Tick, in great agitation, looking pate. Capias. Walk in, Mr. Tick, and be compofed (putting down candles). I declare you'll fret yourfelf quite ill. Come, come, you know there's nothing like a prifon about my Spunging-houfe. To be fure, the bars are a D 4 little little awkward, but we'll let down the curtains, and then, you may fancy yourself in your own lodgings.. (Capias lets down the curtains, and bars are concealed. Tom. Plague on't! nick'd at fuch a moment! defeated by that rafcally Doctor! my good fellow! my dear Lenitive-I've an appointment with a Lady-And, as a man of gallantry, I'm fure now-Do-do let me out for half an hour, will you? Capias. Piha! why don't you apply at once to your wealthy friend, Mr. Poft Obit? I told you before, if he'd pass his word for you, I'd take it; and you'd better make hafte, for I'm afraid there'll be plenty of detainers. Tom. I know it. I lofe my liberty! Georgiana her lover! Leonard his life, and all-my good, fweet Lenitive, this is the last place in which I would wish to fee Mr. Poft Obit;-and if you wont let me out for half an hour-do now-do lend me two hundred pounds for half an hour-upon my honour. Capias. What! you think you're likely to pay in half an hour? Tom. As likely as in half a century, Lenitive. Capias. True; but there's an end of your art herethere's no borrowing or fpunging in a spunging house. Tom. No-(knocking beard) go, Sir; go and attend to your customers. Capias. Well, good night. And to fhew you I bear. you no ill will, I once more offer to let you out if Ms. Poft Obit will be anfwerable. If not, don't stand fretting there, looking as pale as a ghoft! Pfha! why, there's nothing to remind you of a prifon here, for, what with the genteel company, the elegant rooms, and the polite converfation, fhew me the difference between Lenitive Capias's and a fashionable lodging houfe, that's all. [Exir. Tom. Difh'd! in for life! not for myself I feel, I deserve my fate; but to involve the happiness of others to think that my imprisonment devotes to mifery, perhaps |