Giles. Well, well, I'll do my best; but I fay, when do fifter Soph come back from Lady Davenant's in Oxfordshire; I fuppofe Alderman got her invited, and I take it very pretty o'uncle that is to be: (going up stage and looking in at door)— there it be there be the old firefide, and nation glad I am to clap eyes on't; and now, when I fo well knaw the bleffings o'home myself, how can you with me to turn other people out on't-'tis the Englishman's caftle, and whoever do invade it, is no better than a housebreaker, and as I be not in that line at prefent, so I hope I never fhall be, Here, Joey! Davy! "When Johnny Bull fets out for France, &c." [Exit finging into boufe.

Doctor. There's, an undutiful rafcal! owns to your face he has a comfortable home, and yet

Mifs G. He has; no woman living boafts a happier firefide-and why, Doctor? because I never fuffer myself to be contradicted, nor ever will-and therefore I fhall take this act upon myself; go you, and bid Villars quit the farm to-morrow, or hint to him, that my coufin the barrister in London

Doctor. That I will cheerfully; divide Sir Andrew and his niece Mrs. Villars, and we divide his favours and his fortune-heh! who comes here? as I live, Lady Davenant's fervant.

Enter James.

Mifs G. Why, James, what brings you from Oxfordshire?

James. I came exprefs with most unwelcome news, Madam; your niece, Mifs Sophia, who has been on a vifit with us this last month, elop❜d four days ago.

Mifs G. Elop'd! with whom?

James. That we can't discover, Madam; we only know he has not fince been heard of.

Mifs G.

Mifs G. Here again! and after fuch advice and fuch an example! would I ever-Oh! I fhould like much to fee any body elope with mebut tell Lady Davenant, her brother Giles fhall go inftantly in fearch of her. (James crosses.) Why, where now, James?

James. To Mr. Villars, Madam; I have brought this letter for him from her Ladyfhip, and as I know fhe'll be impatient for his answer, I'm sure you'll excufe me. [Exit. Doctor. Impatient for his anfwer! fo-exactly as I fufpected; during her late vifit at your house, fhe now and then met Villars accidentally in the foreft, accidentally of courfe-Oh! he is a fad profligate, and I fhouldn't be at all furpriz'd, if he were the villain who had decoyed away Sophia.

Mifs G. No more fhould I-fo follow my inftructions; and d'ye, hear, don't be afraid of confequences.

Doctor. I!-that's very likely: when I've made up my mind to afk pardon whenever it is afk’d for-no, he who will fight, may be sometimes frighten'd; but he who won't fight!-what the devil need he be afraid of? [Exeunt.

SCENE II. An Apartment at Villars's.

Enter Villars with Fishing-rod, &c.

Villars. 'Sdeath! tis in vain (laying rod, &c. on table); that, which was once my pleature and my pride, now wearies and torments me- the field-i fports-retirement-ftudy, little fuit the mind that's tortur'd with a rankling fecret grief!-all, all has loft its charms-all, did I say? (looking out) false, selfish niggard that I am, when here's an evidence!

evidence!-Oh! bleft with a gift like this, I'm rich in happiness beyond e'en hope!

Maria!

Enter Mrs. Villars.

Mrs. V. Villars !-I'm glad you are come; have you feen faithful Sufan in your walks?

Villars. I have-as I ftood angling on the bridge, the croffed it with our little Henry in her arms; and I know not why-fo more than ever he refembl'd you, and clung fo clofely round my neck, that I shed tears at leaving him.

Mrs. V. Why leave him then? would Ipardon me, but 'tis a mother's fears..

Villars. Nay, nay, 'tis ever thus; but he will foon return, and chide you for this tender weakness. Mrs V. He will, he will; and at a time like this, when I fhould foothe, not add to your dif trefs.

Villars (with agitation). Diftrefs! what mean you?

Mrs. V. You know too well-the fire raged long and fiercely, and when I think that all the annual produce of our farm was in one night by flames confum'd-

Villars. Well, if it were-ftill we are affluentftili have ample means!

Mrs. V. Oh yes; would all around us were as profperous-but yet the dread

Villars. Ay, as you fay, the dread !-trust me, Maria, the truly honeft elevated mind, knows no felf-torment greater than to live on others industry and earnings! and for myfelf I would as foon turn robber on the road, and forcibly deprive my neighbour of his gold, as trick him by a fpecious false pretext, and add hypocrify to theft.

Enter

Enter Doctor Pliable.

Doctor. Mr. Villars, your moft obedient; though a ftranger, I fancy the name of Pliable, commonly called Dr. Pliable

Mrs. V. What! my uncle's friend!

Doctor. The fame, Madam-the very man to whom Sir Andrew confign'd his adopted child, and who hasn't had the pleasure of feeing you fince you were about twice his age-fince you were fent to London for improvement-(farcaftically)-but to the point; am extremely forry that my first vifit to this houfe fhould be for no other purpose than

Villars. Than what, Sir?

Doctor. Simply to beg you'll instantly go out of it (Villars farts); the landlord to be fure has fcruples, but when Mifs Gurnet fays "aye" poor Mr. Giles dar'n'c fay "no", and therefore the fooner you quit, and pay up arrears

Villars. 'Sdeath, Sir! do you doubt-Sure the can't have heard--(afide).

Doctor. Oh no! I know very well you are com*petent, because that lady's father was forc'd to pay you her fortune of eight thoufand pounds-buc then you meant to double it by agricultural speculations, and they have not fucceeded

Villars. They have fucceeded-far as my humble means allow'd; I've kept the poor and aged in employ-have fent them happy to their evening homes, and by promoting cultivation, have check'd extortioners, and fpread plenty wide: go-look into the cottages around, and every fmile will tell you my fuccefs.

Doctor. Very likely-but if I had married a rich baronet's daughter against his confent, and been as you were, only the fon of a poor naval lieu

tenant

Villars.

16

THE BLIND BARGAIN:

Villars. How! reflect upon my father! on him who fought-who conquered-and who died! hear me, Sir, dare

Mrs. V. Hold, Villars! I implore you

Doctor. Don't interfere, Ma'am-I'm perfectly prepar'd, for I'm ready to make any fort of apology.

Villars. No doubt-you are one of those who think that an excufe will palliate every outrage, and therefore coward-like ne'er fcruple to commit them go, Sir, and let me hear your tale from those who have employ'd you-till then, I'll not believe it: go..

Doctor. Go! that I will-and I wifh Giles well through it; for I never faw any man fo difficult to be fatisfied-but I forgot-Lady Davenant's fer vant is at the door.

Villars, Lady Davenant's l

Door. (looking fignificantly) Yes: he has brought a letter for you exprefs from Oxfordshire. Villars. And they've delay'd !—where is he?— let me see him—within there!-William! (rubes out.)

Doctor. You fee-'tis all as plain as one of my prefcriptions.

Mrs. V. What's plain, Sir?

Doctor. Why, that he and Lady Davenanthark'ye take my advice-follow him and read every line (Mrs. V. fhews anger and astonishment) ; why, what do you ftare at?-don't you know

Mrs. Villars. I know both Villars, and my uncle's friend-he merits all my confidence and love, whilft you excite my pity and my fcorn there lies your way, Sir-and remember thismuch as I fhun each bafe fufpicious thought, I more avoid the busy wretch who would inspire it (the Doctor fupplicates).

Doctor. Any apology

Mrs.