is fo well receiv'd, that he is constantly afk'd to call again-who is laugh'd at by people in lock-up houses, married ladies-and M. P.'s-and who can clear public places of box-lobby loungers, and opera fcene hunters, fooner than all the conftables and Bow Street officers put together." [Exit.

Jack. He's mad-quite mad-and this infernal doctor will indeed lay hold of me.-(Enter Tourly) -Well, my friend--what luck with you?-have you beheld-implor'd

Tourly. I have-and I am your friend-your real modern friend !-for most likely I fhall rua away with your wife, Jack.

Jack. What! Sophia has forgiven me!

Tourly. She has but the won't name the happy day for when the found that marriage robb'd you of your only income, fhe vow'd fhe'd workShe'd toil for independence-ere ruin him, who thus had prov'd his penitence and love.

Jack. And I muft emulate her bright example for I'm deferted by Sir Andrew-our foe the doctor has undone us.

Tourly. What!-fhewn him our unpaid note! Jack. Yes: and fhall Sophia link herself to poverty, imprisonment, difgrace.

Tourly. No-for I'll pay the Doctor!

Jack. You!-how?

Tourly. I don't know-but go to Sophia-still fhe thall be yours-and after ali, Jack, is there now any party of pleafure like hufband, wife, and children?

Jack. None-he who once gains a virtuous. woman's heart, and forfeits it from treachery or neglect; parts with a treasure to beyond all eftimation, that after, let him boaft of wealth uns parallel'd, fill he remains a bankrupt and a slave. Farewell; your own kind feelings fhall reward

you.

[Exit, Tourly.

Tourly. I wish they may-but lately they've been fad travelling companions.-Oh! for fome ftray bank notes! but 'tis in vain-night coming on-a stranger, and diftrefs'd!-no-I'll to bed-and I wonder fuch poor devils as I am ever get out of is -for, in bed, a man wants nothing but fleep-he don't want expenfive houses, horfes, and carriages

-or if he does, he has them at the cheapest ratefor he gets them in his dreams!-no-I have already flept half my life-and now I'll go fnore away the remainder-and yet, if I cou'd contrive

Enter Frank (baftily, and muffled up).

Frank. Ha! is not that a ftranger?-Yes-(regarding Tourly attentively)-I don't recollect that Sir-pray Sir-no offence I hope-have you ever been in this place before? (trying all the time to conceal bis face.)

Tourly. No-why do you ask?

Frank. Why!-nothing-yet as fomebody muft be fix'd on-tell me, do you want money?

Tourly. Infernally!

Frank. Should you like a hundred pounds?

Tourly. Amazingly!

Frank. And are you us'd to out of the way adventures ?

Tourly. Aftonishingly!

Frank. And can you keep a fecret?

Tourly. Wonderfully!

Frank. Then follow me.

Tourly. Where?

Frank. That you must never know-and therefore-ftrange as it may feem to you-you must confent to be blindfolded.

Tourly. Blindfolded !-you imp of Belzebub!I fubmit to-hark'ye, Sir-if any thing in my

Countenance

countenance proclaims me fit affociate for an act of villainy-'tis a curft lying countenance; for I detest darkness, and all that practise in it.

Frank. Well-as you pleafe-good night.

Tourly. Good night-yet ftop-stop-if mischief be going forward, I may prevent it—and if a frolic, why not enjoy it?-I have had no pleasant adventures yet, and that can't be a very bad one, that begins with touching a hundred pounds! (afide.) So come-turn me into a full grown Cupid, directly.

Frank. One thing more-if you remove the ban. dage from your eyes-or ask a single question-the contract's void.

Tourly. Agreed:-and now, blind goddess, guide the blind! [Exeunt.

SCENE-The Street;-in the Back the Houses of Dr. Pliable and Mifs Gurnet.

Enter from her Houfe Mifs Gurnet and Sophia Woodbine.

Mifs G. Begone!-nor, after what has paft, dare to dilgrace my virtuous dwelling.

Sophia. Then, Madam-make me worthy to approach it you have the power-exert your influence with Sir Andrew-and be as you have oft profels'd-a friend-a mother to me!

Mifs G. I'm out of all patience-ask me to encourage vice!-to intercede with Sir Andrew for a diffolute young Oxonian!

Sophia. He has repented-he would be my huf

band.

OR, HEAR IT OUT.

47

Mifs G. I know-and you want my hufband to pay for it, but mark me, Mifs, Sir Andrew is now in my house, arranging matters for our wedding, and depend on't, I'll fee his fortune properly difpos'd of-fo return to your profligate companions-return to thofe for whom you are fit fociety

Sophia. Fit fociety!

Mifs G. Ay-return to Mr. Villars'

Sophia. Madam, were I the guilty wretch that you defcribe, theirs were the laft afylum I would feek-for I would die ere bring difgrace on those who have fo won my gratitude and love.

Mifs G. What! you are not guilty, then?

Sophia. No-if I were, their foftering kindness might preferve-reclaim me! but the ftern parent that forfakes a being who already is deferted, unites with the feducer in his guilt-for both abandon her alike-and both alike fhould anfwer for her fufferings and her crimes!

Mifs G. Very likely but the lovefick baronet cannot endure my abfence-fo, good night, Mifs.

Enter David, a Servant, from Mifs Gurnet's Houfe. David. Madam-Sir Andrew

Mifs G. You hear-and no wonder at it-for to those who never contradict me, mine is the sweetest David! be prepar'd for the alderman's return'd prefent of the marmoset, or dread the consequence (afide).

Servant. I'll take care, Ma'am, Sir Andrew shall fee nothing of little Peter.

Mifs G. Shew the way then-and for the future, Mifs, always enquire for me at Analyfe Hall-except during the three London winter months of May, June, and July-thof 1 fhall pass in Grosvenor-square-where I shall breakfast at dinner time,'

dine at fupper time-fee much good company and none of my former friends or acquaintances, depend on't. [Exit into boufe with Servant. Sophia. Unfeeling woman!-but I'll this inftant to my brother-and if his fimple language can't prevail-and the perfifts to turn this marriage to our ruin, may every hour-but no-ere long, her confcience will inflict fuch ftings, that we should; pity, not upbraid her!

[Exit.

Enter Frank, leading on Tourly, who is blindfolded.

Tourly (entering). Stay-tell me, am I above, or under ground?

Frank. Here is your fpot, and remember-if you remove the bandage, and watch what I am doing

Tourly (trying to remove bandage). One peep I must have one peep, if I pay for it.

Frank (preventing him). Do-forfeit you honour and a hundred pounds!

Tourly. True and facrifice my fellow traveller and Sophia!-no-fooner than that, I'd be led thus to the front of a regiment-but curiofity!think of curiofity!-Oh woman! woman! how I do pity you!

Frank. Don't be impatient-and mind-I'm not out of fight-I can see you.

[Exit into Dr. Pliable's house. Tourly. Can you? it must be through deal boards. then! for curfe me, but I heard the fhutting of a door. Tho' my honour and my eyes are bound, my hands are free; and even if he is watching, it is no breach of our bargain if I can flily find, and mark the door, fo I may find out the vile authors of this mystery! Bravo!-'tis here! (coming against Mfs Gurnet's door,)-and now-whoever you may be-whether you're a married man-a widow-or