burft its bonds, as mine would now, how will you curse the selfishnefs of him who joined to fcreen you from the world's reproaches, but left you tortured by your own.

Sir Edw. Farewell! I have not leifure for this bufy, dull advice. You'll wait for me at homeand, mind, tho' I've the power to overwhelm you, it is my wish to ferve, and to befriend you.

[Exit. Delin. Still, ftill must I fmother in my proud breast all feeling of a man.-Muft I, who once was equal to this worldly youth, in power, and wealth, and fame, ftill muft I fubmit to be menaced and commanded? better the penalty of my delinquency were death at once, than to endure this daily refpite from perdition (going); yet, no; death robs me of the hope of finding that, for which alone I ventured to revifit England; and, could I clafp the long loft treasure to my heart!Oh! that tender thought recalls me to my former felf; and, when I think of what I was-Distraction! when, when will merciful forgetfulness yield that repofe which cruel men, and too fevere a deftiny, deny me.

SCENE II.-A Room at Mrs. AUBREY'S.

Enter MRS. AUBREY.

Mrs. Aub. 'Tis very ftrange! Olivia not returned! Oh! fhe little thinks each minute feems an age! And, much I with her generous benefactor would arrive, for I fufpect I am her only friend, and friendship, fuch as mine, alas! is but of poor avail.

Enter

Enter OLIVIA.`

Olivia. Oh, my dear madam! what do you think? I'm afraid you'll be fo angry; for I've loft fomething, indeed I have-fomething you've had poffeffion of ever fince I firft faw you.

Mrs. Aub. Speak! what is it, Olivia?

Olivia. My heart nothing less than my heart. I took it out with me, but fomehow I dropt it on the fea-fhore, and who fhould pick it up but fuch a fweet, rude, delightful-Do you know when I afk'd him for it again, he downright refufed me, and fo I told him to give me another and he did, very civilly; he gave me his own; and they beat in fuch unifon, that I don't think either of us will be forry for the change as long as we exist.

Mrs. Aub. Heavens! who is it? Not Sir Edward Specious?

Olivia. Oh! no; the confident creature only arrived just time enough to fee me infulted by two intoxicated coxcombs; fo flying to my affiftance, and forcing them to acknowledge they had both got drunk and forgot themselves: "Get drunk again," fays he, " for you can't do better than forget what's fo little worth remembering." -Lord! ma'am, tho' you don't like Sir Edward, I do verily believe we fhall quite quarrel, and pull caps about this gentleman.

Mrs. Aub. Olivia, yours is the age of danger; and, judging by your own of other's merits, man has with you no art, the world no vice; but, after feven long years of tendernefs and care; now, when I hoped to reap the harveft of my toils,' think, fhould I fee it blighted and defpoiled by infects, venomous as vile?—

Olivia. I thought, as 'twas holiday time, and

all

all my young friends were gone to their respective homes, that I might amufe myself in my turn; and I'm fure, lofing one's heart is very pretty amufement; but, if you think otherwife, I had rather it had broken into a thousand atoms, than that the best of monitors and friends, fhould, for one inftant, think Olivia thoughtless, and ungrateful.

Mrs. Aubr. Oh! but for you-(embracing her, and weeping) you fee my weakness-fhould you forfake me?

Olivia. Forfake you! You, who have fo watched, and

Mrs. Aubr. Have I?

Olivia. And fure I needed it; for all but me, alas! have homes, have parents.

Mrs. Aubr. Hold, I implore you! 'Tis the fubject upon which he who adopted you has com manded a fix'd and eternal filence.

Enter SIR EDWARD SPECIOUS.

Sir Edw. Ladies, your moft obedient.-I have the honour to inform you that Major Tornado is arrived from India.

Mrs. Aubr. Arriv'd! Where? Oh! let us fly to meet him.

Sir Edw. Nay; I'm forry to add, that Mifs Oliva has offended his fifter, and, at her request, fhe is inftantly to be removed

Mrs. Aubr. Removed! Oh! flanderous, fordid woman! 'Tis to monopolize her brother's wealth fhe thus defames the rival that she dreads. I'll confront her with the beft of proofs.-(taking Olivia's hand) That look of artlefsnefs and truth, oppofed to her's of treachery and guile, fhall flath conviction on his mind, and innocence fhall triumph. Come!

Sir Edw. You are wrong-leave it to me-I

have fettled with the Major, and she will be sent this very night, to a friend's houfe of mine.

Mrs. Aub. Sir, you are very kind; but let 'em banish her to diftant climes, I'm alfo banish'd; for, but with life I'll leave her.

Sir Edw. Stop-one word-[taking her afide] Are you aware that, of my large eftate, this houfe forms part? And, as my Steward tells me, there are arrears of rent.

Mrs. Aub. Ha! do you menace?

Sir Edw. Not at all: Between ourselves, I would accommodate Befriend my fuit-be a complying, civil Governess, and

Mrs. Aub. Begone! at present, I am mistrefs of this houfe, and, not me alone, you mistake your country, if you think there lives one Guardian of an English feminary, that would unite with libertines, like you, to blaft the hopes of parent and of child-Begone! or I'll proclaim you, Sir.

Sir Edw. And who'll believe you; he, who, for years, has courted popularity, by public acts of fpirit and humanity, can laugh at private malice, and therefore, be prepared for a moft powerful and deadly foe. [Going. Olivia. Detain him! make friends with him!

I tremble at his threats!-Sir!

Mrs. Aub. There is the door, fir.

Sir Edw. Madam, I comprehend you. ( Olivia) And if the Major fail to influence this bufy friend, ftill I'll not defpair; for the afpiring mind yields not to common obftacles; but in a conteft, glorious as the prefent, is most determin'd where 'tis moft oppos'd. Farewell! and trust to thofe who are your real friends.

[Exit. looking at Mrs. Aubrey. Olivia. Dear Madam, why were you fo rafh?my heart forebodes———

Mrs. Aub. Fear not, but away-Tho' weakest

arm'd,

arm'd, we have the ftrongest caufe; and the proud courage of the virtuous few can vanquish hosts of braggards fuch as these. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.-Outfide of Hotel-(Sea Shore)
a Yacht.

Enter LANDLORD, and WAITER from the HOTEL.

Land. Come, buftle, buftle! for see what crowds of carriages are pouring down the hillLook! isn't it a noble fight? chaifes, fociables, phatons, curricles, gigs, whiskies, tandems, tax'd carts, and dog-carts-and all-all flocking from the races at the next town, to make sport for Paul Pigeon, and the Pelican.

Waiter. Ay; but have they cash to pay for it? for, of many that went from this town, with full pockets, I'm fure moft will come home with empty

ones.

Land. And fee! here's one already.—Here's honeft Tom Tackle-I warrant they've ftript him of the last feather, and

Enter TOM TACKLE.

Well, Tom, racing is a bad bufinefs, isn't it? (Tom croffes) Why, what's the matter? Are you going to buy a rope to hang yourself?

Tom. No; I'm going to buy one of those fmart koind of dog-carts yonder, because, now I've got the poney, why, like other pups of fashion, I'll turn coachy, you fee.

Land. Got the poney? How!

Tom.