he must select the partner of my choice. Yes, I will proceed; and, but that youth precludes the possibility, I should suspect the poisoner of my father's mind-

Dano. Nay, after all, perhaps your son does evil, only to do good.

Sir Art. Poor, paltry sophistry! No end can justify the sacrifice of honour;-and crimes thought requisite to aid the cause of virtue, like other crimes, recoil upon themselves.

[Exit at door in back scene. Danv. So, she is mine! And further to defeat my rival's hopes, I will not cease till I secure this Mr. Solace in my interest. And if he would know why I would link myself with one, already so embarrassed as Sir Arthur, it is because his fortune may improve; but mine, by sudden losses at the gamingtable, is grown so desperate

Enter SERVANT, from door in back scene.

Why, where have you been, Sir?

Serv. I have been delivering a letter to Sir Arthur, Sir, which I have just brought express from

Bath.

Dano.

From whom?

Serv. From his son,-from Mr. Algernon, Sir.

Danu. From Algernon!

Exit.

And sent with such dispatch! But his appeals are useless now, and I'm so certain of Selina's hand, that I'm impatient to avow my triumph.

Enter MODERN, from door in back scene.

Mod. So, I'm glad I've found you; for I have just been witness to such common place, and such novelty! And but for the fun of the latter getting the better of the former, I should be as much disap

pointed

pointed as another poor devil; for, do you know,' Selina mustn't any longer be in love with me? Dano. (With exultation). I do, I do, Sir.

Mod But, can I blame her? She, who has marr'd such gothic schemes.-Listen.-Sir Arthur, you see, swore that Selina should be the wife of some curst worldly blockhead, whose name he purposely kept snug from me; but when I find him out.-Oh, George! how we will both laugh when we find him

out.

Dano. No, we won't; for his success can never raise your mirth, and for mine,-certainly, Charles, I sha'n't laugh at myself.

Mod. You!--What, are you?—

Dano. I-I am this worldly blockhead! And I'll tell you a secret-Selina's husband means to be so jealous, that you'd best find some willow tree.(Pulling up neckcloth to imitate hanging.) You understand. Now, why don't you laugh now? (Smacking him on the back.)

But

Mod. I do;-and we shall both laugh more and more; for, bless you! you've only heard the common place! I havn't come to the novelty! now for it! Sir Arthur, you see, stuck to his point, and Selina was almost frightened into compliance, when a servant entered post haste with a letter from Algernon St. Albyn!-Sir Arthur opens it, seems agitated, trembles,-turns pale, and lets it fall -I pick it up, and find that Algernon confesses he has been secretly married to Selina these six months!

Dano. Secretly married!

Mod. Ay, secretly married! and dared not previously avow it, lest it should increase his father's anger. This is their secret, ---and I am so original as to wish them happy ;---and for mine,-Selina's husband means to be so jealous, that you'd best find some willow tree. (Pulling neckcloth, &c.) You understand. Now, why don't you laugh now?

Dany.

Dano. Distraction! to be thus outwitted and supplanted! I shall

go wild.

Mod. So should I;---but being supplanted, is so new to me, that if Selina, unlike other women, don't love Charles Modern, why Charles Modern will more love her for being so uncommonly original.

Dano. Where is Sir Arthur? for we'll instantly proceed to take most ample vengeance on them both.

Mod. What vengeance, Sir?

Danv. First, what insulted honour justly claims. Mod. What! you'll call out Algernon! Very well---if you will be so infernally common place, only mind your seconds don't publish the report, that's all; for affairs of honour, now-a-days, confer so little honour, that pistol-work, in the field, like on the road, can't be done toomuch in the dark. ---And for the other hacknied trick---for carrying off the lady,--that's only done upon the stage, and then is merely introduced, that some such merry fellow as myself may make a butt of the dull rogue who plans it.--So, mind, George! mind you are not my butt!

Danv. You are beneath my notice---and, be assured, Sir Arthur and myself will find a way to pu nish all our foes.

Mod. And be assured, Selina and myself will find a way to prevent it.---So, good by w'ye !---And I say, George, if any more novelty has taken place since I came away, depend on't, you shall hear it. You wished to keep your marriage secret, but I'll let you know all about the secret marriage.---Ha! ha! laugh.---Why don't you laugh?

[Exeunt.

SCENE

SCENE II.-An Apartment in Solace's house-a table and chairs put on near the Wing, with pens, ink, and paper,

Enter CICELY.

Cice. Yes, though the struggle has been most severe, honour at length has triumphed over love, and I've resolved to banish from my mind all memory of one-Heavens! do I live to utter it?-But 'tis decreed! and the proud consciousness of acting right, and proving grateful to my benefactor, shall still excite me to complete my purpose. (Drawing table forwards-seats herself) Now to resign the lover for the friend! (begins writing) "Sir!"-Oh! does he merit such a cold address? "Our late pri"vate meetings must have convinced you of my "firm attachment; but to my dear benefactor I "have promised my hand-you know he deserves

it.-Farewell! and that your name may be con"cealed, I here return your letters." (putting her hand in her pocket) How! where are they?-they're lost!--and if he's once discovered-Oh! let me fly, lest malice should again calumniate him, who seeks that lasting fame, which fraud may covet, but which only honour gains.

Enter SOLACE, immediately.

[Exit.

Sol. There she do still avoid me; and betwixt her, Sir Arthur, and one thing or other, I don't know when I have passed a more cheerful, pleasant day-Very well! I do hope they will keep it up till bed-time. (Seats himself close to the table) Ha! ha! (trying to laugh) it were not always so; for sure as out-door work went wrong, my Cicely would come and smile, and prattle, and-(rousing himself) Why

not

"C my

not now? Dang it! I'd like to be informed-for if caprice have taught her also to dislike me, I'll shew her I'm as proud-(hitting the table with his hand, it falls on the letter) Why, what be here? A letter! and to me! No-it be to-plague !-torment!-it be to some base, seducing-(reads) "Sir, our late "private meetings"-Jade! sorceress !-But it won't last-I shall be soon where trouble cannot reach me. (weeping)" must have convinced you of (reading on) my firm attachment-dear benefactor-promised hand---deserve it---farewell---name concealed "---return letters."---(trembling violently, and dropping the letter)---My head---my heart, do both so beat, and whirl---and yet---(half smiling) somehow ---dang it! I were never so unhappily happy in all my life! ---Hush! she be coming!---she be returning! and since my tongue can badly do its duty, I'll shew her she has taught me how to write.--Yes, if I can but hold my pen, (picking up letter) the letter sha'nt be all her own! (goes hastily to the table, and writes on the letter) There is my share--that, that be consolation.

[Leaves letter where Cicely left it, and stands aside.

Re-enter CICELY.

Cice. So---I have found them ;---but alas! they have revived such tender recollections, that I have scarcely courage to proceed. Here are his letters---there--(pointing to the one on the table) Well, well, I've no alternative(seating herself, taking up the pen, and reading) " and I entreat that--you will pay no attention to any part of this letter; for happiness is my pursuit---" Heavens! my benefactor's hand !---" Happiness is "my pursuit; and as I cannot expect any from di"viding lovers, I do beg you will instantly come "together, and consider, that whilst I have a house, or a guinea, you shall never want a part of them.”

(She