Enter Col. HUBBUB. Col. Won't he? But he will tho'! Tho' I love a lad of spirit, I detest premeditated villainy as much as any man-Your brother Clairville is in prison, my Lord; and I'm told by your means. Hon. Yes, Sir-'tis fo-by his, his brother's means. Lady A. Peace! and let me speak—Colonel, notwithstanding your prejudices against me and Lord Jargon, I know when you hear the conduct of this mean avaricious girl, you'll confess, that his Lordship has a greater claim to her than any other man-You'll allow fine diamonds are rare things! Col. Yes; next to modesty and good fense, the rarest things now-a-days to be met with. Lady A. Then, Sir, with share I mention it, she has receiv'd a necklace from his Lordship, worth a thousand pounds. Col. How ! Is this true, my Lord ? Lady A. She will tell you, that I compellid her to accept the necklace; but even if that were the case, she might have returned it to his Lordthip long ere this time. Col. 'Tis too plain! I see it by her blushesBase, sordid girl! where are the diamonds ? Produce and give them back to his Lordship, or I swear-Go fetch them instantly-What do ny it. you hesitate ? Hon. I have not the necklace by me, Sir-ICol. What have you done with it then ? Hon. To confess the truth, Sir I have fold it! col. 1 Col. and Lady. Sold it! Col. A picture! give a thousand pounds for a picture_Let's see that! Lady 1. See ! she hesitates again! Oh! it's all an imposition, and my Lord has been defrauded out of his diamonds. Hon. Wait but a moment, and I'll shew you how he has been defrauded. Opens glass doors, and leads out CLAIRVILLE. Here is the jewel the necklace has redeemedHere is a treasure worth ten times it's value! and here is the man I shall adore as long as I live[embracing bim.] Col. Clairville ! Clair. Yes ; that Clairville, who must have sunk a victim to your's [t0 Lady) and his Lordship’s artifices, had not this lovely angel stretched out her hand, and saved me from destruction. Col. Well ! this is the prettiest picture I ever saw! Look, my Lord; Look, Lady Acid. Lord Jar. I never was better pleased in my life-ha, ha !-Damnation ! Col. Nay, pray look-you'll not see such a picture again, and what's better, you'll never see your diamonds again-Clairville, I give you joy, and almost wish you Honoria's husband; but I've left all that to my ward--the dear boy has the sole dispofal of her. Lady A. Has he ? then I hope he'll marry her himself-Any thing rather than she fhould be thrown away on a pitiful younger brother. Enter NOMINAL with SOPHIA. Ncm. Here we are !-the two wonders of the age-The elopement's all over the town already“. And And now what do you think is the next piece of mischief we're resolved on ? Col. What? Nom. Ay; so it is-I never thought of itbut two such eccentric creatures are fit for nothing but each other-We've hurried ourselves into it, and what's more, we've hurried Sir Andrew into it-And now, if you'll consent—but dispatchintreat you be quick--for the Lady's on fire and I'm—ugh! Col. Why, Sophia, is this true? Sophia. Even so, Colonel! You were so inconstant, that I was obliged to accept another gay deceiver. Col. Well, well; take her with all my heart; so the glorious breed is preferved, I don't care who it's by-But, you rogue, you must give up singularity now. Nom. Must I! No-I'll be more singular than ever-I'll be so true, so faithful, and so constant a husband, that the whole fashionable world shall laugh at me ! Lady A. [aside to Lord] This is fortunate !Now he's married himself, perhaps he inay give you Honoria.--ask him. Lord Jar. I will [afide.] Nominal, a word. Nom. What, my little antagonist ! Lord Jar. I know you are as much above receiving a bribe, as I am of offering one ; but if you'll make Honoria mine, ill give you all her fortune. L Nom. Nom. If you'd give me your own into the bargain, I wou’dn't dispose of her so dishonourably --No, no ; your brother is my friend, and if I have any interest in Honoria, I hope she may be his for ever---And now, all I recommend to you, and my old acquaintance here [to Ledy Acid] is, to leave the world and take the waxfigure along with you! (Exit Lady. Col. That's right, my boy!---Every thing shall be joined to-night---Hands, hearts and estates ! I'll give Clairville property, and if his Lordship has any more presents, another diamond necklace---Why, he may settle it on the first child. Nom. Won't you follow her, my Lord ? Lord Jar. I follow her! not for a thousand worlds !---Lady Acid ! [Exit, calling Lady Acid. Enter SIR ANDREW. Sophia. Sir Andrew, I hope you've forgiven me every thing. Sir Andrew. Yes, yes ; you, and kindred genius have tormented me so much, that I could not be better revenged, than by marrying you together--- I've lost a wife, and the student has found one, that's all. Col. “ Which has the better bargain.”---Ods life ! old boy, an't you delighted to see us all fo merry. Sir Andrew. Faith ! I think I am---but don't be too hard upon me--.don't be tco merry--left the devil that's within me, should tempt me to make long faces again. Nom. |