Enter COL. HUBBUB. Col. Won't he? But he will tho'! Tho' I love a lad of spirit, I deteft premeditated villainy as much as any man-Your brother Clairville is in prifon, 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 fpeak-Colonel, notwithstanding your prejudices against me and Lord Jargon, I know when you hear the conduct of this mean avaricious girl, you'll confefs, 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 modefty and good fenfe, the rarest things now-a-days to be met with. Lady A. Then, Sir, with fhame I mention it, fhe has receiv'd a necklace from his Lordship, worth a thousand pounds. Col. How! Is this true, my Lord? Lord Jar. I can't answer you-but I won't deny it. Lady A. She will tell you, that I compell'd her to accept the necklace; but even if that were the cafe, the might have returned it to his Lordfhip long ere this time. Col. 'Tis too plain! I fee it by her blushes— Bafe, fordid girl! where are the diamonds? Produce and give them back to his Lordship, or I fwear-Go fetch them inftantly-What! do you hesitate? Hon. I have not the necklace by me, Sir-ICol. What have you done with it then? Hon. To confefs the truth, Sir-I have fold it! Col. Col. and Lady. Sold it! Hon. Yes, Sir; to redeem a picture-toCol. A picture! give a thousand pounds for a picture-Let's fee that! Lady A. See! fhe hesitates again! Oh it's all an impofition, and my Lord has been defrauded out of his diamonds. Hon. Wait but a moment, and I'll fhew 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 him.] Col. Clairville! Clair. Yes; that Clairville, who must have funk a victim to your's [to Lady] and his Lordfhip's artifices, had not this lovely angel ftretched out her hand, and faved me from deftruction. Col. Well! this is the prettiest picture I ever faw! Look, my Lord; Look, Lady Acid. Lord far. 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 fee 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 fole difpofal of her. Lady A. Has he? then I hope he'll marry her himfelf-Any thing rather than fhe fhould be thrown away on a pitiful younger brother. Enter NOMINAL with SOPHIA. Nom. Here we are!-the two wonders of the age-The elopement's all over the town already And now what do you think is the next piece of mifchief we're refolved on? Col. What? Nom. Ay; fo it is I never thought of itbut two fuch 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 confent-but difpatchintreat you be quick-for the Lady's on fire and I'm-ugh! Col. Why, Sophia, is this true? Sophia. Even fo, Colonel! You were fo inconftant, that I was obliged to accept another gay deceiver. Col. Well, well; take her with all my heart; fo the glorious breed is preferved, I don't care who it's by-But, you rogue, you must give up fingularity now. Nom. Muft I! No-I'll be more fingular than ever-I'll be fo true, fo faithful, and fo conftant a husband, that the whole fafhionable world shall laugh at me! Lady A. [afide to Lord] This is fortunate !— Now he's married himself, perhaps he may give you Honoria---afk him. Lord far. I will [afide.] Nominal, a word. Lord far. 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. Nom. If you'd give me your own into the bargain, I wou'dn't difpofe of her fo difhonourably --No, no; your brother is my friend, and if I have any intereft in Honoria, I hope the may be his for ever---And now, all I recommend to you, and my old acquaintance here [to Lady Acid] is, to leave the world and take the waxfigure along with you! [Exit Lady. Col. That's right, my boy !---Every thing fhall be joined to-night---Hands, hearts and eftates! I'll give Clairville property, and if his Lordship has any more prefents, another diamond necklace---Why, he may settle it on the firft child. Nom. Won't you follow her, my Lord? Lord far. 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 your kindred genius have tormented me fo much, that I could not be better revenged, than by marrying you together---I've loft a wife, and the ftudent has found one, that's all. Col. Which has the better bargain."---Ods life! old boy, an't you delighted to fee us all fo merry. Sir Andrew. Faith! I think I am---but don't. be too hard upon me---don't be too merry--left the devil that's within me, fhould tempt me to make long faces again. Nom. |