SCENE,LordTownly'sHouse.
EnterManlyand LadyGrace.
Man.There's something, Madam, hangs upon your mind, to-day: is it unfit to trust me with it?
LadyGrace.Since you will know——my sister then——unhappy woman!
Man.What of her?
LadyGrace.I fear is on the brink of ruin!
Man.I am sorry for it——what has happened?
LadyGrace.Nothing so very new! but the continual repetition of it, has at last rais'd my brother to an intemperance that I tremble at.
Man.Have they had any words upon it?
LadyGrace.He has not seen her since yesterday.
Man.What, not at home all night!
LadyGrace.About five this morning in she came! but with such looks, and such an equipage of misfortunes at her heels——what can become of her?
Man.Has not my lord seen her, say you?
LadyGrace.No! he chang'd his bed last night——I sat with him alone till twelve, in expectation of her: but when the clock had struck, he started from his chair, and grew incens'd to that degree, that had I not, almost on my knees, dissuaded him, he had ordered the doors that instant to have been locked against her.
Man.How terrible is his situation? when the most justifiable severities he can use against her, are liable to be the mirth of all the dissolute card-tables in town!
LadyGrace.'Tis that, I know, has made him bear so long: but you that feel for him, Mr.Manly, will assist him to support his honour, and, if possible, preserve his quiet! therefore I beg you don't leave the house, 'till one or both of them can be wrought to better temper.
Man.How amiable is this concern, in you!
LadyGrace.For heaven's sake don't mind me, but think of something to preserve us all.
Man.I shall not take the merit of obeying your commands, Madam, to serve my Lord——but pray, Madam, let me into all that has past, since yesternight.
LadyGrace.When my intreaties had prevail'd upon my Lord, not to make a story for the town, by so public a violence, as shutting her at once out of his doors; he order'd the next apartment to my lady's to be made ready for him——while that was doing——I try'd by all the little arts I was mistress of, to amuse him into temper; in short, a silent grief was all I could reduce him to——on this, we took our leaves, and parted to our repose: what his was, I imagine by my own: for I ne'er clos'd my eyes. About five, as I told you, I heard my lady at the door; so I slipt on a gown, and sat almost an hour with her in her own chamber.
Man.What said she, when she did not find my Lord there?
LadyGrace.O! so far from being shock'd or alarm'd at it; that she blest the occasion! and said that in her condition, the chat of a female friend was far preferable to the best husband's company in the world.
Man.Where has she spirits to support so much insensibility?
LadyGrace.Nay! it's incredible! for though she had lost every shilling she had in the world, and stretch'd her credit ev'n to breaking; she rallied her own follies with such vivacity, and painted the penance, she knows she must undergo for them, in such ridiculous lights, that had not my concern for a brother been too strong for her wit, she had a'most disarm'd my anger.
Man.Her mind may have another cast by this time: the most flagrant dispositions have their hours of anguish; which their pride conceals from company; but pray, Madam, how could she avoid coming down to dine?
LadyGrace.O! she took care of that before she went to bed; by ordering her woman, whenever she was ask'd for, to say, she was not well.
Man.You have seen her since she was up, I presume?
LadyGrace.Up! I question whether she be awake yet.
Man.Terrible! What a figure does she make now! That nature should throw away so much beauty upon a creature, to make such a slatternly use of it!
LadyGrace.O fy! there is not a more elegant beauty in town, when she's drest.
Man.In my eye, Madam, she that's early drest, has ten times her elegance.
LadyGrace.But she won't be long now, I believe: for I think I see her chocolate going up——Mrs.Trusty,—a hem!
Mrs.Trustycomes to the door.
Man.[Aside.] Five o'clock in the afternoon, for a lady of quality's breakfast, is an elegant hour indeed! which to shew her more polite way of living too, I presume, she eats in her bed.
LadyGrace.[To Mrs.Trusty.] And when she is up, I would be glad she would let me come to her toilet—That's all, Mrs.Trusty.
Trusty.I will be sure to let her ladyship know, Madam.
[Exit Mrs.Trusty.
Enter a Servant.
Serv.SirFrancis Wronghead, Sir, desires to speak with you.
Man.He comes unseasonably——what shall I do with him!
LadyGrace.O see him by all means, we shall have time enough; in the mean while I'll step in, and havean eye upon my brother. Nay, nay, don't mind me—have business.——
Man.You must be obey'd——
[Retreating while Lady Grace goes out.
DesireSir Francisto walk in——
[Exit servant.
I suppose by this time his wise worship begins to find, that the balance of his journey to London is on the wrong side.
Enter SirFrancis.
SirFrancis, your servant; how came I by the favour of this extraordinary visit?
SirFran.Ah! cousin!
Man.Why that sorrowful face, man?
SirFran.I have no friend alive but you——
Man.I am sorry for that——but what's the matter?
SirFran.I have play'd the fool by this journey, I see now——for my bitter wife——
Man.What of her?
SirFran.Is playing the devil!
Man.Why truly, that's a part that most of your fine ladies begin with, as soon as they get toLondon.
SirFran.If I am a living man, cousin, she has made away with above two hundred and fifty pounds since yesterday morning!
Man.Hah! I see a good housewife will do a great deal of work in a little time.
SirFran.Work do they call it! fine work indeed!
Man.Well, but how do you mean made away with it? What, she has laid it out, may be——but I suppose you have an account of it.
SirFran.Yes, yes, I have had the account indeed; but I mun needs say, it's a very sorry one.
Man.Pray, let's hear.
SirFran.Why, first I let her have an hundred and fifty, to get things handsom about her, to let the world see that I was somebody! and I thought that sum very genteel.
Man.Indeed I think so; and in the country, might have serv'd her a twelvemonth.
SirFran.Why so it might——but here in this fine tawn, forsooth! it could not get through four and twenty hours——for in half that time, it was all squandered away in baubles, and new fashion'd trumpery.
Man.O! for ladies inLondon, SirFrancis, all this might be necessary.
SirFran.Noa, theere's the plague on't! the devil o' one useful thing do I see for it, but two pair of lac'd shoes, and those stond me in three pound three shillings a pair too.
Man.Dear Sir! this is nothing! Why we have city wives here, that while their good man is selling three penny worth of sugar, will give you twenty pound for a short apron.
SirFran.Mercy on us! what a mortal poor devil is a husband!
Man.Well, but I hope you have nothing else to complain of?
SirFran.Ah would I could say so too—but there's another hundred behind yet, that goes more to my heart, than all that went before it.
Man.And how might that be disposed of?
SirFran.Troth I am almost ashamed to tell you.
Man.Out with it.
SirFran.Why she has been at an assembly.
Man.What, since I saw you! I thought you had all supt at home last night?
SirFran.Why, so we did——and all as merry as grigs——I'cod! my heart was so open, that I toss'd another hundred into her apron, to go out early this morning with——but the cloth was no sooner taken away, than in comes my LadyTownlyhere, (——who between you and I——mum! has had the devil to pay yonder——) with another rantipole dame of quality, and out they must have her, they said, to introduce her at my LadyNoble's assembly forsooth——a few words,you may be sure, made the bargain——so, bawnce! and away they drive as if the devil had got into the coach box—so about four or five in the morning——home comes Madam, with her eyes a foot deep in her head——and my poor hundred pound left behind her at the hazard-table.
Man.All lost at dice!
SirFran.Every shilling——among a parcel of pig-tail puppies, and pale fac'd women of quality.
Man.But pray, SirFrancis, how came you, after you found her so ill an housewife of one sum, so soon to trust her with another?
SirFran.Why truly I mun say that was partly my own fault: for if I had not been a blab of my tongue, I believe that last hundred might have been sav'd.
Man.How so?
SirFran.Why, like an owl as I was, out of goodwill, forsooth, partly to keep her in humour, I must needs tell her of the thousand pound a year, I had just got the promise of—I'cod! she lays her claws upon it that moment——said it was all owing to her advice, and truly she would have her share on't.
Man.What, before you had it yourself?
SirFran.Why ay! that's what I told her——My dear, said I, mayhap I mayn't receive the first quarter on't this half year.
Man.SirFrancis, I have heard you with a great deal of patience, and I really feel compassion for you.
SirFran.Truly and well you may cousin, for I don't see that my wife's goodness is a bit the better, for bringing toLondon.
Man.If you remember I gave you a hint of it.
SirFran.Why ay, it's true you did so: but the devil himself could not have believ'd she would have rid post to him.
Man.Sir, if you stay but a fortnight in this townyou will every day see hundreds as fast upon the gallop, as she is.
SirFran.Ah! thisLondonis a base place indeed——waunds, if things should happen to go wrong with me atWestminster, at this rate, how the devil shall I keep out of jail!
Man.Why truly, there seems to me but one way to avoid it.
SirFran.Ah! wou'd you could tell me that, cousin.
Man.The way lies plain before you, Sir; the same road that brought you hither will carry you safe home again.
SirFran.Ods-flesh! cousin, what! and leave a thousand pound a year behind me?
Man.Pooh! pooh! leave any thing behind you, but your family, and you are a saver by it.
SirFran.Ay, but consider, cousin, what a scurvy figure I shall make in the country, if I come dawn withawt it!
Man.You will make a much more lamentable figure in jail without it.
SirFran.Mayhap 'at yow have no great opinion of it then, cousin?
Man.SirFrancis, to do you the service of a real friend, I must speak very plainly to you: you don't yet see half the ruin that's before you.
SirFran.Good-lack! how may yow mean, cousin?
Man.In one word, your whole affairs stand thus——In a week you'll lose your seat atWestminster: In a fortnight my lady will run you into jail, by keeping the best company——In four and twenty hours, your daughter will run away with a sharper, because she han't been us'd to better company: and your son will steal into marriage with a cast-mistress, because he has not been us'd to any company at all.
SirFran.I'th' name of goodness why should you think all this?
Man.Because I have proof of it; in short, I know so much of their secrets, that if all this is not prevented to-night, it will be out of your power to do it to-morrow morning.
SirFran.Mercy upon us! you frighten me——Well, Sir, I will be govern'd by yow: but what am I to do in this case?
Man.I have not time here to give you proper instructions; but about eight this evening, I'll call at your lodgings; and there you shall have full conviction, how much I have it at heart to serve you.
Enter a Servant.
Serv.Sir, my Lord desires to speak with you.
Man.I'll wait upon him.
SirFran.Well then, I'll go straight home, naw.
Man.At eight depend upon me.
SirFran.Ah! dear cousin! I shall be bound to you as long as I live. Mercy deliver us! what a terrible journey have I made on't!
[Exeunt severally.
Trusty.Dear Madam, what should make your Ladyship so out of order!
LadyTown.How is it possible to be well, where one is kill'd for want of sleep?
Trusty.Dear me! it was so long before you rung, Madam, I was in hopes your Ladyship had been finely compos'd.
LadyTown.Compos'd! why I have laid in an inn here! this house is worse than an inn with ten stage-coaches! What between my lord's impertinent people of business in a morning, and the intolerable thick shoes of footmen at noon, one has not a wink all night.
Trusty.Indeed, Madam, it's a great pity my Lord can't be persuaded into the hours of people of quality——Though I must say that, Madam, your Ladyship is certainly the best matrimonial manager in town.
LadyTown.Oh! you are quite mistaken,Trusty! I manage very ill! for notwithstanding all the power I have, by never being over-fond of my lord——yet I want money infinitely oftener than he is willing to give it me.
Trusty.Ah, if his lordship could but be brought to play himself, Madam, then he might feel what it is to want money.
LadyTown.Oh! don't talk of it! do you know that I am undone,Trusty?
Trusty.Mercy forbid, Madam!
LadyTown.Broke! ruin'd! plunder'd!—--stripp'd, even to a confiscation of my last guinea.
Trusty.You don't tell me so, Madam!
LadyTownly.And where to raise ten pound in the world——What is to be doneTrusty?
Trusty.Truly, I wish I was wise enough to tell you, Madam: but may be your ladyship may have a run of better fortune, upon some of the good company that comes here to-night.
LadyTown.But I have not a single guinea to try my fortune!
Trusty.Ha! that's a bad business indeed, Madam—Adad! I have a thought in my head, Madam, if it is not too late——
LadyTown.Out with it quickly then, I beseech thee?
Trusty.Has not the steward something of fifty pound, Madam, that you left in his hands to pay somebody about this time?
LadyTown.O! ay! I had forgot—'twas to—a—what's his filthy name?
Trusty.Now I remember, Madam, 'twas to Mr.Lutestring, your old mercer, that your ladyship turn'd off,about a year ago, because he would trust you no longer.
LadyTown.The very wretch! if he has not paid it, run quickly, dearTrusty, and bid him bring it hither immediately——[ExitTrusty.] Well! sure mortal woman never had such fortune! five! five, and nine, against poor seven for ever!—--No! after that horrid bar of my chance, that LadyWronghead's fatal red fist upon the table, I saw it was impossible, ever to win another stake——Sit up all night! lose all one's money! dream of winning thousands! wake without a shilling! and then how like a hag I look! In short——the pleasures of life are not worth this disorder! If it were not for shame now, I could almost think, LadyGrace's sober scheme not quite so ridiculous——If my wise lord could but hold his tongue for a week, 'tis odds, but I should hate the town in a fortnight——But I will not be driven out of it, that's positive!
[Trustyreturns.
Trusty.O Madam! there is no bearing it! Mr.Lutestringwas just let in at the door, as I came to the stair-foot! and the steward is now actually paying him the money in the hall.
LadyTown.Run to the stair case head, again——and scream to him, that I must speak with him this instant.
[Trustyruns out, and speaks.
Trusty.Mr.Poundage——a hem! Mr.Poundage, a word with you quickly.Without.Pound.[Within.] I'll come to you presently.Trusty.Presently won't do, man, you must come this minute.Pound.I am but just paying a little money, here.Trusty.Cods my life! paying money? is the man distracted? come here I tell you, to my lady, this moment, quick!
[Trustyreturns.
LadyTown.Will the monster come or no?——
Trusty.Yes, I hear him now, Madam, he is hobbling up, as fast as he can.
LadyTown.Don't let him come in—for he will keep such a babbling about his accounts,——my brain is not able to bear him.
[Poundagecomes to the door with a money-bag in his hand.
Trusty.O! it's well you are come, Sir! where's the fifty-pound?
Pound.Why here it is; if you had not been in such haste, I should have paid it by this time——the man's now writing a receipt, below, for it.
Trusty.No matter! my lady says, you must not pay him with that money, there is not enough, it seems; there's a pistole and a guinea that's not good, in it——besides there is a mistake in the account too——[Twitching the bag from him.] But she is not at leisure to examine it now; so you must bid Mr. What-d'ye-call-um call another time.
LadyTown.What is all that noise there?
Pound.Why and it please your Ladyship——
LadyTown.Pr'ythee! don't plague me now, but do as you were order'd.
Pound.Nay, what your Ladyship pleases, Madam——
[ExitPoundage.
Trusty.There they are, Madam——[Pours the money out of the bag.] The pretty things——were so near falling into a nasty tradesman's hands, I protest it made me tremble for them——I fancy your ladyship had as good give me that bad guinea, for luck's sake—thank you, Madam.
[Takes a guinea.
LadyTown.Why, I did not bid you take it.
Trusty.No, but your ladyship look'd as if you were just going to bid me, and so I was willing to save you the trouble of speaking, Madam.
LadyTown.Well! thou hast deserv'd it, and so for once——but hark! don't I hear the man making anoise yonder? though I think now we may compound for a little of his ill humour——
Trusty.I'll listen.
LadyTown.Pr'ythee do.
[Trustygoes to the door.
Trusty.Ay! they are at it, Madam—he's in a bitter passion, with poorPoundage——bless me! I believe he'll beat him——mercy on us; how the wretch swears!
LadyTown.And a sober citizen too! that's a shame!
Trusty.Ha! I think all's silent, of a sudden——may be the porter has knock'd him down—I'll step and see——
[ExitTrusty.
LadyTown.Those trades-people are the troublesomest creatures! no words will satisfy them!
[Trustyreturns.
Trusty.O Madam! undone! undone! my lord has just bolted out upon the man, and is hearing all his pitiful story over——if your ladyship pleases to come hither, you may hear him yourself!
LadyTown.No matter: it will come round presently: I shall have it all from my Lord, without losing a word by the way, I'll warrant you.
Trusty.O lud! Madam! here's my lord just coming in.
LadyTown.Do you get out of the way then. [ExitTrusty.] I am afraid I want spirits! but he will soon give 'em me.
Enter LordTownly.
LordTown.How comes it, Madam, that a tradesman dares be clamorous in my house, for money due to him, from you?
LadyTown.You don't expect, my lord, that I should answer for other peoples impertinence!
LordTown.I expect, Madam, you should answer for your own extravagances, that are the occasion of it——I thought I had given you money three months ago, to satisfy all these sort of people!
LadyTown.Yes, but you see they are never to be satisfied.
LordTown.Nor am I, Madam, longer to be abus'd thus! what's become of the last five hundred I gave you?
LadyTown.Gone.
LordTown.Gone! what way, Madam?
LadyTown.Half the town over, I believe, by this time.
LordTown.'Tis well! I see ruin will make no impression, 'till it falls upon you.
LadyTown.In short, my Lord, if money is always the subject of our conversation, I shall make you no answer.
LordTown.Madam, Madam! I will be heard, and make you answer.
LadyTown.Make me! then I must tell you, my Lord, this is a language I have not been us'd to, and I won't bear it.
LordTown.Come! come, Madam, you shall bear a great deal more before I part with you.
LadyTown.My Lord, if you insult me, you will have as much to bear, on your side, I can assure you.
LordTown.Pooh! your spirit grows ridiculous——you have neither honour, worth, or innocence, to support it!
LadyTown.You'll find, at least, I have resentment! and do you look well to the provocation!
LordTown.After those you have given me, Madam, 'tis almost infamous to talk with you.
LadyTown.I scorn your imputation and your menaces! The narrowness of your heart's your monitor! 'tis there! there, my lord, you are wounded; you have less to complain of than many husbands of an equal rank to you.
LordTown.Death, Madam! do you presume upon your corporal merit! that your person's less tainted, than your mind! is it there! there alone an honest husband can be injur'd? Have you not every othervice that can debase your birth, or stain the heart of woman? Is not your health, your beauty, husband, fortune, family disclaim'd, for nights consumed in riot and extravagance? The wanton does no more; if she conceals her shame, does less: And sure the dissolute avow'd, as sorely wrongs my honour, and my quiet.
LadyTown.I see, my Lord, what sort of wife might please you.
LordTown.Ungrateful woman! could you have seen yourself, you in yourself had seen her——I am amaz'd our legislature has left no precedent of a divorce for this more visible injury, this adultery of the mind, as well as that of the person! when a woman's whole heart is alienated to pleasures I have no share in, what is't to me whether a black ace, or a powder'd coxcomb has possession of it?
LadyTown.If you have not found it yet, my lord, this is not the way to get possession of mine, depend upon it.
LordTown.That, Madam, I have long despair'd of; and since our happiness cannot be mutual, 'tis fit, that with our hearts, our persons too should separate.——This house you sleep no more in! tho' your content might grosly feed upon the dishonour of a husband, yet my desires would starve upon the features of a wife.
LadyTown.Your stile, my lord, is much of the same delicacy with your sentiments of honour.
LordTown.Madam, Madam! this is no time for compliments——I have done with you.
LadyTown.If we had never met, my Lord, I had not broke my heart for it! but have a care I may not, perhaps, be so easily recall'd as you imagine.
LordTown.Recall'd—Who's there!
Enter a Servant.
Desire my sister and Mr.Manlyto walk up.
LadyTown.My Lord, you may proceed as you please,but pray what indiscretions have I committed, that are not daily practis'd by a hundred other women of quality?
LordTown.'Tis not the number of ill wives, Madam, that makes the patience of a husband less contemptible: and though a bad one may be the best man's lot, yet he'll make a better figure in the world, that keeps his misfortunes out of doors, than he that tamely keeps her within.
LadyTown.I don't know what figure you may make, my Lord, but I shall have no reason to be asham'd of mine in whatever company I may meet you.
LordTown.Be sparing of your spirit, Madam, you'll need it to support you.
Enter LadyGraceandManly.
Mr.Manly, I have an act of friendship to beg of you, which wants more apologies, than words can make for it.
Man.Then pray make none, my Lord, that I may have the greater merit in obliging you.
LordTown.Sister, I have the same excuse to intreat of you too.
LadyGrace.To your request, I beg, my Lord.
LordTown.Thus then——as you both were present at my ill considered marriage, I now desire you each will be a witness of my determin'd separation——I know, Sir, your good nature, and my sister's must be shock'd at the office I impose on you! but as I don't ask your justification of my cause; so I hope you are conscious——that an ill woman can't reproach you, if you are silent, upon her side.
Man.My lord, I never thought, 'till now, it could be difficult to oblige you.
LadyGrace.[Aside.] Heaven's! how I tremble!
LordTown.For you, my LadyTownly, I need not here repeat the provocations of my parting with you—the world, I fear, is too well informed of them——For the good lord, your dead father's sake, I will still support you, as his daughter——As the lordTownly's wife, you have had every thing a fond husband could bestow, and (to our mutual shame I speak it) more than happy wives desire——But those indulgences must end! State, equipage and splendor, but ill become the vices that misuse 'em——The decent necessaries of life shall be supply'd——but not one article to luxury! Not even the coach that waits to carry you from hence, shall you ever use again! Your tender aunt, my LadyLovemore, with tears, this morning has consented to receive you; where if time, and your condition brings you to a due reflection, your allowance shall be increased——But if you still are lavish of your little, or pine for past licentious pleasures, that little shall be less! nor will I call that soul my friend, that names you in my hearing!
LadyGrace.My heart bleeds for her.
[Aside.
LordTown.OManly! look there! turn back thy thoughts with me, and witness to my growing love; there was a time when I believ'd that form incapable of vice or of decay! There I proposed the partner of an easy home! There I for ever hoped to find, a chearful companion, an agreeable intimate, a faithful friend, a useful help-mate, and a tender mother——But oh! how bitter now the disappointment!
Man.The world is different in its sense of happiness: offended as you are, I know you still will be just.
LordTown.Fear me not.
Man.This last reproach, I see, has struck her.
[Aside.
LordTown.No, let me not (though I this moment cast her from my heart for ever) let me not urge her punishment beyond her crimes——I know the world is fond of any tale that feeds its appetite of scandal: and as I am conscious, severities of this kind seldom fail of imputations too gross to mention, I here, before you both acquit her of the least suspicion rais'd against the honour of my bed. Therefore when abroad her conduct may be question'd, do her fame that justice.
LadyTown.O sister!
[Turns to LadyGraceweeping.
LordTown.When I am spoken of, where without favour this action may be canvass'd, relate but half my provocations, and give me up to censure.
[Going.
LadyTown.Support me! save me! hide me from the world!
[Falls on LadyGrace's neck.
LordTown.[Returning.]——I had forgot me—You have no share in my resentment; therefore, as you have liv'd in friendship with her, your parting may admit of gentler terms than suit the honour of an injur'd husband.
[Offers to go out.
Man.[Interposing.] My Lord, you must not, shall not leave her thus! one moment's stay can do your cause no wrong! If looks can speak the anguish of the heart, I'll answer with my life, there's something labouring in her mind, that would you bear the hearing, might deserve it.
LordTown.Consider! since we no more can meet; press not my staying to insult her.
LadyTown.Yet stay my Lord——the little I would say, will not deserve an insult; and undeserv'd, I know your nature gives it not. But as you've call'd in friends, to witness your resentment, let them be equal hearers of my last reply.
LordTown.I shan't refuse you that, Madam——be it so.
LadyTown.My Lord, you ever have complain'd I wanted love; but as you kindly have allowed I never gave it to another; so when you hear the story of my heart, though you may still complain, you will not wonder at my coldness.
LadyGrace.This promises a reverse of temper.
[Apart.
Man.This, my Lord, you are concern'd to hear!
LordTown.Proceed, I am attentive.
LadyTown.Before I was your bride, my Lord, the flattering world had talk'd me into beauty; which, at my glass, my youthful vanity confirm'd: wild withthat fame, I thought mankind my slaves, I triumph'd over hearts while all my pleasure was their pain: yet was my own so equally insensible to all, that when a father's firm commands enjoin'd me to make choice of one, I even there declin'd the liberty he gave, and to his own election yielded up my youth——his tender care, my Lord, directed him to you——Our hands were join'd! But still my heart was wedded to its folly! My only joy was power, command, society, profuseness, and to lead in pleasures! The husband's right to rule, I thought a vulgar law, which only the deform'd or meanly spirited obey'd! I knew no directors, but my passions; no matter but my will! even you, my lord, some time o'ercome by love, was pleas'd with my delights; nor, then foresaw this mad misuse of your indulgence——And, though I call myself ungrateful, while I own it, yet as a truth, it cannot be deny'd——That kind indulgence has undone me! it added strength to my habitual failings, and in a heart thus warm, in wild unthinking life, no wonder if the gentler sense of love was lost.
LordTown.OManly! where has this creature's heart been buried?Apart.Man.If yet recoverable——How vast a treasure?
LadyTown.What I have said, my lord, is not my excuse; but my confession! my errors (give 'em if you please, a harder name) cannot be defended! No! What's in its nature wrong, no words can palliate, no plea can alter! What then remains in my condition but resignation to your pleasure? Time only can convince you of my future conduct: Therefore till I have liv'd an object of forgiveness, I dare not hope for pardon——The penance of a lonely contrite life were little to the innocent; but to have deserv'd this separation, will strew perpetual thorns upon my pillow.
LadyGrace.O happy, heavenly hearing!
LadyTown.Sister, farewel! [Kissing her.] Your virtue needs no warning from the shame that falls on me: but when you think I have aton'd my follies past——persuade your injur'd brother to forgive them.
LordTown.No, Madam! Your errors thus renounc'd, this instant are forgotten! So deep, so due a sense of them, has made you, what my utmost wishes form'd, and all my heart has sigh'd for.
LadyTown.[Turning to LadyGrace.] How odious does this goodness make me!
LadyGrace.How amiable your thinking so?
LordTown.Long-parted friends, that pass through easy voyages of life, receive but common gladness in their meeting: but from a shipwreck sav'd, we mingle tears with our embraces!
[Embracing LadyTownly.
LadyTown.What words! what love! what duty can repay such obligations!
LordTown.Preserve but this desire to please, your power is endless.
LadyTown.Oh!—--'till this moment, never did I know, my Lord, I had a heart to give you!
LordTown.By heav'n this yielding hand, when first it gave you to my wishes, presented not a treasure more desirable! OManly! sister! as you have often shar'd in my disquiet, partake of my felicity! my new-born joy! see here the bride of my desires! this may be called my wedding-day!
LadyGrace.Sister! (for now methinks that name is dearer to my heart than ever) let me congratulate the happiness that opens to you.
Man.Long, long and mutual may it flow——
LordTown.To make our happiness compleat, my dear, join here with me to give a hand, that amply will repay the obligation.
LadyTown.Sister! a day like this——
LadyGrace.Admits of no excuse against the general joy.
[Gives her hand toManly.
Man.A joy like mine——despairs of words to speak it.
LordTown.OManly! how the name of friend endears the brother!
[Embracing him.
Man.Your words, my Lord, will warn me to deserve them.
Enter a Servant.
Serv.My Lord, the apartments are full of masqueraders——And some people of quality there desire to see your Lordship and my Lady.
LadyTown.I thought, my Lord, your orders had forbid this revelling?
LordTown.No, my dear,Manlyhas desir'd their admittance to-night, it seems, upon a particular occasion——Say we will wait upon them instantly.
[Exit Servant.
LadyTown.I shall be but ill company to them.
LordTown.No matter: not to see them, would on a sudden to be too particular. LadyGracewill assist you to entertain them.
LadyTown.With her, my Lord, I shall be always easy——Sister, to your unerring virtue, I commit the guidance of my future days.