tolerable assurance of a man's not designing to fool on with her- -Here she comes, and, if I don't mistake, brimful of reproaches-You can't take her in a better time-I'll leave you.

Enter Lady GRAVEAIRS.

Your ladyship's most humble servant. pany broke up, pray?

Is the com

L. Gra. No, my lord, they are just talking of basset; my Lord Foppington has a mind to tally, if your lordship would encourage the table.

L. Mor. Oh, madam, with all my heart! But Sir Charles, I know, is hard to be got to it: I'll leave your ladyship to prevail with him. [Exit L. Morelove. [Sir Charles and Lady Graveairs salute coldly, and

trifle some time before they speak.

L. Gra. Sir Charles, I sent you a note this morning

Sir Cha. Yes, madam; but there were some pasTM sages I did not expect from your ladyship; you seem to tax me with things that

L. Gra. Look you, sir, 'tis not at all material whether I taxed you with any thing or no; I don't desire you to clear yourself; upon my word, you may be very easy as to that matter; for my part, I am mighty well satisfied things are as they are; all I have to say to you is, that you need not give yourself the trouble to call at my lodgings this afternoon, if you should have time, as you were pleased to send me word—and so, your servant, sir, that's all

[Going.

Sir Cha. Hold, madam.

L. Gra. Look you, Sir Charles, 'tis not your calling me back that will signify any thing, I can assure you. Sir Cha. Why this extraordinary haste, madam ? L. Gra. In short, Sir Charles, I have taken a great many things from you of late, that you know I have often told you I would positively bear no longer. But I see things are in vain, and the more people strive to oblige people, the less they are thanked for it and since there must be an end of one's ridicu lousness one time or other, I don't see any time so proper as the present; and therefore, sir, I desire you would think of things accordingly. Your ser[Going, he holds her.

vant.

Sir Cha. Nay, madam, let us start fair, however; you ought, at least, to stay till I am as ready as your ladyship; and then, if we must part,

Adieu, ye silent grots, and shady groves;

Ye soft amusements of our growing loves;
Adieu, ye whisper'd sighs, that fann'd the fire,
And all the thrilling joys of young desire.

[Affectedly.

L. Gra. Oh, mighty well, sir; I am very glad we are at last come to a right understanding, the only way I have long wished for; not but I'd have you to know I see your design thro' all your painted ease of resignation: I know you'd give your soul to make me uneasy now.

Sir Cha. Oh, fie, madam! upon my word I would not make you uneasy, if it were in my power.

F

you

L. Gra. Oh, dear sir, you need not take such care, upon my word; you'll find I can part with without the least disorder; I'll try, at least; and so, once more, and for ever, sir, your servant: not but you must give me leave to tell you, as my last thought of you too, that I do think-you are a villain.

[Exit hastily.

Sir Cha. Oh, your very humble servant, madam!—

[Bowing low. What a charming quality is a woman's pride, that is strong enough to refuse a man her favours, when he's Ah! weary of them

Re-enter Lady GRAVEAIRS.

L. Gra. Look you, Sir Charles; don't presume upon the easiness of my temper: for to convince you that I am positively in earnest in this matter, I desire you would let me have what letters you have had of mine since you came to Windsor; and I expect you'll return the rest, as I will yours, as soon as we come to London.

Sir Cha. Upon my faith, madam, I never keep any ; I always put snuff in them, and so they wear out. L. Gra. Sir Charles, I must have them; for positively I won't stir without them.

Sir Cha. Ha! then I must be civil, I see. [Aside.] Perhaps, madam, I have no mind to part with them

or you.

L. Gra. Look you, sir, all those sort of things are in vain, now there's an end of every thing between us

-If you say you won't give them, I must e'en get them as well as I can.

Sir Cha. Ha! that won't do then, I find.

[Aside. L. Gra. Who's there? Mrs. Edging-Your keeping a letter, sir, won't keep me, I'll assure you.

Enter EDGING.

Edg. Did your ladyship call me, madam ?

L. Gra. Ay, child: pray do me the favour to fetch my cloak out of the dining-room.

Edg. Yes, madam.

Sir Cha. Oh, then there's hope again.

[Aside. Edg. Ha! she looks as if my master had quarrelled with her; I hope she's going away in a huff—she shan't stay for her cloak, I warrant her-This is pure. [Aside. Exit smiling.

L. Gra. Pray, Sir Charles, before I go, give me leave, now after all, to ask you-why you have used me thus ?

Sir Cha. What is it you call usage, madam ?

L. Gra. Why, then, since you will have it, how comes it you have been so grossly careless and neglectful of me of late? Only tell me seriously, wherein I have deserved this.

Sir Cha. Why, then, seriously, madam

Re-enter EDGING with a cloak.

We are interrupted

Edg. Here is your ladyship's cloak, madam.

Fij

L. Gra. Thank you, Mrs. Edging-Oh, law! pray will you let somebody get me a chair to the door. Edg. Humph-She might have told me that before, if she had been in such haste to go. [Aside. Exit.

66

L. Gra. Now, sir.

Sir Cha. Then, seriously, I say I am of late grown so very lazy in my pleasures, "that I had rather lose a woman, than go through the plague and trouble "of having or keeping her: and, to be free, I have "found so much, even in my acquaintance with you, "whom I confess to be a mistress in the art of pleas. ing," ," that I am from henceforth resolved to follow no pleasure that arises above the degree of amusement -And that woman that expects I should make her my business; why-like my business, is then in a fair way of being forgot. When once she comes to reproach me with vows and usage, and stuff-I had as lief hear her talk of bills, bonds, and ejectments: her passion becomes as troublesome as a law-suit, and I would as soon converse with my solicitor. In short, I shall never care sixpence for any woman that won't be obedient.

L. Gra. I'll swear, sir, you have a very free way of treating people; I am glad I am so well acquainted with your principles, however-And you would

have me obedient?

Sir Cha. Why not? My wife's so; and I think she has as much pretence to be proud as your ladyship. L. Gra. Lard! is there no chair to be had, I wonder?