that harmony of spirits, it is impossible to put me out of humour.

Lord T. How long, in reason then, do you think that sum ought to last you?

Lady T. Oh, my dear, dear lord! now you have spoiled all again: how is it possible I should answer for an event that so utterly depends upon fortune? But to shew you that I am more inclined to get money than to throw it away-I have a strong prepos

session, that with this five hundred, I shall win five thousand.

Lord T. Madam, if you were to win ten thousand, it would be no satisfaction to me.

-Ten

Lady T. Oh, the churl! ten thousand! what! not 30 much as wish I might win ten thousand!thousand! Oh, the charming sum! what infinite pretty things might a woman of spirit do with ten thousand guineas! O' my conscience, if she were a woman of true spirit-she-she might lose them all again.

Lord T. And I had rather it should be so, madam, provided I could be sure that were the last you would lose.

Lady T. Well, my lord, to let you see I design to play all the good house-wife I can; I am now going to a party at quadrille, only to piddle with a little of it, at poor two guineas a fish, with the Dutchess of Quiteright. [Exit. Lord T. Insensible creature! neither reproaches or indulgence, kindness or severity, can wake her to the

least reflection! Continual licence has lull'd her into such a lethargy of care, that she speaks of her excesses with the same easy confidence, as if they were so many virtues. What a turn has her head taken f

-But how to cure it—I am afraid the physic must be strong that reaches her- -Lenitives, I see, are to no purposetake my friend's opinionManly will speak freely-my sister with tenderness to both sides. They know my case-I'll talk with them.

Enter a Servant.

Serv. Mr. Manly, my lord, has sent to know if your lordship was at home.

Lord T. They did not deny me?

Serv. No, my

lord.

Lord T. Very well; step up to my sister, and say,

I desire to speak with her.

Serv. Lady Grace is here, my lord.

Enter Lady GRACE.

[Exit Serv.

Lord T. So, lady fair; what pretty weapon have you been killing your time with?

Lady G. A huge folio, that has almost killed me— I think I have read half my eyes out.

Lord T. Oh you should not pore so much just 'after dinner, child.

Lady G. That's true; but any body's thoughts are better always than one's own, you know.

Lord T. Who's there?

Enter Servant.

Leave word at the door, I am at home to nobody, but Mr. Manly. [Exit Serv. Lady G. And why is he excepted, pray, my lord? Lord T. I hope, madam, you have no objection to his company?

Lady G. Your particular orders, upon my being here, look, indeed, as if you thought I had not.

Lord T. And your ladyship's inquiry into the reason of those orders, shews, at least, it was not a matter indifferent to you.

Lady G. Lord, you make the oddest constructions, brother!

Lord T. Look you, my grave Lady Grace-in one serious word-I wish you had him.

Lady G. I cann't help that.

Lord T. Ha! you cann't help it; ha, ha! The flat simplicity of that reply was admirable!

Lady G. Pooh, you tease one, brother!

Lord T. Come, I beg pardon, child-this is not a point, I grant you, to trifle upon; therefore, I hope you'll give me leave to be serious.

Lady G. If you desire it, brother; though, upon my word, as to Mr. Manly's having any serious thoughts of me-I know nothing of it.

Lord T. Well- -there's nothing wrong in your making a doubt of it- -But, in short, I find, by his conversation of late, that he has been looking round

the world for a wife; and if you were to look round the world for a husband, he is the first man I would give to you.

Lady G. Then, whenever he makes me any offer, brother, I will certainly tell you of it.

Lord T. Oh! that's the last thing he'll do: he'll never make you an offer, 'till he's pretty sure it won't be refused.

Lady G. Now you make me curious. Pray, did he ever make any offer of that kind to you?

Lord T. Not directly; but that imports nothing: he is a man too well acquainted with the female world to be brought into a high opinion of any one woman, without some well-examined proof of her merit; yet I have reason to believe, that your good sense, your turn of mind, and your way of life, have brought him to so favourable a one of you, that a few days will reduce him to talk plainly to me; which, as yet, (notwithstanding our friendship) I have neither declined nor encouraged him to.

Lady G. I am mighty glad we are so near in our way of thinking; for, to tell you the truth, he is much upon the same terms with me: you know he has a satirical turn; but never lashes any folly, without giving due encomiums to its opposite virtue: and upon such occasions, he is sometimes particular, in turning his compliments upon me, which I don't receive with any reserve, lest he should imagine I take them to myself.

Lord T. You are right, child: when a man of merit makes his addresses, good sense may give him an answer, without scorn or coquetry. Lady G. Hush! he's here

Enter Mr. MANLY.

Man. My lord, your most obedient.

Lord T. Dear Manly, yours-I was thinking to send to you.

Man. Then, I am glad I am here, my lord-Lady Grace, I kiss your hands-What, only you two! How many visits may a man make, before he falls into such unfashionable company ? A brother and sister soberly sitting at home, when the whole town is a gadding! I question if there is so particular a tête à tête again, in the whole parish of St. James's.

Lady G. Fie, fie, Mr. Manly how censorious you are !

Man. I had not made the reflection, madam; but that I saw you an exception to it-Where's my lady?

Lord T. That, I believe, is impossible to guess.
Man. Then I won't try, my lord-

Lord T. But, 'tis probable, I may hear of her, by that time I have been four or five hours in bed.

Man. Now, if that were my case- -I believe IBut, I beg pardon, my lord.

Lord T. Indeed, sir, you shall not: you will oblige me if you speak out; for it was upon this head I wanted to see you.