in vain, she would not hear a word upon that subject; then, I writ a letter to her; I don't know what effects that will have, but I'll be sure to tell you, when I do; though, by this light, I believe her virtue is impregnable.

Sir Paul. O Providence! Providence! What discoveries are here made! Why, this is better, and more miraculous than the rest.

Care. What do you mean?

Sir Paul. I cannot tell you, I am so overjoyed; come along with me to my lady; I cannot contain myself; come, my dear friend. Care. So, so, so, this difficulty's over. [Aside. [Exeunt. Enter MELLEFONT and MASKWELL, from different doors.

Mel. Maskwell, I have been looking for you It is within a quarter of eight.

Mask. My lady is just gone into my lord's closet; you had best steal into her chamber before she comes, and lie concealed there; otherwise, she may lock the door when we are together, and you not easily get in to surprize us.

Mel. Ha? You say true.

Mask. You had best make haste; for, after she has made some apology to the company for her own and my lord's absence all this while, she'll retire to her chamber instantly.

Mel. I go this moment: Now, Fortune, I defy thee. [Exit. Mask. I confess, you may be allowed to be secure in your own opinion; the appearance is very fair; but I have an after-game to play, that shall turn the tables; and here comes the man that I must manage.

Enter LORD TOUCHWOOD.

Lord Touch. Maskwell, you are the man I wished to meet.

Mask. I am happy to be in the way of your lordship's commands.

Lord Touch. I have always found you prudent and careful in any thing, that has concerned me or my family.

Mask. I were a villain else--I am bound by duty and gratitude, and my own inclination, to be ever your lordship's servant.

Lord Touch. Enough- -You are my friend; I know it: Yet there has been a thing in your knowledge, which has concerned me nearly, that you have concealed from me.

Mask. My lord!

Lord Touch. Nay, I excuse your friendship to my unnatural nephew thus far-But, I know, you have been privy to his impious designs upon my wife. This evening, she has told me all: her good-nature concealed it as long as was possible; but, he perseveres so in villainy, that she has told me even you were weary of dissuading him, though you have once actually hindered him from forcing her.

Mask. I am sorry, my lord, I cannot make you an answer; this is an occasion, in which I would not willingly be silent.

Lord Touch. I know you would excuse himAnd I know as well that you cannot.

Mask. Indeed, I was in hopes it had been but a youthful heat, that might have soon boiled over; but

Lord Touch. Say on.

Mask. I have nothing more to say, my lordbut to express my concern; for I think his frenzy increases daily.

Lord Touch. How! give me but proof of it, ocular proof, that I may justify my dealing with him to the world, and share my fortunes.

Mask. O, my lord! consider that is hard: besides, time may work upon him: then, for me to do it! I have professed an everlasting friendship to him.

Lord Touch. He is your friend, and what am I?
Mask. I am answered.

Lord Touch. Fear not his displeasure; I will put you out of his and Fortune's power; and for that thou art scrupulously honest, I will secure thy fidelity to him, and give my honour never to own any discovery that you shall make me. Can you give me a demonstrative proof? Speak.

Mask. I wish I could not-To be plain, my lord, I intended this evening to have tried all arguments to dissuade him from a design, which I suspect; and, if I had not succeeded, to have informed your lordship of what I knew.

Lord Touch. I thank you. What is the villain's purpose?

Mask. He has owned nothing to me of late, and, what I mean now, is only a bare suspicion of my own. If your lordship will meet me a quarter of an hour hence, there, in that lobby, by my lady's bed-chamber, I shall be able to tell

you more.

Lord Touch. I will.

Mask. My duty to your lordship makes me do a severe piece of justice.

Lord Touch. I will be secret, and reward your honesty beyond your hopes. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. opening, shews LADY TOUCHWOOD'S chamber.

MELLEFONT solus.

Mel. Pray Heaven my aunt keep touch with her assignation.- -Oh, that her lord were but sweating behind this hanging, with the expectation of what I shall see-Hist, she comesLittle does she think what a mine is just ready to spring under her feet. But, to iny post.

[Goes behind the hungings.

Enter LADY TOUCHWOOD. Lady Touch. 'Tis eight o'clock: methinks, I should have found him here-Who does not prevent the hour of love, outstays the time; for, to

Enter MASKWELL,-MELLEFONT absconding. Mask. I confess, you do reproach me, when I see you here before me; but, 'tis fit I should be still behind-hand, still to be more and more indebted to your goodness.

Lady Touch. You can excuse a fault too well, not to have been to blame-A ready answer shews you were prepared.

Mask. Guilt is ever at a loss, and confusion waits upon it; when innocence and bold truth are always ready for expression

Lady Touch. Not in love; words are the weak support of cold indifference; love has no language to be heard.

Mask. Excess of joy has made me stupid! Thus, may my lips be ever closed. [Kisses her.] And thus--Oh, who would not lose his speech upon condition to have joys above it! Lady Touch. Hold, let me lock the door first. [Goes to the door. Mask. [Aside.] That I believed; 'twas well I left the private passage open.

Lady Touch. So, that's safe.

Mask. And so may all your pleasures be, and secret as this kiss

Mel. And may all treachery be thus discovered! [Leaps out. [Shrieks. [Offers to draw. Mask. Nay, then, there's but one way.

Lady Touch. Ah!

Mel. Villain!

[Runs out. Mel. Say you so? were you provided for an escape? Hold, madam, you have no more holes to your burrow; I stand between you and this sally-port.

Lady Touch. Thunder strike thee dead for this deccit, immediate lightning blast thee, ine, and the whole word!——Oh! I could rack myself, play the vulture to my own heart, and gnaw it, piece-meal, for not boding to me this misfortune. Mel. Be patient

Lady Touch. Be damned.

Mel. Consider, I have you on the hook; you will but flounder yourself a weary, and be, nevertheless, my prisoner.

Lady Touch. I'll hold my breath and die, but I'll be free.

Mel. O madam, have a care of dying unprepared; I doubt that you have some unrepented sins that may hang heavy, and retard your flight. Lady Touch. Oh! what shall I do? say? Whither shall I turn? Has hell no remedy?

Mel. None. Hell has served you even as Heaven has done, left you to yourself.---You are in a kind of Erasmus paradise : yet, if you please, you may make it a purgatory; and, with a little penance and my absolution, all this may turn to a good account.

Lady Touch, [Aside.] Hold in my passion, and

Mel. You have been to blame-I like those tears, and hope they are of the purest kind-penitential tears.

Lady Touch. Oh, the scene was shifted quick before me-I had not time to think-I was surprised to see a monster in the glass, and now I find 'tis myself: can you have mercy to forgive the faults I have imagined, but never put in practice? Oh, consider, consider how fatal you have been to me, you have already killed the quiet of this life. The love of you was the first wandering fire that e'er misled my steps, and while I had only that in view, I was betrayed into unthoughtof ways of ruin.

Mel. May I believe this true?

Lady Touch. Oh, be not cruelly incredulous ! How can you doubt these streaming eyes? Keep the severest eye over all my future conduct, and, if I ance relapse, let me not hope forgiveness ! 'twill ever be in your power to ruin me-my lord shall sign to your desires; I will myself create your happiness, and Cynthia shall be this night your bride-do but conceal my failings, and forgive.

Mel. Upon such terms, I will be ever yours in every honest way.

MASKWELL Softly introduces LORD TOUCHWOOD,

and retires.

Lady Touch. My lord, you hear him, he talks idly.

Lord Touch. Hence from my sight, thou living infamy to my name! when next I see that face, I'll write villain in it with my sword's point.

[As she is going, she turns back and smiles at

him.

Lord Touch. I fear he's mad, indeed—let's send Maskwell to him.

[Exeunt LORD and LADY TOUCHWOOD, Mel. Send him to her. Oh, I could curse my stars, fate, and chance; all causes and accidents of fortune in this life! but to what purpose? They talk of sending Maskwell to me; I never

Lady Touch. Alas, he raves! For Heaven's sake, away, my lord! he'll either tempt you to extravagance, or commit some himself.

Mel. Death and furies! will you not hear me? why, by Heaven, she laughs, grins, points to your back; she forks out cuckoldom with her fingers,

SCENE I.

imagination cannot form a fairer and more plausible design, than this of his, which has miscar→ ried-O my precious aunt! I shall never thrive without I deal with the devil, or another woman. Women, like flames, have a destroying power, Ne'er to be quenched, till they themselves de [Exit.

Enter LADY TOUCHWOOD and MASKWELL. Lady Touch. Was it not lucky? Mask. Lucky! fortune is your own, and 'tis her interest so to be; by Heaven, I believe you can controul her power, and she fears it; though chance brought my lord, 'twas your own art that turned it to advantage.

Lady Touch. 'Tis true, it might have been my ruin-but yonder's my lord; I believe he is coming to find you; I'll not be seen.

[Exit. Mask. So; I durst not own my introducing my lord, though it succeeded well for her, for she would have suspected a design, which I should have been puzzled to excuse. My lord is thoughtful-I'll be so, too; yet he shall know my thoughts; or think he does

Enter LORD TOUCHWOOD.

What have I done?

Lord Touch. Talking to himself!

Mask. 'Twas honest, and shall I be rewarded for it? No, 'twas honest, therefore I shall not: nay, rather, therefore, I ought not; for it rewards itself.

Lord Touch. Unequalled virtue! [Aside. Mask. But should it be known! then I have lost a friend! He was an ill man, and I have gained; for half myself I lent him, and that I have recalled; so, I have served myself, and, what is yet better, I have served a worthy lord, to whom I owe myself.

Lord Touch. Excellent man! [Aside. Mask. Yet I am wretched-Oh, there is a secret burns within this breast, which, should it once blaze forth, would ruin all, consume my honest character, and brand me with the name of villain.

vour.

Lord Touch. Ha!

Mask. Why do I love! Yet Heaven, and my waking conscience, are my witnesses, I never gave one working thought a vent, which might discover that I loved, nor ever must; no, let it prey upon my heart; for I would rather die than seem once, barely seem, once dishonest: Oh, should it once be known I love fair Cynthia, all this, that I have done, would look like rival's malice, false friendship to my lord, and base self-interest. Let me perish first, and from this hour avoid all sight and speech, and, if I can, all thought of that pernicious beauty. Ha! but what is my distraction doing? I am wildly talking to myself, and some ill chance might have directed malicious ears this way.

[Seems to start, seeing my lord. Lord Touch. Start not-let guilty and dishonest souls start at the revolution of their thoughts, but be thou fixed, as is thy virtue.

Mask. I am confounded, and beg your lordship's pardon for those free discourses which I have had with myself.

Lord Touch. Come, I beg your pardon that I overheard you, and yet it shall not need-honest Maskwell thy, and my good genius, led me hither-mine, in that I have discovered so much manly virtue; thine, in that thou shalt have due reward of all thy worth. Give me thy hand— my nephew is the alone remaining branch of all our ancient family; him I thus blow away, and constitute thee, in his room, to be my heir

Mask. Now, Heaven forbid—

Lord Touch. No more---I have resolved--the

writings are ready drawn, and wanted nothing but to be signed, and have his name inserted--yours will fill the blank as well--I will have no reply--let me command this time, for 'tis the last in which I will assume authority--hereafter, you shall rule where I have power.

Mask. I humbly would petitionLord Touch. Is it for yourself! [MASKWELL pauses.] I'll hear of nought for any body else.

Mask. Then witness, Heaven, for me, this wealth and honour was not of my seeking, nor would I build my fortune on another's ruin: I had but one desire

Lord Touch. Thou shalt enjoy it. If all I am worth in wealth or interest can purchase Cynthia, she is thine. I am sure sir Paul's consent will follow fortune; I will quickly shew him which way that is going.

Mask. You oppress me with bounty; my gratitude is weak, and shrinks beneath the weight, and cannot rise to thank you-what, enjoy my love! forgive the transports of a blessing so unexpected, so unhoped for, so unthought of! Lord Touch. I will confirm it, and rejoice with thee. [Exit. Mask. This is prosperous indeed! why, let him find me out a villain, settled in possession of a fair estate, and full fruition of my love; I'll bear the railings of a losing gamester--but should he find me out before! 'tis dangerous to delay let me think-should my lord proceed to treat openly of my marriage with Cynthia, all must be discovered, and Mellefont can be no longer blinded. It must not be; nay, should my lady know it-aye, then were fine work indeed! her fury would spare nothing, though she involved herself in ruin. No, it must be by stratagem---I must deceive Mellefont once more, and get my lord to consent to my private management. He comes opportunely-now will I, in my old way, discover the whole, real truth of the matter to him, that he may not suspect one word on't.

No mask like open truth to cover lies,
As to go naked is the best disguise.

Enter MELLEFONT.

Mel. Oh, Maskwell, what hopes? I am confounded in a maze of thoughts, each leading into another, and all ending in perplexity. My uncle will not see, nor hear me.

Mask. No matter, sir; don't trouble your head; all is in my power.

Mel. How, for Heaven's sake?

Mask. Little do you think, that your aunt has kept her word-how the devil she wrought my lord into this dotage, I know not; but he is gone to sir Paul about my marriage with Cynthia, and has appointed me his heir.

Mel. The devil he has ! What's to be done? Mask. I have it, it must be by stratagem; for it is in vain to make application to him. I think I have that in my head, which cannot fail.Where is Cynthia?

Mel. In the garden.

Mask. Let us go and consult her: my life for yours, I cheat my lord.

[Exeunt.

Enter LORD and LADY TOUCHWOOD. Lady Touch. Maskwell your heir, and marry Cynthia !

Lord Touch. I cannot do too much for so much merit.

Lady Touch. But this is a thing of too great moment to be so suddenly resolved. Why Cynthia? Why must he be married? Is there not reward enough in raising his low fortune, but he must mix his blood with mine, and wed my niece? How know you, that my brother will consent, or she? nay, he himself, perhaps, may have affections otherwhere.

Lord Touch. No, I am convinced he loves

[Aside.

Lord Touch. His humility long stifled his passion; and his love of Mellefont would have made him still conceal it: but, by encouragement, I wrung the secret from him, and know he is no way to be rewarded but in her. I will defer my farther proceedings in it, till you have considered it: but remember how we are both indebted to him. [Exit.

Lady Touch. Both indebted to him! Yes, we are both indebted to him, if you knew all-villain! Oh, I am wild with this surprize of treachery: it is impossible; it cannot be--he love Cynthia! What shall I do? How shall I think? I cannot think-all my designs are lost, my love unsated, my revenge unfinished, and fresh cause of fury from unthought-of plagues!

Enter SIR PAUL.

Sir Paul. Madam, sister, my lady sister, did you see my lady, my wife?

Lady Touch. Oh! Torture!

Sir Paul. Gad's-bud, I cannot find her high nor low; where can she be, think you?

Lady Touch. Where she is serving you, as all your sex ought to be served; making you a beast. Don't you know, that you are a tool, brother?

Sir Paul. A fool; he, he, he! you are merry— no, no, not I; I know no such matter.

Lady Touch. Why, then, you don't know half your happiness.

Sir Paul. That's a jest, with all my heart, faith and troth-but hark ye, my lord told me something of a revolution of things; I don't know what to make on't--Gad's-hud, I must consult my wife-he talks of disinheriting his nephew, and I don't know what--look you, sister, I must know what my girl has to trust to; or not a syllable of a wedding, Gad's-bud--to shew you that I am not a fool.

Lady Touch. Hear me : consent to the breaking off this marriage, and the promoting any

Sir Paul. Why, what's the matter now? Good Lord, what's all this for? Poob, here's a joke indeed---why, where's my wife?

Lady Touch. With Careless, in the close arbour; he may want you by this time, as much as you want her.

Sir Paul. Oh, if she be with Mr Careless, 'tis well enough.

Lady Touch. Fool, sot, insensible ox! but remember what I said to you, or you had better eat your own horns; by this light, you had.

Sir Paul. You are a passionate woman, Gad's bud-but, to say truth, all our family are choleric; am the only peaceable person amongst them. [Exeunt. Enter MELLEFONT, MASKWELL, and CYNTHIA. Mel. I know no other way but this he has proposed; if you have love enough to run the

venture.

Cyn. I don't know whether I have love enough--but I find I have obstinacy enough, to pursue whatever I have once resolved; and a true female courage to oppose any thing that resists my will, though it were reason itself.

Mask. That's right-well, I'll secure the writings, and run the hazard along with you. Cyn. But how can the coach and six horses be got ready without suspicion?

Mask. Leave it to my care; that shall be so far from being suspected, that it shall be got ready by my lord's own order.

Mel. How?

Mask. Well, get yourselves ready, and meet me in half an hour, yonder, in my lady's dressing room; go by the back-stairs, and so we may slip down without being observed---I'll send the chaplain to you with his robes; I have made him my own---and ordered him to meet us to-morrow morning at St Alban's; there we will sum up this account to all our satisfactions.

Mel. Should I begin to thank or praise thee, I should waste the little time we have.

Cyn. I will not fail.

[Erit.

Mask. Why, qui vult decipi decipiatur. Tis no fault of mine. I have told them in plain terms how easy it is for me to cheat them; and if they will not hear the serpent's hiss, they must be stung into experience and future cautionNow to prepare my lord to consent to thisBut first I must instruct my little Levite; there is no plot, public or private, that can expect to prosper without one of them has a finger in it; he promised me to be within at this hour-Mr Saygrace, Mr Saygrace!

[Goes to the chamber door, and knocks. [Mr SAYGRACE looking out.] Sweet sir, I will but pen the last line of an acrostic, and be with you in the twinkling of an ejaculation, in the pronouncing of an Amen, or before you can————

Mask. Nay, good Mr Saygrace, do not prolong the time by describing to me the shortness of your stay; rather, if you please, defer the finishing of your wit, and let us talk about our business; it shall be tithes in your way.

Enter SAYGRACE.

Say. You shall prevail; I would break off in the middle of a sermon to do you a pleasure. Mask. You could not do me a greaterexcept the business in handHave you provided a habit for Mellefont? Say. I have; they are ready in my chamber, together with a clean starched band and cuffs.

Mask. Good: let them be carried to him---Have you stitched the gown-sleeve, that he may be puzzled, and waste time in putting it on?