Cha. Marplot, you must excuse me; I am Mar. Engag'd! Egad I'll engage my life I' what your engagement is. Miran. coming out of a chair.] Let the chai My servant that dogg'd Sir George said he wa Park. Enter PATCH. Ha! miss Patch alone! did not you tell me y contrived a way to bring Isabinda to the Park Patch. Oh, madam, your ladyship cann't in what a wretched disappointment we have met Just as I had fetch'd a suit of my clothes for guise, comes my old master into his closet, wh right against her chamber door: this struck u a terrible fright-at length I put on a grave fac ask'd him if he was at leisure for his chocolate hopes to draw him out of his hole; but he sn my nose off: "No, I shall be busy here thes hours." At which my poor mistress seeing no of escape ordered me to wait on your ladyship the sad relation. Miran. Unhappy Isabinda! was ever any thin unaccountable as the humour of Sir Jealous Traf Patch. Oh, madam, it's his living so long in Sp he vows he'll spend half his estate but he'll be a liament-man, on purpose to bring in a bill for wo to wear veils, and other odious Spanish customsswears it is the height of impudence to have a wo een barefac'd even at church, and scarce believes here's a true begotten child in the city. Miran. Ha, ha, ha! how the old fool torments himelf! Suppose he could introduce his rigid rules— loes he think we could not match them in contrirance? No, no; let the tyrant man make what laws e will, if there's a woman under the government, I varrant she finds a way to break 'em. Is his mind et upon the Spaniard for his son-in-law still? Patch. Ay, and he expects him by the next fleet, which drives his daughter to melancholy and despair. But, madam, I find you retain the same gay cheerful spirit you had when I waited on your ladyship.-My lady is mighty good-humour'd too, and I have found a way to make Sir Jealous believe I am wholly in his interest, when my real design is to serve her: he makes me her gaoler, and I set her at liberty. Miran. I knew thy prolifick brain would be of singular service to her, or I had not parted with thee to her father. Patch. But, madam, the report is that you are going to marry your guardian. Miran. It is necessary such a report should be, Patch. Patch. But is it true, madam! Miran. That's not absolutely necessary. Patch. I thought it was only the old strain, coaxing him still for your own, and railling at all the young fellows about town: in my mind now you are as ill plagu'd with your guardian, madam, as my lady is with her father. Miran. No, I have liberty, wench; that s what would she give now to be in this dis the open air, nay more, in pursuit of the you she likes for that's my case I assure you. Patch. As for that, madam, she's even v for tho' she cann't come abroad we have bring him home in spite of old Argus. Miran. Now, Patch, your opinion of my ch here he comes.-Ha! my guardian with hin can be the meaning of this? I'm sure Sir cann't know me in this dress. -Let's obser [They w Enter Sir FRANCIS GRIPE and Sir GEORGE Sir Fran. Verily, Sir George, thou wilt throwing away thy money so, for I tell thee sin Miranda, my charge, does not like a young f they are all vicious, and seldom make good hus in sober sadness she cannot abide 'em. Miran. peeping.] In sober sadness you are mis -What can this mean? Sir Geo. Look ye, Sir Francis, whether she cannot abide young fellows is not the business you take the fifty guineas? Sir Fran. In good truth I will not-for I knew father, he was a hearty wary man, and I cannot sent that his son should squander away what he to no purpose. Miran. peeping.] Now, in the name of wonder bargain can he be driving about me for fifty guin Patch. I wish it be n't for the first night's lodging, nadam. Sir Geo. Well, Sir Francis, since you are so concientious for my father's sake, then permit me the avour gratis. Miran. peeping.] The favour! O' my life I believe is as you said, Patch. Sir Fran. No verily; if thou dost not buy thy exerience thou wilt never be wise; therefore give me hundred, and try thy fortune. Sir Geo. The scruples arose, I find, from the scanty um.- -Let me see-a hundred guineas-[Takes 'cm ut of a purse and chinks 'em.] Ha! they have a very retty sound, and a very pleasing look-But then, Mianda-but if she should be cruel Miran. peeping.] As ten to one I shall Sir Fran. Ay, do, consider on't. He, he, he! Patch. Do't! what, whether you will or no, malam? Sir Geo. Come, to the point; here's the gold; sum up the conditions. [Sir Fran. pulling out a paper.] Miran. peeping.] Ay, for Heaven's sake do, for my expectation is on the rack. I Sir Fran. Well, at your peril be it. Sir Geo. Ay, ay, go on. Sir Fran. Imprimis, you are to be admitted into my house in order to move your suit to Miranda, for the space of ten minutes, without let or molesta vided I remain in the same room. Sir Geo. But out of earshot. Sir Fran. Well, well, I don't desire to you say; ha, ha, ha! in consideration I an that purse and a hundred guineas. Sir Geo. Take it— [Gives him Miran. peeping.] So, 'tis well it's no worse you both Sir Geo. And this agreement is to be perfor day. Sir Fran. Ay, ay; the sooner the better. Po how Miranda and I shall laugh at him!-W George, ha, ha, ha! take the last sound guineas, ha, ha, ha! [Chinks 'em.] Miran. peeping.] Sure he does not know I randa. Sir Geo. A very extraordinary bargain I hat truly; if she should be really in love with cuff now-Psha! that's morally impossible.then, what hopes have I to succeed? I never s her Miran. peeping.] Say you so then I am safe Sir Geo. What tho' my tongue never spok eyes said a thousand things, and my hopes f me her's answer'd 'em. If I'm lucky-if no but a hundred guineas thrown away. [Miranda and Patch come fo Miran. Upon what, Sir George? |