Sir Fran. Well, what art thou thinking on m ha? how to banter Sir George !

Miran. I must not pretend to banter; he my tongue too well. [Aside.] No, Gardy, I thought of a way will confound him more than could say, if I should talk to him seven years. Sir Fran. How's that? oh! I'm transported ravish'd, I'm mad————

Miran. It would make you mad if you kne [Aside.] I'll not answer him a word, but be du all he says.

Sir Fran. Dumb! good; ha, ha, ha! Excel ha, ha, ha, ha! I think I have you now, Sir Ge Dumb! he'll go distracted-well, she's the wi rogue.-Ha, ha, dumb! I cann't but laugh, ha to think how damn'd mad he'll be when he find has given his money away for a dumb show; ha, ha!

Miran. Nay, Gardy, if he did but know my thou of him it would make him ten times madder; ha, ha, ha!

Sir. Fran. Ay, so it would, Chargy, to hold hir such derision, to scorn to answer him, to be dun ha, ha, ha!

Enter CHARLES.

Sir Fran. How now, sirrah! who let you in?

Cha. My necessities, sir.

Sir Fran. Your necessities are very impertinent, a ought to have sent before they enter'd.

Cha. Sir, I knew 'twas a word would gain admittance no where.

Sir Fran. Then, sirrah, how durst you rudely thrust that upon your father, which nobody else would ad mit?

Cha. Sure the name of à son is a sufficient plea. I ask this lady's pardon if I have intruded.

Sir Fran. Ay, ay, ask her pardon and her blessing too, if you expect any thing from me.

Miran. I believe yours, Sir Francis, in a purse of guineas, would be more material. Your son may have business with you; I'll retire.

Sir Fran. I guess his business, but I'll dispatch him; I expect the knight every minute: you'll be in readi

ness?

Miran. Certainly; my expectation is more upon the wing than yours, old gentleman.

Sir Fran. Well, sir.

[Exit.

Cha. Nay, it is very ill, sir; my circumstances are I'm sure.

Sir Fran. And what's that to me, sir? your management should have made 'em better.

Cha. If you please to entrust me with the management of my estate I shall endeavour it, sir.

Sir. Fran. What, to set upon a card, and buy a lady's favour at the price of a thousand pieces, to rig out an equipage for a wench, or by your carelessness to enrich your steward, to fine for sheriff, or put up for a parliament-man?

Cha. I hope I should not spend it this way: how

ever I ask only for what my uncle left me; yo may dispose of as you please, sir.

Sir Fran. That I shall out of your reach, you, sir. Adad these young fellows think o get estates for nothing but them to squander dicing, wenching, drinking, dressing, and so f Cha. I think I was born a gentleman, sir, I my uncle bred me like one.

Sir Fran. From which you would infer, si gaming, whoring, and the pox, are requisite gentleman.

Cha. Monstrous! when I would ask him of a support he falls into these unmannerly repro I must, tho' against my will, employ invention by stratagem relieve myself.

Sir Fran. Sirrah, what is it you mutter, si ha! [Holds up his cane.] I say you sha'n't have a out of my hands till I please—and may be I' ver please; and what's that to you

?

Cha. Nay, to be robb'd or have one's throat not much

Sir Fran. What's that, sirrah? would you ro or cut my throat, ye rogue?

Cha. Heaven forbid, sir!-I said no such thing Sir Fran. Mercy on me! what a plague it is to a son of one-and-twenty, who wants to elbow out of one's life to edge himself into the estate!

Enter MARPLOT.

Mar. Egad he's here--I was afraid I had lost

his secret could not be with his father; his wants are publick there.-Guardian, your servant-0 Charles, zre you there? I know by that sorrowful countenance of thine the old man's fist is as close as his strong box -But I'll help thee.

Sir Fran. So here's another extravagant coxcomb that will spend his fortune before he comes to't, but he shall pay swinging interest, and so let the fool go ɔn.—Well, what, does necessity bring you too, sir? Mar. You have hit it, Guardian-I want a hundred pounds.

Sir Fran. For what?

Mar. Pogh! for a hundred things; I cann't for my life tell you for what.

Cha. Sir, I suppose I have received all the answer I am like to have.

Mar. Oh the devil! if he gets out before me I shall lose him again.

Sir Fran. Ay, sir, and you may be marching as soon as you please-I must see a change in your temper, ere you find one in mine.

Mar. Pray, sir, dispatch me; the money, sir; I'm in mighty haste.

Sir Fran. Fool, take this and go to the cashier. I sha'n't be long plagu'd with thee. [Gives him a note. Mar. Devil take the cashier! I shall certainly have Charles gone before I come back. [Runs out.

Cha. Well, sir, I take my leave-but remember you expose an only son to all the miseries of wretched

poverty, which too often lays the plan for s

mischief.

Sir Fran. Stay, Charles! I have a sudden come into my head may prove to thy advanta Cha. Ha! does he relent?

Sir Fran. My lady Wrinkle, worth forty t pounds, sets up for a handsome young husbar prais'd thee t'other day; tho' the matchmak get twenty guineas for a sight of her I can in thee for nothing.

Cha. My lady Wrinkle, sir! why, she has b eye.

Sir Fran. Then she'll see but half your ex gance, sir.

Cha. Condemn me to such a piece of defo a toothless, dirty, wry-neck'd, hunch-back'd, h Sir Fran. Hunch-back'd! so much the better she has a rest for her misfortunes, for thou wil her swingingly. Now, I warrant, you think this offer of a father; forty thousand pounds is no with you.

Cha. Yes, sir, I think it is too much; a young tiful woman with half the money would be more a able. I thank you, sir; but you chuse bette yourself I find.

Sir Fran. Out of my doors, you dog! you pre to meddle with my marriage, sirral !

Cha. Sir, I obey; but

Sir Fran. But me no buts-begone, sir! dare to