have done you a piece of service: I told the old thunderbolt that the gentleman that was gone in was— Cha. Was it you that told him, sir? [Laying hold of him.] 'Sdeath! I could crush thee into atoms.

[Exit Charles.

Mar. What! will you choke me for my kindness?

-Will my inquiring soul never leave searching into other people's affairs till it gets squeez'd out of my body? I dare not follow him now for my blood, he's in such a passion.—I'll to Miranda; if I can discover aught that may oblige sir George, it may be a means to reconcile me again to Charles.

Sir Jeal. within.] Look about! search! find him out! Mar. Oh, the devil! there's old Crabstick again. [Ex.

Enter Sir JEALOUS and his servants.

Sir Jeal. Are you sure you have search'd every

where ?

Serv. Yes, from the top of the house to the bottom.
Sir Jeal. Under the beds and over the beds?
Serv. Yes, and in them too, but found nobody, sir.
Sir Jeal. Why, what could this rogue mean?

Enter ISABINDA and PATCH.

Patch. Take courage, madam, I saw him safe out. [Aside to Isab.

Isab. Bless me! what's the matter, sir?

Sir Jeal. You know best-Pray where's the man

that was here just now?

Isab. What man, sir? I saw none.

AЯ III. Patch. Nor I, by the trust you repose in me. Do you think I wou'd let a man come within these doors when you are absent ?

Sir Jeal. Ah, Patch! she may be too cunning for thy honesty: the very scout that he had set to give warning discovered it to me half-a-dozen myrmidons

and threatened me with but I think I maul'd

the villain. These afflictions you draw upon me, mistress !

Isab. Pardon me, sir, 'tis your own ridiculous humour draws you into these vexations, and givės every fool pretence to banter you.

Sir Jeal. No, 'tis your idle conduct, your coquettish flirting into the balcony-Oh! with what joy shall I resign thee into the arms of Don Diego Babinetto! Isab. And with what industry shall I avoid him.

Aside. Sir Jeal. Certainly that rogue had a message from somebody or other, but being baulk'd by my coming popp'd that sham upon me. Come along ye sots, let's see if we can find the dog again. Patch, lock her up, d'ye hear?

Patch. Yes, sir-Ay, walk till your heels ache, you'll find nobody I promise you.

Isab. Who could that scout be which he talks of? Patch. Nay, I cann't imagine without it was Whisper.

Isab. Well, dear Patch! let's employ all our thoughts how to escape this horrid Don Diego; my very heart sinks at his terrible name.

THE BUSY BODY.

57

Patch. Fear not, madam; Don Carlo shall be the man, or I'll lose the reputation of contriving, and then what's a chambermaid good for?

"Isab. Say'st thou so, my girl? then

"Let dad be jealous, multiply his cares ;
"Whilst love instructs me to avoid the snares,
"I'll spite of all his Spanish caution show

"How much for love a British maid can do." [Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

Sir FRANCIS GRIPE's house. Enter Sir FRANCIS and MIRANDA meeting.

Miran. Well, Gardy, how did I perform the dumb

scene?

怡 Sir Fran. To admiration-Thou dear little rogue ! it let me buss thee for it: nay, adad I will, Chargy, so muzzle, and tuzzle, and hug thee; I will, i'faith I $ will. [Hugging and kissing her.

Miran. Nay, Gardy, don't be so lavish. Who would ride post when the journey lasts for life?

Sir Fran. Ah wag, ah wag! I'll buss thee again for that. Oh, I'm transported! When, when, my dear! wilt thou convince the world of the happy day? when shall we marry, ha?

Miran. There's nothing wanting but your consent, sir Francis.

Sir Fran. My consent! what does my charmer

mean?

Miran. Nay, 'tis only a whim; but I'll have every thing according to form therefore when you sign an authentick paper drawn up by an able lawyer, that I have your leave to marry, the next day makes me your's, Gardy.

Sir Fran. Ha, ha, ha! a whim indeed! why, is it not demonstration I give my leave when I marry thee?

Miran. Not for your reputation, Gardy; the malicious world will be apt to say you trick me into marriage, and so take the merit from my choice: now I will have the act my own, to let the idle fops see how much I prefer a man loaded with years and wisdom.

Sir Fran. Humph! Pr'ythee leave out years, Chargy; I'm not so old, as thou shalt find. Adad I'm young: there's a caper for ye!

[Jumps. Miran. Oh, never excuse it; why, I like you the better for being old but I shall suspect you don't love me if you refuse me this formality.

Sir Fran. Not love thee, Chargy! Adad I do love thee better than, than, than, better than what shall I say?egad better than money; i'faith I do

Miran. That's false I'm sure. [Aside.] To prove it

do this then.

Sir Fran. Well, I will do it, Chargy, provided I bring a licence at the same time,

Miran. Ay, and a parson too if you please. Ha, ha, ́a! I cann't help laughing to think how all the young uxcombs about town will be mortified when they ear of our marriage.

Sir Fran. So they will, so they will; ha, ha, ha! Miran. Well, I fancy I shall be so happy with my Gardy

Sir Fran. If wearing pearls and jewels, or eating gold, as the old saying is, can make thee happy, thou shalt be so, my sweetest, my lovely, my charming, my-verily I know not what to call thee.

Miran. You must know, Gardy, that I am so eager to have this business concluded, that I have employed my woman's brother, who is a lawyer in the Temple, to settle matters just to your liking; you are to give your consent to my marriage, which is to yourself you know: but, mum, you must take no notice of that. So then I will, that is, with your leave, put my writings into his hands; then to-morrow we come slap upon them with a wedding that nobody thought on, by which you seize me and my estate, and I suppose make a bonfire of your own act and deed. Sir Fran. Nay, but Chargy, ifMiran. Nay, Gardy, no 1fs.

-Have I refus'd

three northern lords, two British peers, and half a score knights, to have put in your Ifs ?

Sir Fran. So thou hast indeed, and I will trust to thy management. 'Od I'm all of a fire.

Miran. 'Tis a wonder the dry stubble does not blaze.

[Aside.