misfortunes will happen. Ha, ha, ha! 'tis some comfort to have a companion in our sufferings.

Cha. I am only apprehensive for Isabinda; her father's humour is implacable; and how far his jealousy may transport him to her undoing, shocks my

soul to think.

Sir Geo. But since you escap'd undiscover'd by him, his rage will quickly lash into a calm, never fear it.

Cha. But who knows what that unlucky dog, Marplot, told him, nor can I imagine what brought him hither: that fellow is ever doing mischief; and yet, to give him his due, he never designs it. This is some blundering adventure wherein he thought to shew his friendship, as he calls it! a curse on him!

Sir Geo. Then you must forgive him. What said he? Cha. Said! nay, I had more mind to cut his throat, than to hear his excuses.

Sir Geo. Where is he?

Whisp. Sir, I saw him go into sir Francis Gripe's just now.

Cha. Oh! then he's upon your business, sir George: a thousand to one but he makes some mistake there too.

Sir Geo. Impossible, without he huffs the lady and makes love to Sir Francis.

Enter Drawer.

Draw. Mr. Marplot is below, gentlemen, and desires to know if he may have leave to wait upon ye.

Cha. How civil the rogue is when he has done a fault!

Sir Geo. Ho! desire him to walk up. Pr'ythee, Charles, throw off this chagrin, and be good company.

Cha. Nay, hang him, I'm not angry with him. Whisper, fetch me pen, ink, and paper.

Whisp. Yes, sir.

[Exit Whisper.

Enter. MARPLOT.

Cha. Do but mark his sheepish look, sir George.

Mar. Dear Charles! don't overwhelm a man already under insupportable affliction. I'm sure I always intend to serve my friends, but if my malicious stars deny the happiness, is the fault mine?

Sir Geo. Never mind him, Mr. Marplot; he's eat up with spleen. But tell me, what says Miranda ?

Mar. Says!-nay, we are all undone there too. Cha. I told you so; nothing prospers that he undertakes.

Mar. Why, can I help her having chose your father for better for worse?

Cha. So; there's another of Fortune's strokes. I suppose I shall be edged out of my estate with twins every year, let who will get 'em.

Sir Geo. What is the woman really possess'd? Mar. Yes, with the spirit of contradiction: she rail'd at you most prodigiously.

Sir Geo. That's no ill sign.

Enter WHISPER with pen, ink, and paper.

Mar. You'd say it was no good sign if you knew all. Sir Geo. Why, pr'ythee?

Mar. Hark 'e, sir George, let me warn you; pur

sue your old haunt no more;

it may [Charles sits down to write.

be dangerous.

Sir Geo. My old haunt! what do you mean ? Mar. Why in short then, since you will have it, Miranda vows if you dare approach the garden-gate at eight o'clock, as you us’d, you shall meet with a warm reception.

Sir Geo. A warm reception!

Mar. Ay, a very warm reception-you shall be saluted with a blunderbuss, sir.

These were her very

words: nay, she bid me tell you so too.

Sir Geo. Ha! the garden gate at eight, as I us'd to do! There must be meaning in this. Is there such a gate, Charles ?

Mar. Is there such a gate, Charles?

Cha. Yes, yes, it opens into the Park: I suppose her ladyship has made many a scamper thro' it.

Sir Geo. It must be an assignation then. Ha! my heart springs for joy; 'tis a propitious omen. My dear Marplot! let me embrace thee; thou art my friend, my better angel.

Mar. What do you mean, sir George ?

Sir Geo. No matter what I mean. Here, take a bumper to the garden-gate, you dear rogue you!

Mar. You have reason to be transported, sir George; I have sav'd your life.

Sir Geo. My life! thou hast sav'd my soul, man. Charles, if thou dost not pledge this health, mayʼst thou never taste the joys of love.

Cha. Whisper, be sure you take care how you deliver this. [Gives him the letter.] Bring me the answer to my lodgings.

Whisp. I warrant you, sir.

Mar. Whither does that letter go? Now dare I not ask for my blood-That fellow knows more secrets than I do. [Exit Whisper.

Cha. Now I'm for you.

Sir Geo. To the garden-gate at the hour of eight, Charles along; huzza!

Char. I begin to conceive you.

Mar. That's more than I do, egad-To the gardengate, huzza! [Drinks.] But I hope you design to keep far enough off on't, sir George.

Sir Geo. Ay, ay, never fear that; she shall see I despise her frowns; let her use the blunderbuss against the next fool; she sha'n't reach me with the smoke I warrant her; ha, ha, ha!

Mar. Ah, Charles! if you could receive a disappointment thus en cavalier, one should have some comfort in being beat for you.

Cha. The fool comprehends nothing.

Sir Geo. Nor would I have him. Pr'ythee, take him along with thee.

Cha. Enough.

Sir Geo. I kiss both your hands-And now for the garden-gate.

It's beauty gives the assignation there,

And love too powerful grows t' admit of fear. [Exit.

it Cha. Come, you shall go home with me.

Mar. Shall 1! and are we friends, Charles?—I am glad of it.

Cha. Come along.

[Exit Charles.

Mar. Egad, Charles' asking me to go home with him gives me a shrewd suspicion there's more in the garden-gate than I comprehend. Faith I'll give him the drop, and away to Gardy's and find it out [Exit.

ACT IV. SCENE 1.

The outside of Sir JEALOUS TRAFFICK's house, PATCH peeping out of the door. Enter WHISPER.

Whisper.

HA! Mrs. Patch, this is a lucky minute, to find you so readily; my master dies with impatience.

Patch. My lady imagin'd so, and by her orders I have been scouting this hour in search of you, to inform you that sir Jealous has invited some friends to supper with him to-night, which gives an opportunity to your master to make use of his ladder of