ropes. The closet window shall be open, and Isabinda ready to receive him. Bid him come immediately.

Whisp. Excellent! he'll not disappoint, I warrant him. But hold, I have a letter here which I'm to carry an answer to. I cann't think what language the direction is.

Patch. Pho! 'tis no language, but a character which the lovers invented to avert discovery-Ha! I hear my old master coming down stairs; it is impossible you should have an answer: away, and bid him come himself for that. Begone, we're ruin'd if you're seen, for he has doubled his care since the last accident. Whisp. I go, I go. [Exit. Patch. There, go thou into my pocket. [Puts it be. side and it falls down.] Now I'll up the back stairs lest I meet him-Well, a dexterous chambermaid is the ladies' best utensil, I say.

[Exit.

Enter Sir JEALOUS, with a letter in his hand.

Sir Jeal. So, this is some comfort; this tells me that Signior Don Diego Babinetto is safely arriv❜d. He shall marry my daughter the minute he comes-Ha, ha! what's here? [Takes up the letter Patch dropp'd.] A letter! I don't know what to make of the superscription. I'll see what's withinside. [Opens it.]—Humph—'tis Hebrew I think. What can this mean?-There must be some trick in it. This was certainly design'd for my daughter; but I don't know that she can speak any language but her mother tongue. No matter

for that; this may be one of Love's hieroglyphicks; and I fancy I saw Patch's tail sweep by: that wench may be a slut, and instead of guarding my honour betray it, I'll find it out, I'm resolv'd-" Who's "there?

Enter Servant.

"What answer did you bring from the gentleman I "sent you to invite?

"Serv. That they'd all wait on you, sir, as I told you before; but I suppose you forgot, sir.

"Sir Jeal. Did I so, sir? but I sha'n't forget to "break your head if any of them come, sir.

"Serv. Come, sir! why, did not you send me to "desire their company, sir?

"Sir Jeal. But I send you now to desire their ab. "sence. Say I have something extraordinary fallen << out, which calls me abroad contrary to expectation, "and ask their pardon; and, d'ye hear, send the but"ler to me.

“Serv. Yes, sir.

"Enter Butler.

[Exit.

"Sir Jeal. If this paper has a meaning I'll find it "-Lay the cloth in my daughter's chamber, and "bid the cook send supper thither presently.

"But. Yes, sir.-Hey-day! what's the matter now? [Exit. "Sir Jeal. He wants the eyes of Argus that has a

2

66 young handsome daughter in this town; but my "comfort is I shall not be troubled long with her. "He that pretends to rule a girl once in her teens "had better be at sea in a storm, and would be in less "danger;

"For let him do or counsel all he can,

"She thinks and dreams of nothing else but man." [Ex.

SCENE II.

ISABINDA'S chamber.

ISABINDA and PATCH.

Isab. Are you sure nobody saw you speak to Whisper?

Patch. Yes, very sure, madam; but I heard sir Jealous coming down stairs, so clapt his letter into my pocket. [Feels for the letter. Isab. A letter! give it me quickly. Patch. Bless me! what's become on't-I'm sure I

put it

[Searching still. Isab. Is it possible thou couldst be so careless?Oh, I'm undone for ever if it be lost.

But

Patch. I must have dropt it upon the stairs. why are you so much alarm'd? if the worst happens nobody can read it, madam, nor find out whom it was design'd for.

Isab. If it falls into my father's hands the very figure of a letter will produce ill consequences. Run and look for it upon the stairs this moment.

Patch. Nay, I'm sure it can be no where else[As she is going out of the door meets the butler.] How now, what do you want?

But. My master ordered me to lay the cloth here for supper.

Isab. Ruin'd past redemption

[Aside. Patch. You mistake, sure. What shall we do? Isab. I thought he expected company to-nightOh, poor Charles! oh, unfortunate Isabinda!

But. I thought so too, madam; but I suppose he has altered his mind. [Lays the cloth, and exit.

Isab. The letter is the cause. This heedless action has undone me. Fly and fasten the closet window, which will give Charles notice to retire. Ha! my father! oh, confusion!

Enter Sir JEALOUS.

Sir Jeal. Hold, hold, Patch; whither are you going I'll have nobody stir out of the room till after supper.

Patch. Sir, I was going to reach your easy chairoh, wretched accident!

Sir Feal. I'll have nobody stir out of the room. I don't want my easy chair.

Isab. What will be the event of this?

[Aside. Sir Jeal. Hark ye, daughter, do you know this hand?

Isab. As I suspected-Hand do you call it, sir? 'tis some schoolboy's scrawl.

G

Patch. Oh, Invention! thou chambermaid's best

friend, assist me !

Sir Jeal. Are you sure you don't understand it?
[Patch feels in her bosom and shakes her coats.

Isab. Do you understand it, sir?

Sir Jeal. I wish I did.

Isab. Thank Heav'n you do not. [Aside.] Then I know no more of it than you do, indeed, sir?

Patch. Oh Lord, O Lord! what have you done,

sir? why, the paper is mine; I dropp'd it out of my bosom. [Snatching it from him.

Sir Jeal. Ha! yours, mistress?

"Isab. What does she mean by owning it ?"

Patch. Yes, sir, it is.

Sir Jeal. What is it? speak.

Patch. Yes, sir, it is a charm for the tooth-ache-I have worn it these seven years; 'twas given me by an angel for aught I know, when I was raving with the pain, for nobody knew from whence he came nor whither he went. He charged me never to open it, lest some dire vengeance befall me, and Heaven knows what will be the event. Oh, cruel misfortune! that I should drop it and you should open it-If you had not open'd it—

"Isab. Excellent wench!"

[Aside. Sir Jeal. Pox of your charms and whims for me! if that be all 'tis well enough: there, there, burn it, and I warrant you no vengeance will follow.

Patch. So all's right again thus far.

[Aside

Isab. I would not lose Patch for the world-I'll