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Poul. Pooh, what Billy talks of are trifles to the evils you are to expect to have a girl to break in upon your old ways! your afternoon's nap interrupted, and perhaps not suffered to take your pipe of a night!

Flint. No!

Poul. All your former friends forbidden your house

Flint. The fewer come in, the less will go out: I shan't be sorry for that.

Poul. To make room for her own numerous clan

Flint. Not a soul of them shall enter my doors. Poul. A brood of babes at your boards, whose fathers she herself won't find it easy to nameFlint. To prevent that, I'll lock her up in a

room.

Poul. The King's Bench will break open the door

Fint. Then I'll turn her out of the house. Poul. Then her debts will throw you into gaol

Flint. Who told you so?

Poul. A dozen of proctors.

Flint. Then I will hang myself out of the way. Poul. So she will become possessed of her jointure, and her creditors will foreclose your

estate.

Flint. What a miserable poor toad is a husband, whose misfortunes not even death can relieve!

But. Think of that, squire, before it be too late!

Flint. Well, but friends, neighbours, what the deuce can I do? Are you all of a mind?

De Jar. All, all; dere is no question at all: What! a garçon of your ancient famille to take up with a pauvre petite bourgeoise?

Flint. Does that never happen in France?

De Jar. Never, but when Monsieur le Baron is very great beggar, and le bourgeoise has damned deal de guineas.

Poul. That is none of our case. Flint. No, no--Mynheer, do your people never make up such matches?

Sour Crout. Never, never-what, a German dishonour his stock! why, Mester Flint, should Mistress Linnet bring you de children for de ten generations to come, they could not be chose de canons of Strasburgh.

Flint. No?

a miscrable scrape am I in! and here, too, not an hour ago, it has cost me, the Lord knows what, in making her presents!

Poul. Never mind that; you had better part with half you are worth in the world.

Flint. True, true-well, then, I'll go and break off all matters this minute.

Poul. The wisest thing you can do.

But. The sooner the better.

Flint. No doubt, no doubt, in the-and yet, Button, she is a vast pretty girl-I should be heartily sorry to lose her-dost think one could not get her on easier terms than on marriage? But. It is but trying, however.

Flint, To tell truth, Billy, I have always had that in my head; and, at all events, I have thought of a project that will answer my purpose. But. Ay, squire, what is it?

Flint. No matter-and, do you hear, Billy? should I get her consent, if you will take her off my hands, and marry her, when I begin to grow tired, I'll settle ten pounds a year upon you, for both your lives.

But. Without paying the taxes?

Flint. That matter we will talk of hereafter.

[Exit. Poul. So, so, we have well settled this business, however.

But. No more thoughts of his taking a wife. Poul. He would sooner be tied to a gibbet; but, Billy, step after him, they will let you in at Sir Christopher Cripple's; and bring us, Bill, a faithful account.

But. I will, I will: but where shall you be?
Poul. Above, in the Phoenix; we won't stir
out of the house; but be very exact.
But. Never fear.

SCENE II.

Enter MISS LINNET.

[Exeunt.

Miss Lin. Heigh ho! what a sacrifice am I going to make! but it is the will of those who have a right to all my obedience, and to that I will submit. [Loud knocking at the door.] Bless me! who can that be at this time of night! Our friends may err; and projects the most prudentially pointed, may miss of their aim; but age and experience demand respect and attention,

Poul. So, squire, take it which way you will, and the undoubted kindness of our parents' de

what dreadful danger you ran !

Flint. I do.

Poul. Loss of friends

But. Pipe and afternoon's nap

Sour Crout. You famille gone to de dogsDe Jar. Your peace of mind to de devilPoul. Your health

But. Your wealth

Poul. Plate, money, and manors-
All. Your-

Flint. Enough, dear neighbours, enough-I feel it, I feel it too well. Lord have mercy, what

signs claims, on our parts at least, a grateful and
ready compliance.

Enter NANCY.
Nancy, who was that at the door?

Nan. Mr. Flint, miss, begs the favour of speaking five words with you.

Miss Lin. I was in hopes to have had this night, at least, to myself Where is my mother?

Nan. In the next room with Lady Catherine, consulting about your clothes for the morning. Miss Lin. He is here-very well, you may go.

[Exit.

Enter FLINT.

Flint. She is alone, as I wished-Miss, I beg pardon for intruding at this time of night, but Miss Lin. Sir!

Flint. You can't wonder that I desire to enjoy your good company every minute I can.

Miss Lin. Those minutes, a short space will place, Mr. Flint, in your power; if, till then, you had permitted me to

Flint. Right. But, to say the truth, I wanted to have a little serious talk with you of how and about it. I think, miss, you agree, if we marry, to go off to the country directly?

Miss Lin. If we marry! Is it, then, a matter of doubt?

Flint. Why, I tell you, miss; with regard to myself, you know, I am one of the most ancientest families in all the country round

Miss Lin. Without doubt.

Flint. And, as to money and lands in these parts, I believe few people can match me. Miss Lin. Perhaps not.

Flint. And as to yourself-I don't speak in a disparaging way-your friends are low folks, and your fortune just nothing.

Miss Lin. True, sir; but this is no new discovery; you have known this

Flint. Hear me out now!-as I bring all these good things on my side, and you have nothing to give me in return but your love, I ought to be pretty sure of the possession of that.

Miss Lin. I hope, the properly discharging all the duties of that condition, which I am shortly to owe to your favour, will give you convincing proofs of my gratitude.

Flint. Your gratitude, miss!-but we talk of your love! and of that, if I marry, I must have plain and positive proofs.

Miss Lin. Proofs ! of what kind? Flint. To steal away directly with me to my lodgings.

Miss Lin. Your lodgings!

Flint. There pass the night, and in the morning, the very minute we rise, we will march away to the abbey.

Miss Lin. Sir!

Flint. In short, miss, I must have this token of love, or not a syllable more of the marriage. Miss Lin. Give me patience!

Flint. Come, miss, we have not a minute to lose; the coast is clear-should somebody come, you will put it out of my power to do what I design.

Miss Lin. Power! Hands off, Mr. Flint! Power! I promise you, sir, you shall never have me in your power.

Flint. Here, miss

Miss Lin. Despicable wretch! from what part of my character could your vanity derive a hope, that I would submit to your infamous purpose? Flint. Don't be in a

Miss Lin. To put principle out of the question, not a creature, that had the least tincture of pride, could fall a victim to such a contemptible

Flint. Why, but, miss

Miss Lin. It is true, in compliance with the carnest request of my friends, I had consented to sacrifice my peace to their pleasure; and, though reluctant, would have given you my hand. Flint. Vastly well!

Miss Lin. What motive, but obedience to them could I have had in forming an union with you? Did you presume I was struck with your personal merit, or think the sordidness of your mind and manners would tempt me?

Flint, Really, miss, this is carrying

Miss Lin. You have wealth, I confess; but where could have been the advantage to me, as a reward for becoming your drudge? I might, perhaps, have received a scanty subsistence, for I can hardly suppose you would grant the free use of that to your wife, which your meanness has denied to yourself.

Flint. So, so, so!--by and by she will alarm the whole house!

Miss Lin. The whole house! the whole town shall be told. Sure the greatest misfortune, that poverty brings in its train, is the subjecting us to the insult of wretches like this, who have no other merit but what their riches bestow on them. Flint. What a damnable vixen! [Aside.

Miss Lin. Go, sir! leave the house! I am ashamed, sir, you have had the power to move me; and never more let me be shocked with your sight.

Enter LADY CATHERINE and MRS. LINNET.

Lady Cath. How's aw wi you within?— Gad's mercy! what's the matter wi miss? I will hope, Maister Flint, it is na you, wha ha set her a wailing?

Mrs. Lin. Kitty, my love!

Miss Lin. A modest proposal of that gentleman's making

Lady Cath. Of what kind?

Miss Lin. Only this moment to quit my father and you, and take up my lodging with h.m.

Lady Cath. To night! aw, that is quite out of the order of things; that is ne'er done, Maister Flint, till after the ceremony of the nuptials is said.

Flint. No? Then, I can tell your ladyship, it will never be done.

Lauy Cath. How?

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me up, that I may take a peep at the puppyYour servant, young gentleman! what is it true that we hear? A sweet swain this, to tempt a virgin to sin! Why, Old Nick has made a mistake here; he used to be more expert in his angling; for what female on earth can be got to catch this bait ? Lady Cath. Haud, haud you, Sir Christopher Cripple, let Maister Flint and I have a short conference upon this occasion-I find, Maister Flint you ha made a little mistake, but marriage will set aw matters right in the instant. I suppose you persevere to gang wi miss to kirk in the morning?

Flint. No, madam, nor the evening neither. Lady Cath. Mercy a Gad! what, do you refuse to ratify the preliminaries?

Flint. I don't say that neither.

vain to expect justice or honour from him! What a most contemptible cur is a miser!

Sir Chr. Ten thousand times worse than a highwayman; that poor devil only pilfers from Peter or Paul, and the money is scattered as soon as received; but the wretch, that accumulates for the sake of secreting, annihilates what was intended for the use of the world, and is a robber of the whole human race.

Rac. And of himself, too, into the bargain.
But. For all the world; like a magpie, he
steals for the mere pleasure of hiding.
Rac. Well observed, little Bill.

But. Why, he wanted to bring me into his plot-yes; he made proposals for me to marry miss, after his purpose was served !

Sir Chr. How!

But. But he was out in his man-let him give

Sir Chr. Then name the time in which you his cast clothes to his coachman. Billy Button

will fulfil them--a week?

Lady Cath. A fortnight?

Mrs. Lin. A month?

Flint. I won't be bound to no time.

Rac. A rascally evasion of his to avoid an action at law.

Sir Chr. But, perhaps, he may be disappointed in that.

Lady Cath. Well; but, Maister Flint, are you willing to make miss a pecuniary acknowledgment for the damage?

Flint. I have done her no damage, and I'll make no reparation.

Rac. Twelve honest men of your country may happen to differ in judgment.

Flint. Let her try, if she will.

Sir Chr. And, I promise you, she shan't be to seek for the means.

Lady Cuth. If you be nae afraid of the laws, ha you no sense of shame ?

Rac. He sense of shame!

Lady Cath. Gad's wull! it shall cum to the proof; you mun ken, good folk, at Edinburgh, last winter, I got acquainted with Maister Foot the play-actor-I will get him to bring the filthy loon on the stage

Sir Chr. And expose him to the contempt of the world? he richly deserves it.

Flint. Ay, he may write, you may rail, and the people may biss, and what care I? I have that at home, that will keep up my spirits. Lady Cath. At hame?'

Rac. The wretch means his money. Flint. And what better friend can any man have? Tell me the place where its influence fails? Ask that gentleman how he got his cockade? Money! I know its worth; and, therefore, can't too carefully keep it. At this very instant, I have a proof of its value; it enables me to laugh at that squeamish impertinent girl, and despise the weak efforts of your impotent maliceCall me forth to your courts when you please, that will procure me able defenders, and good witnesses too if they are wanted. [Exit.

Sir Chr. Now there's a fellow, that will never reform.

Rac. You had better let him alone; it is in

can afford a new suit of his own.

Rac. I don't doubt it at all.

But. Fellow-I am almost resolved never to set another stitch for him as long as I live.

Sir Chr. Right, Button, right; but where is Miss Kitty? Come hither, my chicken: Faith I am heartily glad you are rid of this scoundrel; and, if such a crippled old fellow as me was worthy of your notice but hold, Kate, there is another chap I must guard you against

Miss Lin. Another, sir! Who?
Sir Chr. Why, this gentleman.
Rac. Me!

Sir Chr. Ay, you; come, come, major, don't think you can impose upon a cunning old sportsman like me.

Rac. Upon my soul, Sir Christopher, you make me blush.

Sir Chr. Oh! you are devilish modest, I know-but to come to the trial at once. I have some reason to believe, major, you are fond of this girl; and, that her want of fortune mayn't plead your excuse, I don't think I can better begin my plan of reforming, than by a compliment paid to her virtue-then take her, and, with her, two thousand guineas in hand.

Mrs. Lin. How, sir!

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Lady Cath. Gi me leave, Sir Christopher, to throw in the widow's mite on the happy occasion; the bride garment, and her dinner shall be furnished by me.

Sir Chr. Cock-a-leeky soup?

Lady Cath. Sheep's head singed, and a haggics in plenty.

Sir Chr. Well said, lady Catherine!

Miss Lin. How, sir, shall I acknowledge this goodness?

Sir Chr. By saying nothing about it-Well, sir, we wait your answer.

Rac. I think the lady might first be consulted: I should be sorry a fresh persecution should follow so fast on the heels of the

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Rac. I believe, madam, I can satisfy that.

Miss Lin. I sha'n't give you the trouble-but, first, let me return you all my most grateful thanks for your kind intentions towards me. I know your generous motives, and feel their value, I hope, as I ought; but might I be permitted to chuse, I beg to remain in the station I am; my little talents have hitherto received the public protection; nor, whilst I continue to deserve, am I the least afraid of losing my patrons.

[Exeunt.

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ing: what a lubberly fellow you are! ha, ha!Why don't you speak out, you blockhead?

Sim. Lord, sir, to be sure, the gentleman is a fine young gentleman, and a sweet young gentleman-but, lack-a-day, sir! how should I know any thing of him?

Win. Sirrah, I say he could not be 'prentice to your master so long, and you live so long in one house with him, without knowing his haunts, and all his ways; and then, varlet, what brings you here to my house so often?

Sim. My master Gargle and I, sir, are so uneasy about un, that I have been running all over the town since morning, to enquire for un; and so in my way, I thought I might as well call

here

Win. A villain, to give his father all this trou

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