wretch pleased me, though he is but a younger brother, and not worth sixpence: And, in short, when I was leaving town, I promised to correspond with him. Clar. Do you think that was prudent? Dian. Madness! But this is not the worst, for what do you think, the creature had the assurance to write to me about three weeks ago, desiring permission to come down and spend the summer at my father's. 581 Clar. At your father's! Dian. Ay, who never saw him, knows nothing of him, and would as soon consent to my marrying a horse jockey. He told me a long story of some tale he intended to invent to make my father receive him as an indifferent person; and some gentlemen in London, he said, would procure him a letter that should give it a face; and he longed to see me so, he said, he could not live without it; and if he could be permitted but to spend a week with me Clar. Well, and what answer did you make? Dian. Oh! abused him, and refused to listen to any such thing-But-I vow I tremble while I tell it you Just before we left our house, the impudent monster arrived there, attended by a couple of servants, and is now actually coming here with my father. Clar. Upon my word, this is a dreadful thing. Dian. Dreadful, my dear!-I happened to be at the window as he came into the court, and I declare I had like to have fainted away. Clar. Isn't my Lady below? 603 Dian. Yes, and I must run down to her. You'll have my brother here presently too, he would fain have come in the coach with my mother and me, but my father insisted on his walking with him over the fields. Clar. Well, Diana, with regard to your affair-I think you must find some method of immediately informing this gentleman that you consider the outrage he has committed against you, in the most heinous light, and insist upon his going away directly. Dian. Why, I believe that will be the best waybut then he'll be begging my pardon and asking to stay. Clar. Why then you must tell him positively you won't consent to it; and if he persists in so extravagant a design, tell him you'll never see him again as long as you live. Dian. Must I tell him so? 620 AIR. Ah! pr'ythee spare me, dearest creature! Shou'd I hear him implore me ; Cou'd I accuse him, Cou'd I refuse him The boon he shou'd ask? Set not a lover the cruel task No, believe me, my dear, Was he now standing here, In spite of my frights, and alarms, 630 easy SCENE X. CLARISSA. How to direct the conduct of others, how hard to regulate our own! I can give my friend advice, while I am conscious of the same indiscretions in myself. Yet is it criminal to know the most worthy, most amiable man in the world, and not to be insensible to his merit? But my father, the kindest, best of fathers, will he approve the choice I have made ? Nay, has he not made another choice for me? And, after all, how can I be sure that the man I love, loves me again? He never told me so: but his looks, his actions, his present anxiety sufficiently declare what his delicacy, his generosity, will not suffer him to utter. AIR. Ye gloomy thoughts, ye fears perverse, And scatter in the wind; Delusive phantoms, brood of night,, 'Tis done; I feel my soul releas'd : SCENE XI. Changes to a Side View of Sir JOHN FLOWERDALE'S House, with Gates, and a prospect of the Garden. HARMAN enters with Colonel OLDBOY. Col. Well, and how does my old friend Dick Rantum do? I have not seen him these twelve years: he was an honest worthy fellow as ever breathed; I remember he kept a girl in London, and was cursedly plagued by his wife's relations. 660 Har. Sir Richard was always a man of spirit, Colonel. Col. But as to this business of yours, which he tells me of in his letter-I don't see much in it-An affair with a citizen's daughter-pinked her brother in a duel-Is the fellow likely to die? Har. Why, Sir, we hope not; but as the matter is dubious, and will probably make some noise, I thought it was better to be for a little time out of the way; when hearing my case, Sir Richard Rantum mentioned you; he said, he was sure you would permit me to remain at your house for a few days, and offered me a recommendation. Col. And there's likely to be a brat in the case— And the girl's friends are in business-I'll tell you what will be the consequence then-They will be for going to law with you for a maintenance-but no matter, I'll take the affair in hand for you-make me your solicitor; and, if you are obliged to pay for a single spoonful of pap, I'll be content to father all the children in the Foundling Hospital. Har. You are very kind, Sir. 681 Col. But hold-hark you-you say there's money to be had-suppose you were to marry the wench? Har. Do you think, Sir, that would be so right after what has happened? Besides, there's a stronger objection-To tell you the truth, I am honourably in love in another place. Col. Oh! you are. 689 Har. Yes, Sir, but there are obstacles-A father -In short, Sir, the mistress of my heart lives in this very county, which makes even my present situation a little irksome. Col. In this county! Zounds! Then I am sure I am acquainted with her, and the first letter of her name is Har. Excuse me, Sir, I have some particular rea sons Col. But look who comes yonder-Ha! ha! ha! |