real name, but one I'm known by. My name is Solomons. Mr Solomons, my dear, at your service. (Offering to salute her.) Miss Hard. Hold, sir; you were introducing me to your club, not to yourself. And you're so great a favourite there, you say?

Marl. Yes, my dear; there's Mrs Mantrap, lady Betty Black leg, the countess of Sligo, Mrs Longhorns, old Miss Biddy Buckskin, and your humble servant, keep up the spirit of the place. Miss Hard. Then it's a very merry place I suppose.

Marl. Yes, as merry as cards, suppers, wine, and old women. can make us.

Miss Hard. And their agreeable Rattle; ha ha! ha! Marl. (aside). Indeed! I don't quite like this chit. She lookknowing, methinks. (To her)- You laugh, child!

Miss Hard. I can't but laugh to think what time they all have for minding their work or their family.

Marl. (aside). All's well, she don't laugh at me. (To her)Do you ever work, child?

Miss Hard. Ay, sure. There's not a screen or a quilt in the whole house but what can bear witness to that.

Marl. Odso! Then you must show me your embroidery. I embroider, and draw patterns myself a little. If you want a judge of your work you must apply to me. (Seizing her hand.) Miss Hard. Ay, but the colours don't look well by candlelight. You shall see all in the morning.

(Struggling.) Marl. And why not now, my angel? Such beauty fires beyond the power of resistance - Pshaw! the father here! My old luck! I never nicked seven, that I did not throw ames-ace three times following. (Exit MARLOW.)

Enter HARDCASTLE, who stands in surprise.

Hard. So, madam! So I find this is your modest lover. This is your humble admirer, that kept his eyes fixed on the ground, and only adored at humble distance. Kate, Kate, art thou not ashamed to deceive your father so.

Miss Hard. Never trust me, dear papa, but he's still the modest man I first took him for; you'll be convinced of it as well as I.

Hard. By the hand of my body, I believe his impudence is infectious! Didn't I see him seize your hand? didn't I see him haul you about like a milk maid? and now you talk of his respect and his modesty, forsooth!

Miss Hard. But if I sh rtly convince you of his modesty; that he has only the faults that will pass off with time, and the virtues that will improve with age; I hope you'll forgive him.

Hard. The girl would actually make one run mad; I tell you.

I'll not be convinced. I am convinced. He has scarcely been three hours in the house, and he has already encroached on all my prerogatives. You may like his impudence, and call it modesty ; but my son-in-law, madam, must have very different qualifications. Miss Hard. Sir, I ask but this night to convince you.

Hard. You shall not have half the time; for I have thoughts of turning him out this very hour.

Miss Hard. Give me that hour, then, and I hope to satisfy you. Hard. Well, an hour let it be then. But I'll have no trifling with your father. All fair and open, do you mind me?

Miss Hard. I hope, sir, you have ever found that I considered your commands as my pride; for your kindness is such that my duty as yet has been inclination.

(Exeunt.)

ACT IV.

Enter HASTINGS and MISS NEVILLE.

Hast. You surprise me! Sir Charles Marlow expected here this night? Where have you had this information?

Miss Nev. You may depend upon it. I just saw his letter to Mr Hardcastle, in which he tells him he intends setting out a few hours after his son.

Hast. Then, my Constance, all must be completed before he arrives. He knows me; and should he find me here, would discover my name, and perhaps my designs, to the rest of the family.

Miss Nev. The jewels, I hope, are safe.

Hast. Yes, yes. I have sent them to Marlow, who keeps the keys of our baggage. In the meantime, I'll go to prepare matters for our elopement. I have had the squire's promise of a fresh pair of horses: and, if I should not see him again, will write him further directions.

(Exit.)

Miss Nev. Well! success attend you. In the mean time, I'll go amuse my aunt with the old pretence of a violent passion for my cousin. (Exit.)

Enter MARLOW, followed by a Servant.

Marl. I wonder, what Hastings could mean by sending me sc valuable a thing as a casket to keep for him, when he knows the only place I have, is the seat of a post-coach at an inn-door.Have you deposited the casket with the landlady, as I ordered you? Have you put it into her own hands?