know that that I-no-this gentleman-I mean this gentleman and I-He got a little behind hand, as every honest, well principled man often may, from-bad harvests and rains-lodging corn-and his cattle from murrain, and-rot the murrain! you know this is the way all this affair happened (to Banks) and then up steps this gentleman (to Twitch) with a-a tip in his way-madam, you understand? And then in steps I-with my aIn short, madam, I am the worst story teller in the world where myself is the hero of the tale.

Twitch. Mr. Banks has been arrested for thirty pounds, and this gentleman has paid twenty guineas of the debt.

Banks. My litigious neighbour to expose me

thus !

Lady Am. The young man and maiden within, have spoken well of thy sister, and pictured thee as a man of irreproachable morals though unfortunate.

Rover. Madam, he's the honestest fellow-I've known him above forty years, he has the best hand at stirring a fire-If you was only to taste his

currant wine.

Banks. Madam, I never aspired to an enviable rank in life: but hitherto pride and prudence kept me above the reach of pity: but obligations from a stranger

Lady Am. He really a stranger, and attempt to free thee? But, friend (to Rover) thou hast assumed a right which here belongeth alone to me. As I enjoy the blessings which these lands produce, I own also the heart-delighting privilege of dispensing those blessings to the wretched. Thou mad'st thyself my worldly banker, and no cash of mine in thine hands (takes a note from a pocket book), but thus I balance our account (offers it).

Rover. "Madam, my master pays me, nor can "I take money from another hand without injuring his honour and disobeying his com"mands."

"Run, run, Orlando, carve on every tree "The fair, the chaste, the unexpressive she."

[Runs off. Banks. But, Sir, I insist you'll return him his money (to Twitch). Stop! (Going).

Twitch. Ay, stop! (holds the skirt of his coat.)
Lady Am. Where dwelleth he?

Banks. I fancy, where he can, Madam. I understand, from his discourse, that he was on his way to join a company of actors in the next town.

Lady Am. A profane stage-player with such a gentle, generous heart! Yet so whimsically wild, like the unconscious rose, modestly shrinking from the recollection of its own grace and sweetness.

Enter JANE from the House, more drest.

Jane. Now, my Lady, I'm fit to attend your ladyship. I look so genteelish, mayhap her ladyship may take me home with her.

Lady Am. This maiden may find out for me whither he goeth. (Aside) Call on my steward, and thy legal demands shall be satisfied.

[To Twitch. Jane. Here, coachman, drive up my lady's chariot, nearer to our door. (Calls off) Charott. If she'd take me with her, la! how all the folks will stare. (Aside) Madam, tho' the roads are so very dusty, I'll walk all the way on foot to your ladyship's house-ay, tho' I should spoil my bran new petticoat.

Lady Am. Rather than sully thy garment, thou shalt be seated by me.

Jane. Oh, your ladyship!-Ecod, if I didn't think so-(aside).

Enter SIM.

Here, you Sim, order the charott for us.

Sim. Us! Come, come, Jane, I've the little tilt cart to carry you.

Jane. Cart!

Lady Am. Friend, be cheerful; thine and thy sister's sorrows shall be but an April shower. [Exeunt severally.

SCENE II. Before an Inn. Enter ROVER and
WAITER.

Rover. Hillo! friend, when does the coach set out for London?

Waiter. In about an hour, Sir.

Rover. Has the Winchester coach passed?
Waiter. No, Sir.

my

[Exit.

Rover. That's lucky! Then my trunk is here still. Go I will not. Since I've lost the fellowship of friend Dick, I'll travel no more, I'll try a London audience, who knows but I may get an engagement. This celestial lady quaker! She must be rich, and ridiculous for such a poor dog as I am, even to think of her. How Dick would laugh at me if he knew--I dare say by this she has released my kind host from the gripe--I should like to be certain, tho'.

Enter LANDLORD.

Landl. You'll dine here, Sir? I'm honest Bob Johnstone; kept the Sun these twenty years. Excellent dinner on table at two.

Rover. "Yet my love indeed is appetite, I'm as hungry as the sea, and can digest as much."

Landl. Then you won't do for my shilling ordinary, Sir, there's a very good ordinary at the Saracen's head, at the end of the town. Shouldn't have thought, indeed, hungry foot travellers to eat like-coming, Sir.

[Exit. Rover. I'll not join this company at Winchester. No, I'll not stay in the country hopeless, even to expect a look (except of scorn) from this lady, I will take a touch at a London theatre. The public there are candid and generous, and before my merit can have time to create enemies, I'll save money, and,--“ a fig for the Sultan and Sophy."

Enter JANE at the back, and SIM watching her. Jane. Ay, that's he!

Rover. But if I fall, by heaven I'll overwhelm the manager, his empire, and--" himself in one prodigious ruin.”

Jane. Ruin! Oh lord! (runs back.)

Sim. What can you expect when you follow young men? I've dodged you all the way. Jane. Well! wasn't I sent?

Sim. Oh yes, you were sent-very likely. Who sent you?

Jane. It was--I won't tell it's my lady, 'cause she bid me not (aside).

Sim. I'll keep you from sheame-a fine life I should have in the parish, rare fleering, if a sister of moine should stand some Sunday at church, in a white sheet, and to all their flouts what could I say?

Rover. Thus, "I say my sister's wrong'd, my "sister Blowsabella, born as high and noble as the "attorney-do her justice, or, by the gods, I'll lay "a scene of blood, shall make this haymow horri"ble to Beebles."-" Say that, Chamont."

Sim. I believe it's full moon. You go hoame to your place, and moind your business.

Jane. My lady will be so pleased I found him! I don't wonder at it, he's such a fine spoken man! Sim. Dang it! Will you stand here grinning at the wild bucks. You saucy slut, to keep me and the cart there waiting for you at the end of the lane.

Jane. Never mind him, Sir; it's because my lady gave me a ride in her coach that makes the boy so angry.

Rover. "Then you are Kastril, the angry boy?" Sim. So was the prime minister till he got himself shaved.

Jane. Perhaps the gentleman might wish to send her ladyship a compliment. An't please you, Sir, if it's even a kiss between us two, it shall go safe; for, though you should give it me, brother Sim then can take it to my lady.

Rover. "I kiss'd thee e'er I kill'd thee."
Jane. Kill me!

Rover. "No way but this killing myself to die upon a kiss!" (advancing.)

Sim. (interposing) And you walk home, my forward miss. (mimicks.)

Rover. "I've heard of your painting too: you gig, you lisp, you amble, and nickname God's "creatures."

Sim. Why, who told you she call'd me an ass? Rover. "Oh that the town clerk was here to "write thee down an ass! but though not written "down in black and white, remember thou'rt an "ass."

"

Jane. Yes, Sir; I'll remember it.

Sim. Go! (to Jane-puts her out.)

Rover. "Ay; to a nunnery go to." I'm cursedly out of spirits; but hang sorrow, I may as well