acquiring nobility or magnificence can ever make him forego and these he thinks his money will purchase. You know too your aunt's, Mr Heidelbergs' notions of the splendour of high life, her contempt for every thing that does es not relish of what she calls quality, and that from the vast fortune in her hands, by her late husband, she absolutely governs Mr Sterling and the whole family; now, if they should come to the knowledge of this affair too abruptly, they might, perhaps be incensed beyond all hopes of reconciliation. Fan. But if they are made acquainted with it otherwise than by ourselves, it will be ten times worse; and a discovery grows every day more probable. The whole family have long suspected our affection. We are also in the power of a foolish maid servant; and if we may even depend on her fidelity, we cannot answer for her discretion. -Discover it therefore immediately, lest some accident should bring it to light, and involve us in additional disgiace. Love. Well-Well I meant to discover it soon, but would not do it too p precipitately.I have more than once sounded Mr Sterling about it, and will attempt him more seriously the next opportunity? But my principal hopes are these.My relationship to lord Ogleby, and his having placed me with your father, have been, you know, the first links in the chain of this connection between the two families; in conse quence of which, I am at present in high favour with all parties while they all remain thus well effected to me, I propose to lay our case before the old lord; And if I can prevail on him to meditate in this affair, I make no doubt but he will be able to appease jour father; and, being a lord and a man of quality, I am sure he may bring Mrs Heidelberg into good-humour at any time. Let me beg you, therefore, to have but a little patience, as you see, we are upon the very eve of discovery, that must probably be to our advantage. Fan. Manage it your own way. I am persuaded. . Fan As easy as I can, I will. We had better not remain together any longer at present. Think of this business, and let me know how you proceed. Love. Depend on my care! but, pray, be chearful. Fan. I will. As he is going out, Enter STERLing. [Exit. Ster. Ah, Lovewell!, what! always getting my foolish girl yonder into a corner-well-well-let us but once see her elder sister fast married to Sir John Melvil, we'll soon provide a good husband for Fanny, I warrant you. Love Wou'd to heaven, sir, you would provide her one of my recommendation! Ster. Yourself? eh, Lovewell! Love. With your pleasure, sir! Love. And later myself, that such a proposal would not be very disagreeable to Miss Fanry. Stør. Better a d battei ! Love. And if I could but obtain your consent, sir! Ster. What you marry Fanny !-no-no ——that will never do, Lovewell!You're a good boy to be sureI bave a great value for u-but can't think of you for a son-in-law. There's no stuff in the case; no money, Lovewell! Love. My pretensions to fortune, indeed, are but moderate: but th not equal to splendour, sufficient to keep us above dis essAdd to which, that I hope by diligence to increase it and have love, honour Ster. But not the stuff, Lovewell! Add one Little found o to the sum total of your fortune, and that will be the finest thing you can say to me. -You know I've a regard for you-would do any thing to serve you-any thing on the footing of friendship-but Love. If you think me worthy of your friendship, sir, be assured, that there is no instance in which I should rate your friendship so highly. Ster. Psha! psha! that's another thing, you know.-Where money or interest is concerned, friendship is quite out of the question. Love. But where the happiness of a daughter is at stake, you wou'd not scruple, sure, to sacrifice a little to her inclinations. Ster Ster, Inclinations! why, you wou'd not persuade me that the girl is in love with you-ch, Lovewcll! Love. I cannot absolutely answer for Miss Fanny, sir; but am sure that the chief happiness or misery of my life depends entirely upon her.; Ster. Why, indeed, now, if your kinsman, lord Ogleby, would come down handsomely for you-but that's impossible-no, no-'twill never do—1 must hear no more of this-Come, Lovewell, promise me that I shall hear no more of this. Love, hesitating. I am afraid, sir, I shou'd not be able to keep my word with you, If I did promise you. Ster. Why, you wou'd not offer to marry her without my consent! wou'd you, Lovewell? Love. Marry her, sir! [Confused.] Ster. Ay marry her, sir!--I know yery well that a warm speech or two from such a dangerous young spark, as you are, will go much farther towards persuading a silly girl to do what she has more than a month's mind to do, than twenty grave lectures from fathers or mothers, or uncles, or aunts, to prevent her- But you wou'd not, sure, be such a base fellow, such a treacherous young rogue, as to seduce my daughter's affections, and destroy the peace of my fa mily in that manner. I must insist on it, that you give me your word not to marry her without my consent. Love, Sir-II-as to that-I-I--I beg sir-Pray, sir, excuse me on this subject at present, Ster. Promise then, that you will carry further without my approbation. this matter no Love. You may depend on it, sir, that it shall go no further. Ster. Well-well-that's enough-I'll take care of the rest, I wariant you.. -Come, come, let's have done with this nonsense?what's doingin town?any news upon 'change? Love. Nothing material. Ster. Have you seen the currants, the scap, and Madeira, safe in the warehouses? have you compared the goods with the envoice and bills of lading, and are they all right? Love. They are, sir ? Ster. And how are stocks? Love. Fell one and half this morning, Ster. Well-well-some good news from America, and they'll be up again,-But how lord Oleby and sir John Melvil? when are you to expect them? Love. Very soon, sir! I came on purpose to bring you their commands. Here are letters from both of them: [Giving letters. Sterl, Let me see-let me see-'slife, how his lordships Jetter is perfumed! it takes my breath away.[opening it. And French paper too! with a fine border of flowers and flourishes-and a slippery gloss on it that dazzles one's eyes. My dear Mr Sterling [reading.Mercy on me! his lordship writes a worse hand than a boy at his exercise. But how's this?-eh!-with you to-night-[reading.] -Lawyers to-morrow morning.-To-night that's sudden indeed. Where's my sister Heidleberg? she wou'd know of this immedia ely.Here John! Harry! Thowas! [calling the servants.] Hark ye, Lovewell! Love. Sir! Ster. Mind now, how I'll entertain his lordship and sir John We'll shew your fellows at the other end of the town how we live in the cityThey shall eat gold-and drink gold-and lie in gold Here! cook, butler! [Calling. What signifies your birth and education, and titles? Money, money, that's the stuff that makes the great man in this country. Love. Very true, Sir! Sier. True sir? Why then, have done with your nonsense of love and matrimony. You're not rich enough to think of a wife yet. A man of business should mind nothing but his business.- Where are these fellows? John! Thomas! [Calling.-Get an estate, and a wife will fol low of course.Ah! Lovewell! an English merchant is the most respectable character in the universe. 'Slife, man, a rich English merchant may make himself a match for the daughter of a Nabob.Where are all my rascals? cre, William! [Exit calling. LOVEWELL alone: So!-As I suspected Quite averse to the match, and kely to receive the news of it with great displeasure. What's best to be done?Let me see!-Suppose I get sir John Melvil to interest himself in this affair. He may men. tion tion it to lo ford Ogleby with 4 be ter grace than I can, and more probably prevail on him to interfere in it. I can open my mind also more freely to sir John. He told me, when I left him in town, that he had something of consequence to communicate, and that I could be of use to him. I am glad of it: for the confidence he reposes in me, and the e service may do him, w will ensure me his good offices. Poor Fauny! it hurts me to see her so uneasy, and her making a mystery of the cause adds to my anxiety.-Something must be done upon her account, for at all events, her solicitude shall be removed. ་་ -Scene changes to another Chamber. Dow ara fgod bioH 1920 yı Son Enter Mifs STERLING, and Mifs FANNY. Miss Ster. Oh, my dear sister, say no more! This is downright hypocricy. You shall never convince me that you don't envy me beyond measure.—Well, after all it is extremely natural-It is impossible to be angry with you. have no G Fan. Indeed, sister, youretende. not to envy me? Miss Ster. And you really pre Fan. Not in in the least, da Thurs sis Miss Ster. And you don't in the least wish that you was just in my situation? Fan. No, indeed, I don't. Why should I? Miss Ster. Why should you?-what! on the brink of marriage, fortune, title-But I had forgot.-There's that dear sweet creature Mr Lovewell in the case.-You would not break your faith with your true love now for the world, 1 warrant you. Fan. Mr Lovewell-always Mr Lovewell!--Lord, what signifies Mr Lovewell, Sister? Miss Ster. Pretty peevish soul!--Oh, my dear, grave, romantic sister!a perfect philosopher in petticoats!--love and a cottage!-eh, Fanny !-ah, give me indifference and a coach and six ! Fan. And why not the coach and six without the indifference? But, pray, when is this happy marriage of your's to be celebrated?--I long to give you joy. Miss Ster. In a day or two-I can't tell exactly.- -Oh. my dear sister!I must mortify her a little. [dside.”— A 5 know |