uneasiness; yes, I think, in the main, I am too goodnatur'd truly.

Bonc. Well, Sir George, let the effects this scheme of your's produces upon my children be the test of our principles.

Sir Geo. Content.

Enter YOUNG BONCOUR.

Young Bonc. My father! oh, Sir, I have heard such news! heaven forbid there should be the least shadow or colour of truth in it.

Sir Geo. Why, sure, Sir, it can't surprise you to hear your father is ruin'd, when you have been endeavouring by a long course of extravagance to bring it about?

Young Bonc. Sir, I can ill bear jesting on this subject: if the indulgence of my father has allowed the inadvertency of my youth to bring this misfortune on him, the agonies of all my future days will not sufficiently punish me for it.

Bonc. Do you hear that, brother?

Sir Geo. I would not have you take it so much to heart neither, since your own ruin will not be absolutely included in your father's; you have a certain reversion of the estate, by the marriage settlement, upon which you may still raise money for your own subsistence; and I do not suppose you mad enough to give up your right to that, in order to enable your father to preserve himself, by cutting off the entail.

Young Bonc. How! is it in my power to preserve

him?

Sir Geo. Yes, in that way you may, but in no other.

Young Bonc. Send for a lawyer this moment: let him point out the method: if there were no other way my blood should sign the deed. O, my father, believe me,

I am blest to give you this trifling instance of my duty, of my affection!

Bonc. My child! O, brother, I can scarce support it.

Young Bonc. I'll this instant to my lawyer; I am impatient till it be done; justice, gratitude, duty to the best of fathers, will not let me rest till it is accomplish'd. [Exit.

Bonc. Well, Sir George, what think you now? Sir Geo. Think! why I think he has smelt out the trick, and has artfully contriv'd this cheap method of appearing meritorious in your eyes.

Bonc. Oh, brother, that is too severe a censure; the feeling that he shewed, the warmth, the earnestness with which he expressed himself, could never be assumed by one not accustomed to dissemble.

Sir Geo. Well, if that be the case, all I can say is, that you have damn'd good luck in having a son whose natural disposition was so good, that all the pains you have taken, have not been able to spoil him entirely; but who have we here?

Enter SIR GREGORY.

Sir Greg. [entering.] Pshaw! at home indeed! plague on thee; dost think I want to ask whether a man's at home when I see him at the window? neighbour Boncour, how fares it?-what, Sir George!

Bonc. Is it possible! Sir Gregory Kennel in town.

Sir Greg. That question hath been ask'd by every one I have seen since I have been here: why should it not be as possible for us country gentlemen to come to town, as for you town gentlemen to come into the country? I don't know whether you are glad to see us here, but we should be glad to see some of you there a little oft'ner.

Bonc. I hope you left all well, there, Sir Gregory?

Sir Greg. Yes; I left the tenants very well; and they give their humble service to you, would be very glad of your company to spend a little of your money amongst them.

Bonc. But how does your family, Sir Gregory? how does my godson do?

Sir Greg. Why, the squire is very well; I was bringing him to see you; but I taught un to travel, I think, and so ecod, at the corner of one of the streets, he travell'd off, and left me in the lurch: you have no need to be asham'd of your godson, I can tell you; he is a fine gentleman: I suppose you have heard he has made the tour of Europe, as he calls it.

is

Bonc. Not I, truly.

Sir Greg. But, pray, Sir George, what do you think

my

business in town?

Sir Geo. Faith, I can't tell-To sell oxen, I suppose.

Sir Greg. No; not that entirely; though I have some cattle with me too.-Pray guess again.

Sir Geo. To see my Lord Mayor's show, perhaps.

Sir Greg. No, no; I don't love shows. Well, then, since you can't tell, I'll tell you; to get a good wife for my son; for though the boy hath seen all Europe, till a man hath married his son, he han't discharged his duty -then he hath done all in his power.

Sir Geo. Ay, ay, his wife will do the rest.

Enter MISS BONCOUR.

Miss Bonc. Sir, when you are at leisure, I shall be happy to speak with you.

Bonc. Presently, my dear.-Sir Gregory Kennel-a very old friend of mine.-My daughter, Sir Gregory.

Sir Greg. A brave lass, faith! by your leave, Madam;

why that's well; you are in the right not to be shy to me, for I have had you in my arms before now.

Bonc. And her brother, too, Sir Gregory.

Sir Greg. Ay, so I have, and truly for the matter we were talking of, since I see what I see, I don't care for going any farther; what say you, neighbour Boncour? you know my estate, and I know your's, you have seen my son, and I see your daughter; what say you to a match between them?

Bonc. My daughter, Sir Gregory, will be the properest person to ask.

Sir Greg. Not at all; what signifies asking a person a question, when you know before-hand what will be the answer; especially when you know that answer to be a false one- -No, no, the boy shall ask her, and then they will lie to one another; for if she swears she does not love him, he'll swear he'll love her for ever, and that is as good a one.

Bonc. Sir Gregory, I am sensible of the honour you propose me, but shall neither force nor oppose her inclination.

Miss Bonc. I find he hath not heard our story. [Aside. Sir Greg. Well, my little Gilliflower, since I am to ask thee, what would it say to a hearty, healthy, goodhumour'd young dog, that would love thee till thy heart ached?

Miss Bonc. Sir; I don't understand you.

Sir Greg. O lud, there is a————

Miss Bonc. Hold, Sir, no rudeness; when I am properly ask'd, I shall know how to answer.

[Exit. Sir Greg. That is, when she is ask'd by the young fellow; that, I suppose, is properly ask'd.

Sir Geo. 'Tis an alliance on no account to be lostwell, Sir Gregory, I hope my niece gave you a satisfactory answer.

Sir Greg. The same answer that a lawyer or physician could give who were attack'd without a fee.

Sir Geo. What's that?

Sir Greg. That they were not properly ask'd; but here will be the proper person himself presently; he who knows where to find me.

Bonc. In the mean time, Sir Gregory, what say you to a bottle of Burgundy?

Sir Greg. I shall like a bottle of any thing very well, for I have not drank a single drop this whole hour. Bonc. I am ready to wait on you.

Sir Greg. Wait on me! pr'ythee get out and shew me the way; a plague of ceremony.

[Exeunt.

ACT V.-SCENE I.

SCENE, a Room in VALENCE's House.

Enter YOUNG BONCOUR and MISS VALENCE.

MISS VALENCE.

AND SO you have promised to resign your right of inheritance in the estate to your father?

Young Bonc. I have, Madam.

Miss Val. Then you have done like a fool; and deserve to be pointed at as such.

Young Bonc. How, Madam? would you have me insensibly and quietly sit down, and see my father ruin'd?

Miss Val. Ay, fifty fathers, rather than part with my prospect of a fortune.

Young Bonc. Does this agree with those professions of filial duty I have heard from Miss Valence?