Croaker.

I have told you, and tell you again, boy, that Miss Richland's fortune must not go out of the family; one may find comfort in the money, whatever one does in the wife.

Leontine.

But, Sir, though in obedience to your desire, I am ready to marry her; it may be possible she has no inclination to me.

Croaker.

I'll tell you once for all how it stands. A good part of Miss Richland's large fortune consists in a claim upon government, which my good friend, Mr. Lofty, assures me the treasury will allow. One half of this she is to forfeit, by her father's will, in case she refuses to marry you. So, if she rejects you, we seize half her fortune; if she accepts you, we seize the whole, and a fine girl into the bargain.

Leontine.

But, Sir, if you will but listen to reason

Croaker.

Come, then, produce your reasons. I tell you I'm fix'd, determined, so now produce your reasons. When I'm determined, I always listen to reason, because it can then do no harm.

Leontine.

You have alledged that a mutual choice was the first requisite in matrimonial happiness.

Croaker.

Well, and you have both of you a mutual choice. She has her choice to marry you, or lose half her fortune; and you have your choice to marry her, or pack out of doors without any fortune at all.

Leontine.

An only son, Sir, might expect more indulgence.

Croaker.

An only father, Sir, might expect more obedience; besides, has not your sister here, that never disobliged me in her life, as good a right as you? He's a sad dog, Livy, my dear, and would take all from you. But he shant't, I tell you he shan't, for you shall have your share.

Olivia.

Dear Sir, I wish you'd be convinced that I can never be happy in any addition to my fortune, which is taken from his.

Croaker.

Well, well, it's a good child, so say no more; but come with me, and we shall see something that will give us a great deal of pleasure, I promise you; old Ruggins, the curry-comb maker, lying in state; I'm told he makes a very handsome corpse, and becomes his coffin prodigiously. He was an intimate friend of mine, and these are friendly things we ought to do for -each other. [Exeunt.

OLIVIA

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE, CROAKER's House.

Miss RICHLAND, GARNET.

Miss Richland.

LIVIA not his sister? Olivia not Leontine's sister? You amaze me!

Garnet.

No more his sister than I am; I had it all from his own servant; I can get any thing from that quarter.

Miss Richland.

But how? Tell me again, Garnet.

Garnet.

Why, madam, as I told you before, instead of going to Lyons, to bring home his sister, who has been there with her aunt these ten years; he never went further than Paris; there he saw and fell in love with this young lady, by the bye, of a prodigious family.

Miss Richland.

And brought her home to my guardian, as his daughter?

Garnet.

Yes, and his daughter she will be. If he don't consent to their marriage, they talk of trying what a Scotch parson can do

Miss Richland.

Well, I own they have deceived me-And so demurely as Olivia carried it too!-Would you believe it, Garnet, I told her all my secrets; and yet the sly*

cheat concealed all this from me?

Garnet.

And, upon my word, madam, I don't much blame -her: she was loath to trust one with her secrets, that was so very bad at keeping her own.

Miss Richland.

But, to add to their deceit, the young gentleman, it seems, pretends to make me serious proposals. My guardian and he are to be here presently, to open the affair in form. You know I am to lose half my fortune if I refuse him.

Garnet.

Yet, what can you do? For being, as you are, in love with Mr. Honeywood, madam

Miss Richland.

How! idiot; what do you mean? In love with Mr. Honeywood! Is this to provoke me?

Garnet.

That is, madam, in friendship with him; I meant nothing more than friendship, as I hope to be married; nothing more.

Miss Richland.

Well, no more of this! As to my guardian, and his son, they shall find me prepared to receive them; I'm resolved to accept their proposal with seeming

pleasure, to mortify them by compliance, and so threw the refusal at last upon them.

Garnet.

Delicious! and that will secure your whole fortune to yourself. Well, who could have thought so inno, cent a face could cover so much cuteness!

Miss Richland.

Why girl, I only oppose my prudence to their cunning, and practise a lesson they have taught me against themselves.

Garnet.

Then you're likely not long to want employment, for here they come, and in close conference.

Enter CROAKER, LEONTINE.

Leontine.

Excuse me, Sir, if I seem to hesitate upon the point of putting to the lady so important a question.

Croaker.

Lord! good Sir, moderate your fears; you're so plaguy shy that one would think you had changed sexes. I tell you we must have the half or the whole. Come, let me see with what spirit you begin? Well, why don't you? Eh! What? Well then-I must, it seems-Miss Richland, my dear, I believe you guess at our business; an affair which my son here comes to open, that nearly concerns your happiness.

Miss Richland.

Sir, I should be ungrateful not to be pleased with any thing that comes recommended by you.