Flora, I resolve to make you my Confident.

Flor. I shall endeavour to discharge my Duty, Madam.

Isab. I doubt it not, and desire you to accept this as a Token of my Gratitude.

Flora. O dear Senjora, I shou'd have been your humble Servant, without a Fee.

Isab. I believe it—But to the Purpose—Do you think if you saw the Gentleman which brought me hither, you shou'd know him again?

Flor. From a Thousand, Madam, I have an excellent Memory where a handsome Man's concern'd; when he went away he said he would return again immediately, I admire he comes not.

Isab. Here, did you say? You rejoice me—Tho' I'll not see him, if he comes, cou'd not you contrive to give him a Letter?

Flor. With the Air of a Duenna.—

Isab. Not in this House—You must veil and follow him—He must not know it comes from me.

Flor. What, do you take me for a Novice in Love Affairs? Tho' I have not practis'd the Art since I have been in Donna Violante's Service, yet I have not lost the Theory of a Chamber-maid—Do you write the Letter, and leave the rest to me—Here, here, here's Pen, Ink and Paper.

Isab. I'll do't in a Minute.

[Sits down to write.

Flor. So! This is Business after my own Heart; Love always takes care to reward his Labourers, and Great Britain seems to be his Favourite Country—Oh, I long to see the t'other two Moydores with a British Air—Methinks there's a Grace peculiar to that Nation in making a Present.

Isab. So I have done, now if he does but find this House again!

Flor. If he shou'd not—I warrant I'll find him if he's in Lisbon.

[Puts the Letter into her Bosom.

Enter Violante.

Vio. Flora, watch my Papa; he's fast asleep in his Study—If you find him stir, give me Notice.—Hark, I hear Felix at the Window, admit him instantly, and then to your Post.

[Exit Flora.

Isab. What say you Violante? Is my Brother come?

Vio. It is his Signal at the Window.

Isab. (Kneels.) Oh! Violante, I conjure thee by all the love thou bear'st to Felix—By thy own generous Nature—Nay more, by that unspotted Vertue thou art Mistress of, do not discover to my Brother I am here.

Vio. Contrary to your Desire, be assur'd I never shall, but where's the Danger?

Isab. Art thou born in Lisbon, and ask that Question? He'll think his Honour blemish'd by my Disobedience, and wou'd restore me to my Father, or kill me, therefore dear, dear Girl.

Vio. Depend upon my Friendship, nothing shall draw thy Secret from these Lips, not even Felix, tho' at the Hazard of his Love; I hear him coming, retire into that Closet.

Isab. Remember Violante, upon thy Promise my very Life depends.

Vio. When I betray thee, may I share thy Fate.

Enter Flora with Felix.

Vio. My Felix. My everlasting Love. (runs into his Arms.)

Fel. My Life, my Soul! My Violante!

Vio. What Hazards dost thou run for me; Oh, how shall I requite thee?

Fel. If during this tedious painful Exile, thy Thoughts have never wander'd from thy Felix, thou hast made me more than Satisfaction.

Vio. Can there be room within this Heart for any but thyself. No, if the God of Love were lost to all the rest of Human Kind, thy Image wou'd secure him in my Breast, I am all Truth, all Love, all Faith, and know no jealous Fears.

Fel. My Heart's the proper Sphere where Love resides; cou'd he quit that, he wou'd be no where found: And yet Violante I'm in doubt.

Vio. Did I ever give thee Cause to doubt, my Felix.

Fel. True Love has many Fears, and Fear as many Eyes as Fame; yet sure I think they see no Fault in thee—What's that?

[The Colonel pats at the Window without.

Vio. What? I heard nothing.

[He pats again.

Fel. Ha! What means this Signal at your Window?

Vio. Some Body perhaps, in passing by, might accidentally hit it, it can be nothing else.

Col. (Within) Hist, hist, Donna Violante, Donna Violante.

Fel. They use your Name by Accident too, do they, Madam?

Enter Flora.

Flo. There is a Gentleman at the Window, Madam, which I fancy to be him who brought Isabella hither; shall I admit him? (Aside to Violante.)

Vio. Admit Distraction rather, thou art the Cause of this, unthinking Wretch! (Aside to Flora.)

Fel. What has Mistress Scout brought you fresh Intelligence? Death, I'll know the Bottom of this immediately! (offers to go.)

Flor. Scout, I scorn your Words, Senior.

Vio. Nay, nay, nay, nay, you must not leave me.

[runs and catches hold of him.

Fel. Oh! 'Tis not fair, not to answer the Gentleman, Madam. It is none of his Fault, that his Visit proves unseasonable; pray let me go, my Presence is but a Restraint upon you.

[struggles to get from her.

The Colonel pats again.

Vio. Was ever Accident so mischievous? (Aside.)

Flor. It must be the Colonel, now to deliver my Letter to him.

[Exit.

Fel. Hark, he grows impatient at your Delay—Why do you hold the Man, whose Absence wou'd oblige you, pray let me go, Madam; consider, the Gentleman wants you at the Window. Confusion! (struggles still.)

Vio. It is not me he wants.

Fel. Death, not you? Is there another of your Name in the House? But, come on, convince me of the Truth of what you say: Open the Window, if his Business does not lye with you, your Conversation may be heard—This, and only this, can take off my Suspicion—What, do you pause! Oh! Guilt! Guilt! Have I caught you, nay then I'll leap the Balcony. If I remember, this Way leads to it.

[breaks from her, and goes to the Door where Isabella is.

Vio. Oh Heavens! Whall shall I do now? Hold, hold, hold, hold, not for the World—You enter there—Which way shall I preserve his Sister from his Knowledge? (Aside.)

Fel. What, have I touch'd you; do you fear your Lover's Life?

Vio. I fear for none but you—for Goodness Sake, do not speak so loud my Felix. If my Father hear you I am lost for ever, that Door opens into his Apartment. What shall I do if he enters? There he finds his Sister—If he goes out he'll quarrel with the Stranger—Nay, do not struggle to be gone, my Felix.—If I open the Window he may discover the whole Intrigue, and yet of all Evils we ought to chuse the least. Your Curiosity shall be satisfied. Whoe'er you are that with such Insolence dare use my Name, and give the Neighbourhood Pretence to reflect upon my Conduct: I charge you instantly be gone, or expect the Treatment you deserve.

[goes to the Window, and throws up the Sash.

Col. I ask your Pardon, Madam, and will obey; but when I left this House to Night—

Fel. Good!

Vio. It is most certainly the Stranger, what will be the Event of this, Heaven knows. (Aside.) you are mistaken in the House I suppose, Sir.

Fel. No, no, he is not mistaken—Pray Madam let the Gentleman go on.

Vio. Wretched Misfortune, pray be gone Sir, I know of no Business you have here.

Col. I wish I did not know it neither—But this House contains my Soul, then can you blame my Body for hovering about it!

Fel. Excellent!

Vio. Distraction! He will infallibly discover Isabella. I tell you again you are mistaken; however, for your own Satisfaction, call To-morrow.

Fel. Matchless Impudence! An Assignation before my Face—No, he shall not live to meet your Wishes.

[Takes out a Pistol and goes towards the Window; she catches hold of him.

Vio. Ah! (Shrieks) Hold, I conjure you!

Col. To-morrow's an Age, Madam! May I not be admitted to Night?

Vio. If you be a Gentleman, I command your Absence. Unfortunate! What will my Stars do with me? (Aside.)

Col. I have done—Only this—Be careful of my Life, for it is in your keeping.

[Exit from the Window.

Fel. Pray observe the Gentleman's Request, Madam.

[Walking off from her.

Vio. I am all Confusion. (Aside.)

Fel. You are all Truth, all Love, all Faith; Oh! thou all Woman!—How have I been deceiv'd! S'Death, cou'd not you have impos'd upon me for this one Night? Cou'd neither my faithful Love, nor the Hazard I have run to see you, make me worthy to be cheated on?

Vio. Can I bear this from you? (Weeps.)

Fel. (Repeats) When I left this House to Night—to Night the Devil! Return so soon.

Vio. Oh Isabella! What hast thou involv'd me in! (Aside.)

Fel. (Repeats) This House contains my Soul.

Vio. Yet I resolve to keep the Secret. (Aside.)

Fel. (Repeats) Be careful of my Life, for 'tis in your keeping—Damnation!—How ugly she appears!

[Looking on her.

Vio. Do not look so sternly on me, but believe me, Felix, I have not injur'd you, nor am I false.

Fel. Not false, not injur'd me! O Violante, lost and abandon'd to thy Vice! Not false, Oh monstrous!

Vio. Indeed I am not—There is a Cause which I must not reveal—Oh think how far Honour can oblige your Sex—Then allow a Woman may be bound by the same Rule to keep a Secret.

Fel. Honour, what hast thou to do with Honour, thou that canst admit plurality of Lovers, a Secret? Ha, ha, ha, his Affairs are wondrous safe, who trusts his Secret to a Woman's keeping, but you need give yourself no Trouble about clearing this Point, Madam, for you are become so indifferent to me, that your Truth, and Falsehood are the same?

Vio. My Love!

[Offers to take his Hand.

Fel. My Torment!

[Turns from her.

Enter Flora.

Flo. So I have deliver'd my Letter to the Colonel, and receiv'd my Fee. (Aside) Madam, your Father bad me see what Noise that was—For Goodness sake, Sir, why do you speak so loud.

Fel. I understand my cue, Mistress, my Absence is necessary. I'll oblige you. (going)

Vio. Oh, let me undeceive you first!

[takes hold of him.

Fel. Impossible!

Vio. 'Tis very probable if I durst.

Fel. Durst! Ha, ha, ha, durst quotha.

Vio. But another Time I'll tell the all.

Fel. Nay, now or never.—

Vio. Now it cannot be.

Fel. Then it shall never be—Thou most ungrateful of thy Sex, farewel.

[Breaks from her and Exit.

Vio. Oh exquisite Tryal of my Friendship! Yet not even this, shall draw the Secret from me,

That I'll preserve, let Fortune frown, or smile,
And trust to Love, my Love to reconcile.

[Exit.

ACT III.

Enter Don Lopez.

Lop. Was ever Man thus plagu'd! Od'sheart, I cou'd swallow my Dagger for Madness; I know not what to think, sure Frederick had no Hand in her Escape—She must get out of the Window; and she could not do that without a Ladder; and who cou'd bring it her, but him? Ay, it must be so. The Dislike he shew'd to Don Guzman in our Discourse to Day, Confirms my Suspicion, and I will charge him home with it; sure Children were given me for a Curse! Why, what innumerable Misfortunes attend us Parents, when we have employ'd our whole Care to educate, and bring our Children up to Years of Maturity? Just when we expect to reap the Fruits of our Labour; a Man shall in the tinkling of a Bell, see one hang'd, and t'other whor'd.—This graceless Baggage—But I'll to Frederick immediately. I'll take the Alguazil with me, and search his House; and if I find her, I'll use her—by St. Anthony, I don't know how I'll use her.

[Exit.

The Scene changes to the Street.

Enter Colonel with Isabella's Letter in his Hand, and Gibby following.

Col. Well, tho' I cou'd not see my fair Incognita, Fortune, to make me amends, has flung another Intrigue in my way. Oh! How I love these pretty, kind, coming Females, that won't give a Man the Trouble of racking his Invention to deceive them.—Oh Portugal! Thou dear Garden of Pleasure—Where Love drops down his mellow Fruit, and every Bough bends to our Hands, and seems to cry come, Pull and Eat, how deliciously a Man lives here without Fear of the Stool of Repentance?—This Letter I receiv'd from a Lady in a Veil—Some Duenna! Some necessary Implement of Cupid? I suppose the Stile is frank and easy, I hope like her that writ it. (Reads) "Sir, I have seen your Person, and like it."—Very concise—"And if you'll meet me at five o'Clock in the Morning upon the Terriero de passa, half an Hours Conversation will let me into your Mind."—Ha, ha, ha, a philosophical Wench: This is the first Time I ever knew a Woman had any Business with the Mind of a Man. "If your Intellects answer your outward Appearance, the Adventure may not displease you. I expect you'll not attempt to see my Face, nor offer any thing unbecoming the Gentleman I take you for:"—Humph, the Gentleman she takes me for; I hope she takes me to be Flesh and Blood, and then I am sure I shall do nothing unbecoming a Gentleman. Well, if I must not see her Face, it shall go hard if I don't know where she lives.—Gibby.

Gib. Here, an lik yer Honour.

Col. Follow me at a good Distance, do you hear, Gibby?

Gib. In truth dee I, weel eneugh, Sir.

Col. I am to meet a Lady upon the Terreira de passa.

Gib. The Deel an mine Eye gin I kenn her, Sir.

Col. But you will when we come there, Sirrah.

Gib. Like eneugh, Sir; I have as sharp and Eyn tul a bony Lass, as ere a Lad in aw Scotland; and what mun I dee wi her, Sir?

Col. Why, if she and I part, you must watch her home, and bring me Word where she lives.

Gib. In troth sal I, Sir, gin the Deel tak her not.

Col. Come along then, 'tis pretty near the Time.—I like a Woman that rises early to pursue her Inclination.

Thus we improve the Pleasures of the Day,
Whilst tastless Mortals sleep their Time away.

[Exit.

Scene changes to Frederick's House.

Enter Inis and Lissardo.

Liss. Your Lady ran away, and you not know whither? Say you?

Inis. She never greatly car'd for me after finding you and me together; but you are very grave, methinks, Lissardo.

Liss. (Looking upon the Ring) Not at all—I have some Thoughts indeed of altering my Course of living; there is a critical Minute in every Man's Life, which, if he can but lay hold of, he may make his Fortune.

Inis. Ha! What, do I see a Diamond Ring! Where the Deuce had he that Ring? You have got a very pretty Ring there, Lissardo.

Liss. Ay, the Trifle is pretty enough—But the Lady which gave it me is a Bona Roba in Beauty, I assure you—

[Cocks his Hat and struts.

Inis. I can't bear this—The Lady! What Lady, pray?

Liss. Oh fy! There's a Question to ask a Gentleman.

Inis. A Gentleman! Why, the Fellow's spoil'd! is this your Love for me? Ungrateful Man, you'll break my Heart, so you will.

[Bursts into Tears.

Liss. You tender-hearted Fool.—

Inis. If I knew who gave you that Ring, I'd tear her Eyes out, so I wou'd.