CHARLOTTE. What gentleman do you mean? MANCHETTE. Mr Cafhlove, Madam. CHARLOTTE. Cafhlove? why he's engaged to Clariffa. MANCHETTE. He was, Madam. But he has heard of Sir Charles's intimacy there, and looks upon himself at liberty to throw himself at your ladyship's feet, if you'll permit him. CHARLOTTE. Pinum, what doft thou think of this? PINUM. Why, that this woman is a bawd; an infamous procurefs. CHARLOTTE. Pfhaw! but answer me! Can you think Cafhlove has fent this woman? But 'sdeath! why fhould I doubt! He, like me, has feen their base inconftancy, and wants like me to be reveng'd. What fhall I do? By heavens I'll fee him. MANCHETTE. Give him leave, Madam, to wait on you and breath his paffion at your feet. PINUM. Oh! defer it till to-morrow. CHAR. CHARLOTTE. No! I am determined to fee him now. I am refolv'd. CHARLOTTE. Oh! the sweet revenge!—to blaft the perfidious wretch's hopes of e'er re turning! PINUM. But, Madam CHARLOTTE. Peace, not another word.-I'm at home to none but Mr Cafhlove. PINUM. [exit. What pleasure she forms to herself in a scheme that will be her ruin, if not prevented. I will, in spite of all her threats fee Sir Charles, and keep out this Cafhlove, till Sir Charles fees her, I cannot think him false; if not, he'll foon be able to convince her of his innocency, his very looks will discover it. For looks, alone, can paint that passion well, They speak much more than any tongue can tell. [exit. SCENE SCENE.-Mrs. WORTHY'S HOUSE. Enter Mrs. Wortby and Clarissa. CLARISSA. Indeed, Madam, I have no regret at quitting London. To me fome little retir'd house, and peaceful walks, have charms tranfcending glittering fhew and noise. Rich drefs and gaudy epuipage, in my eye, can't match the native beauties of a rural scene. Mrs. WORTHY. I know thee good, I know thou fay'st all this to foften what I feel.-I, that have now no tafte for gaities, may truly fay, that pleafing folitude's my only wish. But thou, my dearest Clary; my fmiling comfort; thou to be torn for ever from thy youthful pleasures, from affluence to scanty living! 'Tis this afflicts me moft.-This house and furniture, and our few jowels, are all we now poffefs; and whether thefe may be our own, I'm not affured. This letter fays my laft bill has not been answer'd; if fo, what have we not to fear? CLARISSA. Dear Madam, let not fuch things alarm you, I dare fay, that bill is paid. Mrs. WORTHY. I believe it is; but the fhip being loft, and no no accounts to fhow, what may be the confequence, as we are in fuch hands, I tremble to conjecture; his letter plainly fhews what his intentions are. CLARISSA. Remember, Madam, what you told me of his love. Not lefs fincere though told in plainest words; you faid it was his way, and that letter, which appears fo fhocking, was not meant so. Mrs. WORTHY. Read it, child, and speak your thoughts. "Madam, I have received an account, that the "ship, with all your wealth, was loft in a form "off Malaga: I thought to have taken your "daughter and forty thousand pounds from your "hands; but as that is rendered impoffible by "this misfortune, I hold myfelf free from all engagements with her. "I am, Madam, "Your humble fervant, SOLOMON CASHLOVÉ. « P.S. I shall wait on you to-morrow morning, with my accounts; I am forry to inform you that your laft draught, of two hundred "pounds, has not been anfwered. I have feve"ral urgent demands on me for money at prefent; fo I beg I may find you at home; you know the way of trade too well to fail me." Mrs. WORTHY. G Mrs. WORTHY. Well, child, what's your opinion now? Indeed, it is a cutting letter! And how you bear it with a mind fo patient, I wonder and admire! What do you intend to do? Should you not confult fome friend? I think the man who could write fuch a letter, fhould not be trusted. Mrs. WORTHY. I think fo too. I intend to get Sir Charles Friendly's advice; his friendship will affift us all I was just going to fend for you, Sir Charles. SIR CHARLES. I'm glad that trouble's fav'd.- Is not Mifs Charlotte here? Mrs. WORTHY. Sir Charles, our pardon, Charlotte's indifpofed and can't be here, I fhould have fent you word, |