tation by yielding to the solicitations of one she thought her friend

Mrs. Dash. How, madam!-Endanger her reputation ?

Dor. My dear, do you think of what you are saying? Mrs. Dash. [Aside.] Intolerable impertinence!Well, then, that you may judge fairly of it, I'll relate the story at length, and give you the names of the parties. Mr. Dorrington shall decide.

Dor. [Hastily.] I assure you, madam, my judgment is worth nothing in such matters.

Mrs. Dor. [Pressing her hand.] Cruel woman !

Mrs. Dash. [To her.] Well-I am sensible of the embarrassment my visit has occasioned; and, in kindness to you, I will retire.-Mr. Dorrington, I came to solicit, not your vote and interest for the county, but your more indulgent report of a lady of whom you, personally, know nothing-my friend, Mrs. Mortimer; to extort it from you by reminding you that indulgence is sometimes required by the most exemplary of husbands-[to her] -and the most obedient of wives.

Dor. Madam

Mrs. Dash. Interrupting him.] Leave the task of censuring women, even when most they deserve it, to women: it is woman's work, and cannot be entrusted to more industrious hands, believe me. But to you we fly for mercy towards our failings, as confidentially as for the protection of our persons.-Adieu !-Whatever else may be the demerits of my friend, pray allow her, for my sake, the praise of moderation, indulgence, and— secresy.

[Exit MRS. DASHMORE, DORRINGTON bowing

her out.

Mrs. Dor. [To FORRESTER.] Thank Heaven, she is gone! How dearly have I paid for one slight digression from my duty! To relieve my mind of further anxiety, I will at once avow the whole to Mr. Dorrington.

For. No, no; you are now in no danger of a discovery, and I am persuaded you will never again venture so to offend. To confess, therefore, would be needlessly to provoke his anger.

Mrs. Dor. No matter; I must.

Dor. I'm in a fever: my pulse is beating two hundred and fifty, at least. If this it is to deceive one's wife, I pity those who make a practice of it: the pain is greater than the pleasure.-Come, my dear, we talked about a

drive into the country: let us begone. [To FORRESTER.] I sha'n't be happy, till, by a full confession, I have cleared my conscience. Stand by me, Bob.

Mrs. Dor. Dorrington, I have to tell you, that last night, after you left home

Dor. Don't reproach me, my love; for I was preparing to confess all to you. It is evident, that Mrs. Dashmore's visit has excited your suspicions. She is an acquaintance of Forrester's; and the truth is, it was at her house I passed the evening. But there was no further harm in it, I assure you.

Mrs. Dor. But that is not what I wish to speak about; I

Dor. Ah! I perceived you doubted the details of the story I told you this morning. I'll confess every thing: the pudding-headed underwriter, who won my money, was a pretty black-eyed widow-but there was no further harm in that, as Forrester will witness.

Mrs. Dor. But that is not all: if you would but

Dor. Well then, my dear, I'll tell you. In the thoughtless moments of gaiety, I certainly did undertake to instruct Sir George Faddle in the conduct of a little intrigue. But I can't help laughing-the lady proved to be no other than

For. [Interrupting him.] That is my secret, and must not be divulged. Come, come; I own myself to blame for Dorrington's offence: 'twas I who misled him. Give him your hand, in token of rdon, and let us drop the subject.

Dor. [Takes her hand, and kisses it.] If you but knew how bitter has been my repentance!-But now I am a happy man again.

Mrs. Dor. Now listen to me.

Dor. Hearkee, my love. I have made a full confession; you have pardoned me; so no lecturing, no sermonizing: I can't bear that, you know; and if you say another word about last night, you may, possibly,

make me angry.

For. [Aside.] Nothing more likely.

Enter a Servant. He gives a letter to FORRESTER, and exit.

Ha! From Sir George Faddle. Let me see.-Dorrington, I give you joy. [Whispering MRS. DORRINGTON, and giving her the letter.] Here is something pleasant for you, too.

Mrs. Dor. [Reads.] 'Dear Forrester, let me be the first to congratulate Commissioner Dorrington on his appointment. My intercession was needless. A decision had already been given in favour of his qualifications.'

Dor. Huzza!-'Ecod, I wanted something to counterbalance my tribulation.

Mrs. Dor. [Reads.] 'Apologise for my abrupt departure. I leave town instantly, and am thereby deprived of the honour of an introduction to Mrs. Dorrington." -That's well.

Dor. I am sorry for that: you'd have liked him amazingly, my dear.

6

Mrs. Dor. [Reads.] Doubtless, you will see the lady whom I had the misfortune to offend. Convey to her my most humble apologies, together with my solemn assurance, that her name shall never be compromised by your friend, George Faddle.'

Dor. [To her.] Spite of Forrester's injunction, I'll tell you all about that, by and bye! "Tis a devilish comical story.

Mrs. Dor, By and bye I'll tell you something. [To FORRESTER.] By confessing my indiscretion, and in, my turn, imploring pardon, alone can I silence the reproaches of my own heart. [To the audience.] You already possess my secret; but so far from considering you among the number of our UNWELCOME VISITORS, it is from your indulgence we hope a happy conclusion to our TRIBULATION.

THE END.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY THOMAS DOLBY, CATHERINE-STREET, STRAND.