Page:The Clandestine Marriage (1766).djvu/96

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The CLANDESTINE MARRIAGE,

Ch. Maid. You're a monſtrous rake, Mr. Bruſh, and don't care what you ſay.

Bruſh. Why, for that matter, my dear, I am a little inclined to miſchief; and if you won't have pity upon me, I will break open that door and raviſh Mrs. Heidelberg.

Mrs. Heidel. [coming forward.] There's no bearing this—you profligate monſter!

Ch. Maid. Ha! I am undone!

Bruſh. Zounds! here ſhe is, by all that's monſtrous. [runs off.

Miſs Sterl. A fine diſcourſe you have had with that fellow!

Mrs. Heidel. And a fine time of night it is to be here with that drunken monſter.

Miſs Sterl. What have you, to ſay for yourſelf?

Ch. Maid. I can ſay nothing.—I am ſo frighten'd, and ſo aſham'd—but indeed I am vartuous—I am vartuous indeed.

Mrs. Heidel. Well, well—don't tremble ſo; but tell us what you know of this horrable plot here.

Miſs Sterl. We'll forgive you, if you'll diſcover all.

Ch. Maid. Why, Madam—don't let me betray my fellow ſervants—I ſhan't ſleep in my bed, if I do.

Mrs. Heidel. Then you ſhall ſleep ſomewhere elſe to-morrow night.

Ch. Maid. O dear!—what ſhall I do?

Mrs. Heidel. Tell us this moment,—or I'll turn you out of doors directly.

Ch. Maid. Why our butler has been treating us below in his pantry—Mr. Bruſh forc'd us to make a kind of a holiday night of it.

Miſs Sterl. Holiday! for what?

Ch. Maid. Nay I only made one.

Miſs Sterl. Well, well; but upon what account?

Ch. Maid. Becauſe, as how, Madam, there was a change in the family they ſaid,—that his honour, Sir John—was to marry Miſs Fanny inſtead of your Ladyſhip.

Miſs