Mrs. Heidel. Sir John Melvil is lock'd up in your daughter's bed-chamber.—There is the particular!
Sterl. The devil he is?—That's bad!
Miſs Sterl. And he has been there ſome time too.
Sterl. Ditto!
Mrs. Heidel. Ditto! worſe and worſe, I ſay. I'll raiſe the houſe, and expoſe him to my Lord, and the whole family.
Sterl. By no means! we ſhall expoſe ourſelves, ſiſter!—the beſt way is to inſure privately—let me alone!—I'll make him marry her to-morrow morning.
Miſs Sterl. Make him marry her! this is beyond all patience!—You have thrown away all your affection; and I ſhall do as much by my obedience: unnatural fathers, make unnatural children.—My revenge is in my own power, and I'll indulge it.—Had they made their eſcape, I ſhould have been expoſed to the deriſion of the world:—but the deriders ſhall be derided; and ſo—help! help, there! thieves! thieves!
Mrs. Heidel. Tit-for-tat, Betſey!—you are right, my girl.
Sterl. Zounds! you'll ſpoil all—you'll raiſe the whole family,—the devil's in the girl.
Mrs. Heidel. No, no; the devil's in you, brother. I am aſham'd of your principles.—What! would you connive at your daughter's being lock'd up with her ſiſter's huſband? Help! thieves! thieves! I ſay.
[cries out.
Sterl. Siſter, I beg you!—daughter, I command you.—If you have no regard for me, conſider yourſelves!—we ſhall loſe this opportunity of ennobling our blood, and getting above twenty per cent. for our money.
Miſs Sterl. What, by my diſgrace and my ſiſter's triumph! I have a ſpirit above ſuch mean conſiderations; and to ſhew you that it is not a low-bred, vulgar 'Change-Alley ſpirit—help! help! thieves! thieves! thieves! I ſay.
Sterl.
