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grayhound; he didn't wait for me to take
his portrait. He got up at that window, a young man, to be sure-but
and I'll swear he didn't get down again,
so here he must be. [Walks up and round
the room, and looks under sofa and table.

Phebe. Why then, sir, there is a sort of

Phebe. It is a pity, Mr. Pry, you have no business of your own to employ you. Ay, that's right, look about here. You had better search for him in my young lady's reticule. [Snatches reticule from

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Hardy. You abominable person! how dare you open my daughter's room door? [Throwing him round by collar.

Pry. If there's no one concealed there, why object?

Hardy. True, if there's no one concealed there, why object?

Phebe. I wonder, sir, you allow of such an insinuation. [Places herself at the door. No one shall enter this room; we stand here upon our honor; and if you suspect my young lady's, what is to become of mine, I should like to know?

Pry. Can't possibly say; but I would advise you to look after it, for I protestthere he is.

Hardy. [Endeavoring to suppress his anger.] Sir, you are impertinent. It cannot be, and I desire you will quit my house. Simon! [Goes up to the door.

Enter SIMON.

Simon; open the door for Mr. Pry. Phebe. Simon; you are to open the door for Mr. Pry.

Pry. Oh! I dare say Simon hears. I wish you good morning-I expected to be asked to dinner for this at least-this is the most mysterious-I say, Simon!

[Exit, whispering SIMON.

Hardy. [Who has taken a brace of pistols from a case in the table.] I would not have him appear in the presence of that busy fool; but now, whoever he is, he shall answer this outrage to me.

Eliza. Oh, 'pa, for heaven's sake, I'll tell you the truth.

Phebe. Yes, sir, we will tell you. [Aside.] What shall I say?

Hardy. Tell me at once, hussy-is there a man in the room?

Hardy. But what?

Phebe. But don't be angry, for he is the prettiest little fellow you ever saw.

Hardy. A little fellow? A man is concealed in my house, and because he happens not to be the Irish giant, I must not be angry. Oh! that my nephew, Frank, were at home: but I'm still young enough

to

Phebe. Stay, sir, stay-[Aside.] Any thing to gain time, and prevent murder. You have guessed it, it is your nephew, Mr. Frank.

Hardy. What, Frank? my boy, Frank? Phebe. Yes, sir, arrived a week earlier than was expected. We, Miss Eliza and I, sir-we were in the secret, and had planned a little surprise for you, but that eternal Mr. Pry spoiled it.

Hardy. [Places pistols on the table.] Oh, you wicked little rebels, to cause me all this uneasiness-but let me see the dear boy-let me

Phebe. Stop, sir, I'll just inform him that

Hardy. Don't detain me an instant. [Going towards the door.] What, Frank, come to your old uncle, you dog; why zounds! what is he at now? scarcely is he in at one window, but he is preparing to jump out at another.

[Exit.

Eliza. Phebe, what have you done? my 'pa must soon detect the imposture, and then

Phebe. Lord, Miss, what would have been the consequence if the Colonel, in that storming passion, and with pistols in his hand, had been told the truth. We may yet get your Harry safe out of the house, and then-hush!

Enter HARDY, pulling in HARRY STAN

LEY.

Hardy. Come, Frank, an end to this foolery. Phebe has explained it all to me: I'm devilish glad to see you, and that is worth all the surprises in the world.

Harry. Sir-I-what is the meaning of this?

Phebe. We have told your unexpected arrival, Mr. Frank Hardy.

Harry, [Aside.] Oho! my uncle; 'gad, then, I'll soon make myself one of the family. [Shakes hands very heartily with HARDY.

Hardy. But let me look at you, you rogue; I have not seen you since you were a mere urchin. As Phebe says, he is a pretty little fellow. But I say, Frank, you don't take after the family. Your father was a tall man: all tall men in our family.

Harry. Why, I am not positively a giant, uncle; but what does that signify? Nelson was a little fellow like myself-so not an inch taller will I grow.

Hardy. Ah, ha, you are a wag. But tell me Frank, when you found yourself pursued, and in danger of a drubbing from my servants, why didn't you at once discover yourself to be my nephew?

Harry. Eh-to say the truth, that never once occurred to me.

Hardy. Well, your secret was in good hands with the girls. I was in a thundering passion to be sure your poor cousin has scarcely yet recovered from her agitation,

Harry. Ah, sir, I know not how I shall atone to my cousin for the embarrassment my thoughtlessness has occasioned her.

Eliza. I'll never, never forgive you. Hardy. What's that I hear? when I have forgiven his wild sailor prank, how dare any body Go, Frank, give your cousin a kiss, or I'll storm the house about your ears.

Harry Not through any disobedience of mine, uncle.

[Crosses, and kisses ELIZA.

Eliza. Ha' done, Mr. Stan-ha' done, cousin, that will do. [Aside.] I'm glad he is obedient to 'pa, though.

Phebe. [Wiping her lips. My master is right, since he is satisfied, there is no reason why any one else should be angry.

Harry. And you too, my pretty Phebe: your lips are as full of forgiveness as mine are of repentance, I'll answer for it. [Kisses PHEBE.]

Hardy. Come, come, Frank, you are forgiven. [Aside.] I must look close after the young dog, or I foresee we shall have him asking pardon of all the maids in the house. Now, Frank-[Frank crosses to HARDY.] I have news for you. Eliza is soon to be married.

Harry. Married, sir?

Hardy. Married, ay, married. I was resolved to defer the ceremony till your return. So now you are here

Harry. That was very kind; and whenever Eliza marries, you may be sure I will

be at the wedding. And pray, sir, who is the happy man?

Hardy. What is that to you? I know, and that is sufficient for all parties.

Harry. Certainly, sir! but pray, does my cousin love him?

Hardy. No, but she may if she likes. I'm not one of those tyrannical fathers who would control the affections of their children. No, no, I leave my daughter sole mistress of her inclinations; free either to love her husband, or to leave it alone, as she thinks best.

Harry. How indulgent a parent. Now, suppose, sir, I should object to your arrangement? nt?

Hardy. You object, you jackanapes! Harkee, it is rather the soonest for you and I to quarrel-now, that we may remain friends, you will please to recollect, that although I am willing to listen to reason, argument, and advice, it must proceed from those who have the good sense to be exactly of my way of thinking. But, if any one dare contradict or oppose me, Íno-I am not like my poor friend Witherton, I am lord, master, and sovereign arbıter in my own family.

Harry. To ELIZA, aside.] Then our only hope is the yellow post-chaise. Hardy. But come, Frank, your flying leaps must have given you an appetite; so follow me and take a snack. Harry. I'll follow you, sir.

[Exit HARDY.

My dear Phebe, what could induce you to risk such an imposition upon the Colonel? we cannot long escape detection.

Phebe. As you said, sir, when you came in at the window, "Any port in a storm." And such a storm as we should have had if you had been abruptly discovered in your own character

Harry. Well, here I am installed as your cousin: it will be very pleasant as long as it lasts; but I fear we shall pay dearly for it in the end.

Eliza. I tremble to think of the consequences. Harry, what colour did you say was Mr. Doubledot's post-chaise?

Harry. The prettiest runaway colour imaginable-will you go and look at it? Phebe. Nonsense, nonsense, we must do nothing rash. Your cousin, the real Mr. Frank Hardy, will not be here for a week, so we have plenty of time for consideration. Why, I declare, here is Mr. Pry again! [PRY appears at the door.

Pry. There he is. A most extraordinary which was in leisure for deliberation, decircumstance. The letter is a good excuse for my return. [Aside.

Eliza. Why he is making signs at me. Harry. The devil he is; he shall answer that to me. What do you want, sir? Pry. Nothing.

Harry. Lookye, Mr. Scout. I owe you a round dozen for sailing in chase of me this morning: now, explain the signals you were hanging out to my own dear little to my cousin, Miss Hardy-or

Pry. Your cousin? So then you are the nephew from sea, after all. My dear sir, you are welcome to England.

Harry. Come, sir, no evasion; explain -or overboard you go.

Pointing to the window.

Pry. Holloa! well, this comes of doing a civil thing.

Harry. Come, come, sir, be quick, or you'll find me as good as my word.

Pry. There then, since you will have it. -[Gives ELIZA a letter. I intended to give it to you mysteriously; but hang me if I ever do a good natured thing again.

Eliza. [Looking at it.] There was no need of mystery, sir. [TO HARRY.] It is from my cousin Frank but-how came this letter in your possession? It ought to have been delivered by the postman.

Pry. No matter-I am always in the

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brought it to you.

Phebe. Where the deuce was the civility of your doing what the postman must have done?

Pry. Where? why he had his rounds to go; so that Miss Eliza would have her letter five minutes earlier than by waiting for him, if it had not slipped my memory for a week.

Eliza. [Who has been reading the letter.] Heavens! it is all over with us, Phebe; my cousin Frank will really be here today. This letter was to apprise us of his arrival a week sooner than we expected. Phebe. There! now is our only hope,

stroyed and through his interference again. If he had not kept that letter in his pocket for a week, we should have been prepared for your cousin's arrival; and our present difficulty, at least, would have been prevented.

Enter SIMON.

Simon. [TO HARRY.] My master waits for you, sir, and is growing impatient. Harry. I'll come. Let us go to the Colonel. I'll devise some excuse for leaving him intercept Frank on his way

hither enlist him in our cause-and then

throw ourselves on your father's mercy.

Phebe. I wish you joy of his mercy when he discovers the trick we have played him.

Eliza. Mr. Pry, if you did but knowPhebe. [Interrupting her.] Nothing.Simon, Mr. Pry is waiting till you open the door for him again.

Harry. And Mr. Pry may consider himself fortunate [Pointing to the window, that I have not spared you that trouble, Simon.

[Exeunt HARRY, ELIZA and PHEBE.] Pry. Well, I have done my utmost to serve this worthy family; and all I have gained by it is-So, Simon, the young spark turns out to be your master's nephew, after all?

Simon. [Pointing off.] Now, sir, if you please.

Pry. He intends that as a hint, I suppose. Well, that letter appeared to perplex them. I shan't be able to rest till I have come to the rights of it. Ecod! I'll go down to Doubledot's, and just inquire whether he happens to know any thing about it. [Exit SIMON and PRY.

END OF ACT II.

ACT III.

SCENE I.-A Room at DOUBLEDOT'S.PAUL PRY discovered, dangling a newspaper, and at intervals, during his speech, he examines the books and different articles about the room.

Pry. Well, Doubledot does not return. Out, out, from morning till night. What can he have to do out? No wonder the Green Dragon carries all before it but if men won't attend to their business.[Counts a score.] Two and twenty. Upon

my life, it is very discreditable to run
such a score at a public house:-who can
it be? marked with an S-s. I'll lay my
life it is Mrs. Sims-that woman owes
money at every shop in the village.

DOUBLEDOT speaks without.
Doub. This way, sir, if you please.
Pry. Oh, at last. A traveller with him
-I wonder who he is.

Enter DOUBLEDOT and FRANK HARDY.

Doub. [Very obsequiously at first, but gradually relaxing in his civility.] This way, sir-will you please to take any thing after your journey?

Frank. No, nothing.

Doub. Will you order your dinner now,

sir?

Frank. I shall not dine here. Let my luggage be brought into the house, and remain here for the present. [Sits at table.

Doub. Ah! a precious customer. A glass of water and a tooth-pick. [Aside. Pry. I say, Doubledot-a good quantity of luggage for one person. He is alone. Do you happen to know who he is?

Double. No-but you very soon will.

I'll answer for it.

[Exit.

Frank. Now to proceed to my old uncle's. After an absence of so many years, I shall scarcely be recognized by him. As for Eliza, who was a mere child

at the period of my departure

Pleasant

Pry. [Who has seated himself at table
and taken up a newspaper.]
journey, sir?

Frank. Very pleasant, sir.
Pry. From London, sir?
Frank. No, sir.

Fry. O, not from London.

in these parts, sir?

Stay long

Frank. Quite uncertain, sir. A tolerably

inquisitive fellow, this.

Frank. What, his nephew, Frank Hardy? Pry. The same. I saw him with my own eyes. Come in a very odd way too. [Aside.] The intelligence appears to perplex him.

Frank. [Aside.] What can this mean? a person there assuming my name! doubtless some piece of roguery is intended, which my timely arrival may prevent. I'll find some future pretence for visiting the family as a stranger, and observe what is going forward before I declare myself. Pry. [Aside] An adventurer?

Frank. The Colonel, I believe, sir, enjoys a reputation for hospitality. Do you imagine he would refuse the visit of a stranger?-a gentleman travelling for his pleasure, who wishes to be favoured with a view of his grounds-his pictures. Pry. [Hesitating.] No, sir.- [Aside.] A travelling gentleman-the case is clear.

Frank. There is no time to be lost, sir. I must be plain with you. It is my intention to pay Colonel Hardy a visit; the object of that visit is important, and that it may succeed, the utmost secrecy and caution are requisite.

Pry. Indeed. [Aside.] Very cool, upon my word.

Frank. To use your own expression, "beg pardon if I am mistaken"-[Shaking his cane at Pry]--but you appear to me to be one of those good-natured, inquisitive,

officious persons, who abound in such
places as this. Now if you mention to
any soul breathing that you have seen me,
you may have cause to repent your indis-
cretion.
[Exit.

Pry. Sir, yours. Not the shadow of a doubt what sort of a gentleman he is. Yet he looks like a gentleman--but what of that? every pickpocket now-a-days is described as a youth of prepossesssing appearance, and every disorderly woman

Pry. [Aside.] Shy-don't like him-taken before a magistrate, is sure to be something mysterious about him. I am young and interesting. Now, what ought determined to find out who he is.-Beg I to do in this case? I have to interfere par lon, sir, if I'm not mistaken your

name is a

Frank. You are right, sir, Snooks. Now, sir, allow me to ask you a question. Is it far hence to Colonel Hardy's?

Pry. Oh, you know him. Do you happen to know his nephew, who has just come from sea?

Frank. Come-coming, you mean. Pry. Come, I tell you. He arrived this morning.

with other people's business. Yet, in a

matter like this-I'll take a short cut to

the house beforehand with the travelling
gentleman, put the Colonel on his guard,
and for once force him to acknowledge
the value of my service.
[Exit.

SCENE II.- At HARDY's. -Same as in Act
II. - Enter HARDY, MARIAN, and
WILLIS.

Hardy. What! marry his housekeeper! long carried on against me. Mrs. Subtle, to see her before he positively rejects her. presuming on her strong influence over Should this be the case, and he fall in Mr. Witherton, scoffed at his menaces, your way, pray do you humour his indared him to do his worst, and defied him cognito, for no doubt he has adopted one, to the proof of his accusation, till Grasp and detain him till my arrival, which hinting at certain letters which unknown will speedily follow your receipt of this." to her he had preserved, she instantly Ah, this is very pretty, but what right moderated her haughty tone, promised has any man to come and look at my compliance with any arrangement he daughter: to take her, or leave her, as he might propose, and once more I believe they are friends.

marry mother Subtle! The old fool! The old dotard! Oh, that I were his father for one quarter of an hour, that I might enjoy the paternal gratification of breaking every bone in his body.

Willis. Fortunately the evil is not yet accomplished, and your interference may prevent it.

Hardy. But how did you learn this? Willis. My suspicions long existing of such an intention, were confirmed by a desperate altercation between Grasp and Mrs. Subtle, which I have just had the good fortune to overhear. Grasp having detected her schemes upon my uncle, and enraged at her duplicity towards himself, threatened, even at the peril of his own ruin, to expose the intrigues she had so

maid, should see you here together, I would not give you five minutes purchase for your secret.

Marian. We will act implicitly by your advice, sir.

Hardy. Do so, and I will yet blow all Mrs. Subtle's schemes-no matter where. [Exit MARIAN and WILLIS.] Now just let me look at old Stanley's letter again, before I communicate its contents to my nephew. [Reads.] "My boy Harry, who is a hair-brained, harem-scarem fellow, mounted horse, and galloped away, the moment I mentioned a wife for him of my choosing. He has been met on the road towards your place, and I suspect that, notwithstanding our secrecy, he has discovered who the girl is, and has a mind

Hardy. Friends! accomplices you mean. But let me see, what's to be done? First do you return, both of you, and

Marian. I wish that could be avoided. Mrs. Subtle already assumes the mistress, and has expressed her determination to dismiss me, and

Hardy. That will do. You shall take her at her word. You shall remain concealed here for awhile; egad, and so shall you, Somers.

Willis. To what purpose, sir? Hardy. Leave it to me. 'Tis here, 'tis here [Striking his forehead.] Go in my study; there you will be free from observation: no one dares go there without my leave. I'll come to you presently, and dictate a letter you shall send to Witherton, which, if it does not bring him to his senses, he is incorrigible.

Willis. How shall we thank you for the interest you take in our behalf?

Hardy. By leaving me to myself for a few minutes. I have my hands full of business already. Here is a letter I have just received from an old friend, relative to a runaway son of his! then there's my nephew, Frank, who is returned. But go, go-if my daughter, or her chattering

would a horse? My Lizzy is a wife for an emperor; I know it, that's enough, and I won't allow any man to-[Calls out of window.] Here, you Fra Frank, I want you-[FRANK within.] - Coming sir! Coming sir, then why the devil don't you come. There, he is, tied to the woman's apron strings. Hang me, if I have been able to keep him with me, during three consecutive quarters of a minute since he has been here.

Enter HARRY STANLEY, ELIZA and PHEBE, hanging on each arm.

Harry. Did you call me, sir?

Hardy. Yes, but I didn't call all three of you. Yet here you go about with your heads together, like three conspirators, as if you were hatching another gunpowder treason.

Harry. Can you be surprised at my preferring the company of my dear, little -cousin, to yours, sir? But what have you to say to me, sir?

Hardy. Something that touches the honour of us all. Yours, yours-and [To PHEBE.] even yours, if you have any respect for your mistress.

Harry. [Aside.] Am I discovered? Hardy. I have reason to believe that a certain person is in this neighberhood,

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