Lady Town. My brother! quickly, Mr. Smirk, into this closet; you must not be seen yet.

[He goes into the closet.

Enter OLD BELLAIR and Lady TOWNLEY’S Page.

O. Bell. Desire Mr. Fourbes to walk into the lower parlour, I will be with him presently. [To YOUNG BELLAIR.] Where have you been, sir, you could not wait on me to-day?

Y. Bell. About a business.

O. Bell. Are you so good at business? Adod, I have a business too you shall despatch out of hand, sir. Send for a parson, sister; my Lady Woodvil and her daughter are coming.

Lady Town. What need you huddle up things thus!

O. Bell. Out a pise! youth is apt to play the fool, and ’tis not good it should be in their power.

Lady Town. You need not fear your son.

O. Bell. He’s been idling this morning, and, adod, I do not like him. [To EMILIA.] How dost thou do, sweetheart?

Emil. You are very severe, sir; married in such haste.

O. Bell. Go to, thou’rt a rogue, and I will talk with thee anon. Here’s my Lady Woodvil come.

Enter Lady WOODVIL, HARRIET, and BUSY. Welcome, madam; Mr. Fourbes is below with the writings.

Lady Wood. Let us down, and make an end then.

O. Bell. Sister, show the way. [To YOUNG BELLAIR, who is talking to HARRIET.] Harry, your business lies not there yet; excuse him till we have done, lady, and then, adod, he shall be for thee. Mr. Medley, we must trouble you to be a witness.

Med. I luckily came for that purpose, sir.

[Exeunt OLD BELLAIR, MEDLEY, YOUNG BELLAIR, Lady TOWNLEY, and Lady WOODVIL.

Busy. What will you do, madam?

Har. Be carried back and mewed up in the country again, run away here, anything rather than be married to a man I do not care for—Dear Emilia, do thou advise me.

Emil. Mr. Bellair is engaged you know.

Har. I do; but know not what the fear of losing an estate may fright him to.

Emil. In the desperate condition you are in you should consult with some judicious man; what think you of Mr. Dorimant?

Har. I do not think of him at all.

Busy. She thinks of nothing else, I am sure.

Emil. How found your mother was of Mr. Courtage!