e, cease them.

Mrs. ANDREWS. [Going off.] This is too much; ungrateful,
faithless woman! [She goes off.]

Lady BELMOUR. This treatment may hereafter serve her much.
Even the meanest with the highest vie:
Their manners as their fashions vainly aping,
As might provoke the sourest spleen to laughter. [Exit.]

SCENE V.

An inn on Cornhill near Mr. ANDREWS's house

MARIA to the HOSTESS.

MARIA. Madam, a ticket from this inn informs me,
That some one in the house has wish'd to see me.

HOSTESS. A person in a common peasant's habit,
Came here some moments since and sent for you,
Upon some pressing business, as he told me.

MARIA. Is he here now?

HOSTESS. He is; I'll shew the room. [They go off.]

SCENE VI.

Changes to a back room.

Lord BELMOUR in the habit of a countryman, and MARIA.

Lord BELMOUR. Am I not well disguis'd?

MARIA. Lord Belmour!--Wondrous!
You might have pass'd me twenty times unknown.
But pray, my lord, the purpose of this meeting?

Lord BELMOUR. First say, how fares it with your lovely mistress?

MARIA. Her present troubles are beyond expression.
Oh! her distress is great.

Lord BELMOUR. I'm on the rack.
My fortune, life, my all's at her command.
Unfold yourself, if you regard my peace.

MARIA. Know then, her very ill success at play,
(Which has of late ev'n all conception pass'd)
Hath led her to use means, and such assistance,
That she some honourable claims might answer,
As otherwise she would have shudder'd at.
And many a tale has reach'd her husband's ear.

Lord BELMOUR. As I could wish. [Aside.] Unmerited ill fortune!

MARIA. Oh! but this is not all.

Lord BELMOUR. 'Tis, 'tis too much.
Yet would I know the whole, that I may fly
On expedition's wing to her relief.--
Speak on.--

MARIA. I cannot.

Lord BELMOUR. Torture me no further.

MARIA. Alas! my master cruelly hath charg'd her,
(How shall I name it!) with indecent conduct;
But chiefly, sir, with you.

Lord BELMOUR. Most fortunate!
This will outrun whole years of fond entreaty--[Aside]
Ungen'rous, false accuser! thus to treat
The loveliest of her sex; but first, Maria,
We must relieve her from her