.

_Gian._ No, for the love of Heaven, let nobody hear of it. Quick! let
everything be settled before any one leaves this room. Quick, my dear
husband, come here; throw yourself at my father's feet, ask his pardon,
kiss his hand; and do you pardon him, receive him for a son-in-law and
for a son. Quick! hush! that no one may hear of it. [_She rapidly does
everything as she says it._]

_Phil._ [_Aside._] I am confounded; I know not what to say.

_Cost._ He has not the firmness to resist the sight of his ungrateful
daughter. [_Exit._

_De la Cot._ Have I your pardon, sir?

_Phil._ Do you think you deserve it?

_Gian._ For Heaven's sake, say no more! We must take care that nobody
shall know what has happened. My father is anxious to save the honour of
his family; and, above all things, I charge you never to urge in your
justification that he advised the scheme, and gave you five hundred
guineas to carry it into execution.

_Phil._ [_To_ Giannina, _with asperity._] I commanded you not to mention
it.

_Gian._ I was only informing my husband of your commands.

_Ric._ Well, Monsieur Philibert, are you reconciled?

_Phil._ What can I do? I am constrained by necessity, by affection, by
my own kind disposition, to be reconciled to them. You are husband and
wife, you are in my house, remain here, and may Heaven bless you!

_Gian._ Oh, perfect happiness!

_De la Cot._ I hope, sir, you will never repent of your pardon and
kindness to me.

_Mar._ Hush! quick! that nobody may know it.

_Phil._ What now?

_Mar._ Hush! quick! There is a little affair of mine to be finished.
Gascoigne is to be my husband, with the permission of our masters.

_Gas._ [_To his master._] By your leave, sir. [_Gives her his hand._]

_Mar._ Hush! quick! that nobody may know it.

_Gian._ Against your marriage nothing can be said; mine may be
condemned. I confess that I have exceeded the limits of duty, that I
have been wanting in respect to my father, and have exposed to hazard my
own honour and the reputation of my family. Those who now see me happy,
and not punished, must be cautious not to follow a bad example; let them
rather say it has pleased Heaven to mortify the father, and not that the
daughter is exempt from remorse and regret. Most kind spectators, let
the moral of this representation be a warning to families, and may
whatever enjoyment you derive from it be consistent with the principles
of duty and of virtue.

THE END