my life, but spare that young gentleman, spare my child, if you have any mercy. HARDCASTLE. My wife! as I'm a christian. From whence can she come? or what does she mean. Mrs. HARDCASTLE. (Kneeling.) Take compassion on us, good Mr. Highwayman. Take our money, our watches, all we have, but spare our lives. We will never bring you to justice, indeed we won't, good Mr. High wayman. HARDCASTLE. I believe the woman's out of her senses. What, Dorothy, don't know me? you Mrs. HARDCASTLE. Mr. Hardcastle, as I'm alive! My fears blinded me. But who, my dear, could have expected to meet you here, in this frightful place, so far from home? What has brought you to follow us? HARDCASTLE. Sure, Dorothy, you have not lost your wits? So far from home, when you are within forty yards of your own door. (To him.) This is one of your old tricks, you graceless rogue you. (To her) Don't you know the gate, and the mulberry-tree; and don't you remember the horse-pond, my dear? F f VOL. II. Mrs. HARDCASTLE. Yes, I shall remember the horsepond as long as I live; I have caught my death in it. (To Tony) And is it to you, you graceless variet, I owe all this? I'll teach you to abuse your mother, I will. TONY. Ecod, mother, all the parish says you have spoil'd and so you may take the fruits on't. me, Mrs. HARDCASTLE. I'll spoil you, I will. [Follows him off the stage. HARDCASTLE. Exit. There's morality, however, in his reply. [Exit. Enter HASTINGS and Miss NEVILLE. HASTINGS. My dear Constance, why will you deliberate thus. If we delay a moment, all is lost for ever. Pluck up a little resolution, and we shall soon be out of the reach of her malignity. Miss NEVILLE. I find it impossible. My spirits are so sunk with the agitations I have suffered, that I am unable to face any new danger. Two or three years patience will at last crown us with happiness. HASTINGS. HASTINGS. Such a tedious delay is worse than inconstancy. Let us fly, my charmer. from this very moment. Let us date our happiness content will encrease what we possess beyond a moLet me prevail ! narch's revenue. Miss NEVILLE. No, Mr. Hastings; no. Prudence once more comes to my relief, and I will obey its dictates. In the moment of passion fortune may be despised, but it ever produces a lasting repentance. I'm resolved to apply to Mr. Hardcastle's compassion and justice for redress. HASTINGS. But though he had the will, he has not the power to relieve you. Miss NEVILLE. But he has influence, and upon that I am resolved to rely. HASTINGS. I have no hopes. But since you persist, I must reluctantly obey you. [Exeunt. F f 2 SCENE |