Squire Sul. Nor at all-fours?

Sir Chas. Neither.

Squire Sul. [aside]. ’Oons! where was this man bred?— [Aloud.] Burn me, sir! I can’t go home, ’tis but two o’clock.

Sir Chas. For half an hour, sir, if you please; but you must consider ’tis late.

Squire Sul. Late! that’s the reason I can’t go to bed.— Come, sir!

[Exeunt.

Enter Cherry, runs across the stage, and knocks at Aimwell’s chamber door. Enter Aimwell in his nightcap and gown.

Aim. What’s the matter? you tremble, child; you’re frighted.

Cher. No wonder, sir—But, in short, sir, this very minute a gang of rogues are gone to rob my Lady Bountiful’s house.

Aim. How!

Cher. I dogged ’em to the very door, and left ’em breaking in

Aim. Have you alarmed anybody else with the news?

Cher. No, no, sir, I wanted to have discovered the whole plot, and twenty other things, to your man Martin; but I have searched the whole house, and can’t find him: where is he?

Aim. No matter, child; will you guide me immediately to the house?

Cher. With all my heart, sir; my Lady Bountiful is my godmother, and I love Mrs. Dorinda so well—

Aim. Dorinda! the name inspires me, the glory and the danger shall be all my own.—Come, my life, let me but get my sword.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.—A Bedchamber in Lady Bountiful’s House

Mrs. Sullen and Dorinda discovered undressed; a table and lights.

Dor. ’Tis very late, sister, no news of your spouse yet?

Mrs. Sul. No, I’m condemned to be alone till towards four, and then perhaps I may be executed with his company.

Dor. Well, my dear, I’ll leave you to your rest; you’ll go directly to bed, I suppose?

Mrs. Sul. I don’t know what to do.—Heigh-ho!

Dor. That’s a desiring sigh, sister.

Mrs. Sul. This is a languishing hour, sister.

Dor. And might prove a critical minute if the pretty fellow were here.