The Constant Couple Part 21

_Lady L._ Ha! you lent it him for that purpose!

_Colonel S._ Yes, yes, madam, I lent it him for that purpose----No denying it--I know it well, for I have worn it long, and desire it now, madam, to restore it to the just owner.

_Lady L._ The just owner! Think, sir, think but of what importance 'tis to own it: if you have love and honour in your soul, 'tis then most justly yours; if not, you are a robber, and have stolen it basely.

_Colonel S._ Ha! your words, like meeting flints, have struck a light, to show me something strange----But tell me instantly, is not your real name Manly?

_Lady L._ Answer me first: did not you receive this ring about twelve years ago?

_Colonel S._ I did.

_Lady L._ And were not you about that time entertained two nights at the house of Sir Oliver Manly, in Oxfords.h.i.+re?

_Colonel S._ I was! I was! [_Runs to her, and embraces her._] The blest remembrance fires my soul with transport----I know the rest----you are the charming she, and I the happy man.

_Lady L._ How has blind fortune stumbled on the right? But where have you wandered since?--'Twas cruel to forsake me.

_Colonel S._ The particulars of my fortune are too tedious now: but to discharge myself from the stain of dishonour, I must tell you, that immediately upon my return to the university, my elder brother and I quarrelled: my father, to prevent farther mischief, posts me away to travel: I wrote to you from London, but fear the letter came not to your hands.

_Lady L._ I never had the least account of you by letter, or otherwise.

_Colonel S._ Three years I lived abroad, and at my return, found you were gone out of the kingdom, though none could tell me whither: missing you thus, I went to Flanders, served my king till the peace commenced; then fortunately going on board at Amsterdam, one s.h.i.+p transported us both to England. At the first sight I loved, though ignorant of the hidden cause----You may remember, madam, that, talking once of marriage, I told you I was engaged--to your dear self I meant.

_Lady L._ Then men are still most generous and brave--and, to reward your truth, an estate of three thousand pounds a year waits your acceptance; and, if I can satisfy you in my past conduct, I shall expect the honourable performance of your promise, and that you will stay with me in England.

_Colonel S._ Stay--Nor fame, nor glory e'er shall part us more. My honour can be no where more concerned than here.

_Enter_ SIR H. WILDAIR _and_ ANGELICA.

Oh, Sir Harry! Fortune has acted miracles to-day: the story's strange and tedious, but all amounts to this--that woman's mind is charming as her person, and I am made a convert too to beauty.

_Sir H._ I wanted only this, to make my pleasure perfect.

_Enter_ SMUGGLER.

_Smug._ So, gentlemen and ladies, I'm glad to find you so merry; is my gracious nephew among ye?

_Sir H._ Sir, he dares not show his face among such honourable company; for your gracious nephew is--

_Smug._ What, sir? Have a care what you say.

_Sir H._ A villain, sir.

_Smug._ With all my heart. I'll pardon you the beating me, for that very word. And pray, Sir Harry, when you see him next, tell him this news from me, that I have disinherited him--that I will leave him as poor as a disbanded quarter-master.--Oh, Sir Harry, he is as hypocritical----

_Lady L._ As yourself, Mr. Alderman. How fares my good old nurse, pray, sir?----Come, Mr. Alderman, for once let a woman advise:--Would you be thought an honest man, banish covetousness, that worst gout of age: avarice is a poor pilfering quality, of the soul, and will, as certainly cheat, as a thief would steal. Would you be thought a reformer of the times, be less severe in your censures, less rigid in your precepts, and more strict in your example.

_Sir H._ Right, madam, virtue flows freer from imitation than compulsion; of which, colonel, your conversion and mine, are just examples.

In vain are musty morals taught in schools, By rigid teachers, and as rigid rules, Where virtue with a frowning aspect stands, And frights the pupil from its rough commands But woman---- Charming woman can true converts make, We love the precept for the teacher's sake.

Virtue in them appears so bright, so gay, We hear with transport, and with pride obey. [_Exeunt omnes._