Capt. B. Prefers her! Ah! you sly rogue! [Laying his Hand on Rustic's Shoulder. Rust. Your honour's a wag; but I'm sure I meant no harm. Capt. B. Give her the money, and tell her she shall never want a friend; but not a word to my brother. Rust. All's safe, your honour. [Exit Captain Belville] I don't vastly like this business. At the captain's age, this violent charity is a little duberous. I am his honour's servant, and it's my duty to hide nothing from him. I'll go seek his honour; Õ, here he comes. Enter BELVILLE. Bel. Well, Rustic, have you any intelligence to communicate? Rust. A vast deal, sir. Your brother begins to make good use of his money; he has given me these five guineas for myself, and this purse for Rosina. Bel. For Rosina! "Tis plain he loves her. [Aside] Obey him exactly; but as distress renders the mind haughty, and Rosina's situation requires the utmost delicacy, contrive to execute your commission in such a manner that she may not even suspect from whence the money comes. Rust. I understand your honour. Bel. Have you gain'd any intelligence in respect to Rosina? Rust. I endeavour'd to get all I could from the old woman's grand daughter; but all she knew was, that she was no kin to Dorcas, and that she had had a good bringing-up; but here are the labourers. Enter DORCAS, ROSINA, and PHÆBE. Bel. But I don't see Rosina. Dorcas, you must come too, and Phœbe. Dor. We can't deny your honour. Ros. I am asham'd; but you command, sir. This is Nature's holiday. Cho. Capt. B. Blushing Bell, with downcast eyes, Taste our pleasures ye who may, Will. He is fond, and she is shy; By and by she'll follow thee. Phœ. 1 Irish. Lads and lasses, all advance, Cho. Trip it lightly while you may, This is Nature's holiday. [All rise; the Dancers come down the Stage through the Sheaves of Corn, which are removed; the Dance begins, and finishes the Act. 1 B Rust. This purse is the plague of my life; I hate money when it is not my own. I'll e'en put in the five guineas he gave me for myself: I don't want it, and they do. They certainly must find it there. But I hear the cottage-door open. [Retires a little. Enter DORCAS and ROSINA from the Cottage. DORCAS with a great Basket on her Arm, filled with Skeins of Thread. Dor. I am just going, Rosina, to carry this thread to the weaver's. Ros. This basket is too heavy for you: pray let me carry it. [Takes the Basket from Dorcas, and sets it down on the Bench. Dor. No, no. [Peevishly. Ros. If you love me, only take half; this evening, or to-morrow morning, I will carry the rest.- [Takes Part of the Skeins out of the Basket and lays them on the Bench, looking affectionately on Dorcas] There, be angry with me if you please. Dor. No, my sweet lamb, Iam not angry; but beware of men. Ros. Have you any doubts of my conduct, Dorcas? Dor. Indeed I have not, love; and yet I am uneasy. Enter CAPTAIN BELVILLE, unperceived. Go back to the reapers, whilst I carry this thread. Dor. But as I walk but slow, and 'tis a good way, you may chance to be at home before me; so take the key. Ros. I will. Capt. B. [Aside, while Dorcas feels in her Pockets for the Key] Rosina to be at home before Dorcas! How Jucky! I'll slip into the house, and wait her coming, if 'tis till midnight. [He goes unperceived by them into the Cottage. Dor. Let nobody go into the house. Ros. I'll take care; but first I'll double-lock the door. [While she is locking the Door, Dorcas, going to take up the Basket, sees the Purse. Dor. Good lack! What is here! a purse, as I live! Dor. Come, and see; 'tis a purse indeed. Dor. We must put up a bill at the church-gate, and restore it to the owner. The best way is to carry the money to his honour, and get him to keep it till the owner is found. You shall go with it, love. Ros. Pray excuse me, I always blush so. Dor. "Tis nothing but childishness: but his honour will like your bashfulness better than too much courage. [Exit. Ros. I cannot support his presence-my embarrassment-my confusion-a stronger sensation than that of |