H K 359Z M99 Cumberland The L^sterious Husband THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES THE MYSTERIOUS HUSBAND A TRAGEDY. THE MYSTERIOUS HUSBAND: TRAGEDY. IN FIVE ACTS. AS IT IS ACTED AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL, COYENT-CARDEK. BY RICHARD CUMBERLAND, Esq. DUBLIN: fRINTED BY WILLIAM GILBERT, ..O.-o.-.o -<> o M PCC txxxvX f'R PROLOGUE. DEEP in a labyrinth, remote from view, Fame's temple ftands, and Fafhion holds the clue; Before the entrance rang'd, a fuppliant band Of candidates invoke her guiding hand: In burfts the throng, a thoufand different ways They fpread, wind, double thro' the puzzling maze : Vain labour his who on himfelf relies, Where none but Fafliion's favorites gain the prize ! Sad omen for our. poet .' who has chofe The narrow groveling path of humble profe ; A path indeed, which Moore and Lillo trode. And reach'd Parnaflus by the bridle road r > Brambles and thorns oppofe, and at our fide Nature alone, and fhe a naked guide. Patrons of nature, from your tears impart Balm to her wounds, and heal her at your heart. ' - Now parody has vented all its fpite, Let tragedy refume her antient right : When Britain's lion roars in martial mood, Throw to the kingly beaft a fop of blood ; Loud in his ear your tragic thunders. roll, And roufe ihe mighty terrors of his foul : When peace, with every liberal fcience join/d, Decrees a joyful fabbath to mankind, Let comedy reftore the court of wit, And open a new fcflions in the pit. Pageants and Pantomimes have fpent their rage, And emptied the whole wardrobe on the ftage : Lord Mayors of London clubb'd with Gods of Greece, And Bi/hcp Blaize comb'd Jafon's golden fleece -, Whilft flipfliod taylors on their treifel boards, Of the Nine Mufes fate the crofs-legg'd lords ; Let a plain bard, in fpite of Fa/hion, aim, By Nature's aid, to find his way ;o fam'e : To his domeftic tale incline your ear, Wives, hu/bands, children ! you may fafely hear. 8S1289 A 3 Dramatis Perfon<e. Lord Davenant - Mr. HENDERSON. Charles Davenant - Mr. LEWIS. Sir Edmund Tracers Mr. YATES. Captain Dormer - Mr. WROUGHTON. Sir Harry Harlow Mr. AIKIN. Paget - . - - Mr. FEARON. Lady Davenaxt - Mifs YOUNGE. Marianne - Mifs SATCHELL, Waiting Woman - - Mifs PJLATT. Lord Dcrvenants Servants, &fr. TIME, f^ Reprefentation. SCENE, J.ONDON. ***.****<:_ *****.** *******& *fhe Myfterious Hu A TRAGEDY. ACT SCENE I. An Apartment In Lord Davenant's Hsuff. Enter Lard Davtxant. LORD D. T""\ID ever man miftake his happi- JL/ nefs as I have done ? am 1 by na- ture fitted for a hufband ? am I by temper qualified to be a gamefter? and yet (a plague upon uiy folly !) I am both : in both I've doubled ftakes, and play'd the lofing game ; married a wife for money, and a wife for love ; and now nor love nor money will get rid of either: upon my right hand and my left x a plague; over-head ruin impends; under-foot lurks difcovery. A fnuation that admits no choice, but choice of miferies. As to my Lady Davenant hsre, if ever man was punilli'd in a faultkfs wife, it is my 8 The Myfteriolis Hujband. my fate to be that man ; with beauty to aitraft, afteclions to aflift temptation, ftill flie ftands upon a rock of virtue ; nor can I, by the narrowed fearch, explore a crack or cranny, where the flighted levity might enter, to throw down her barriers, and make way for my efcape : when a wife's indifcretion will not fave me, well may I rail at fortune ; 'tis hard to Jofe upon a caft, where every chance was in my favour. Now, Paget, before I talk to you, fruit the door. Enter Paget, and fliuts t/te Dtar. What have you difcover'd in Lady Davenant Cnce we laft conferr'd ? PA GET. Nothing. LORD D. No doubt you have watch'd her PA GET. Clofely. LORD LJ, Where has flie been? whom has /he fecn ? what has fhe done ? FACET. The journal of one day is the journal of her life: if I had the eyes of a hawk (and mine are none of the dulleft) I could not fpy a flaw in Lady Davenant. LORD D. Incredible! Are not you an attor- ney, and is not fhe a woman ? have not I fet you as a fpy upon her perfon ; cas'd the body of a lawyer in the livery of a fervant ; and, after three months paft and more, will you perfuade me, that you have difccvered, what the world never knew, a wife without a flaw ? I'll not believe it. FACET. Why then, my Lord, you muft ev'n ftrip my livery off my back, and difmifs rue to my parchments. LORD D. You will find flaws enough in them: of this I'm fure, if any thing can outwit a lawyer, it muft be the devil j therefore, Faget, I conclude againft her Lady/hip's fanftity. What do you tell roe ? has this great city loft its temptations, or re- form'd its morals ? There are a hundred fine men f the town, who fay Ihe is the fined woman in it. PAGET. The Myfterious Hujband. 9 PAGBT. Yesj and fwear it too : but flic won't believe e'm. LORD D. She was credulous enough, when I told her fo. PA GET. 'Twas a great weaknefsj but /he is wifer lhan fhe was. LORD D. Does Sir Harry Harlow make no way? He is a fafliionable man, and came on with all the gallantry of a Frenchman. FACET. Yes, and went off like a Frenchman j he'll not rally any more ; we have orders never to admit him ihe is in frequent converfation with your fon. LORD D. I have remark'd it, and fliall flop their interviews. FACET. She has been collecting a fum LORD D. What is that for ? .FACET. That's more than I can tell' I Told fome trinkets for her of her uncle's giving, and ex- changed fome money into notes this morning. LORD D. I paid her quarter's pin-money but yefterday : this muft be Jook'd into. FACET. Yes, we may look} but it is feeking for day-light with a dark-lanthorn : malice cannot fpy a fault in her , mifchief cannot make one ; and if I might offer my advice, it ftiould be to defift from any further pains in the attempt : 'tis merely lofs of labour, take my word for it. LORD D. To fay the truth, I begin to be of your opinion ; but till a better plan can be (truck out, we muft perfift in this : you know ir.y reafons, Paget ; you alone, of all mankind, are in the fecret of that fatal ftep, which trains me on in infamy and error. If Lady Davenant was in fact, as fhe is in Jaw, my only wife, I would not act as now ; but vrhilit that fecond marriage in Flanders with Mffs Dormer draws off my heart, and keeps me under terror of difcovery, if 1 can't find occafion for a di- vorce, I muft make it. FACET. 'Tis plain your paflion for Mifs Dormer ftill fub&ts, elfc her perfuafion of your death, her ignorance 10 The Myfterious Hujband. ignorance of your name and ftation, and the precau- tions we have taken to prevent difcovery, make thefe meafures neecilefs. LORD D. I wim 1 faw it in that light ; but what fecuriiy have I againll Mifs Dormer's coming over ? what againft her marrying again, believing, as /He does, that I am dead ? that were a ftroke that I fhould doubly feel. Another danger threatens me ; her brother Dormer may return from fea : his for- mer paffion for my Lady Davenant, and gratitude for my fervrces in getting him a fhip, will expofe me to his vifits : and I would fooner meet the devil than the man I've wrong'd fo deeply. PA GET. 'Twould not be pleafant, "I confefs; but furely 'twas reported he was kill'd in action with an enemy's fhip in the Eaft Indies. LORD D. Wounded, _ not kill'd : But hark! my Lady's coming. Vanifti ! [Exit Paget. Good morning to you, Lady Davenant; drefs'd fo early .' Enter Lady Davenant. LADY D. 'Tis my uncle's day for via" ting, and I made myfelf ready to receive him. LORD D. Come, come, that ftudied elegance of drefs can never be put on to receive an uncle ; you had fome better object in your eye than old Sir Edmund Travers. LADY D. Perhaps I had. LORD D. Why that's fincere ; I know you do not fet yourfelf in fuch array for family vifitors. LADY D. I own it ; but a ftranger, and a fa- vourite too when fuch a one is in the cafe-^ LORD D. Ay, then you arm at every point for conqueft : but this Itranger tell me, who is he ? LADY D. Who is a greater ftranger than your Lordfhip ? If I'm arm'd for conqueit, here's the heart I aim at. LORD D. Plhaw ! this is trifling; thefe are words io courfe. If man and wife keep forms, 'tis all The Myfterious Hujland* 1 1 .t is requir'd j but to pretend a paflion, and ?a!lc of love to a hufband 'tis an affectation that iowers your underftanding, but cannot iinpofe upon mine. In the name of reafon, Lady Davenant, make yourfelf an agreeable wife, but do not fink into that moft infipid of all characters, a good fort of woman. LAD YD. And what is your defcription of a good fort of woman ? LORD D. She is one that keeps the command- ments, hears fermons, talks a little innocent fcan- dal, and fcolds the fervants. LADY D. Now tell me your receipt for an agreeable wife. LORD D. An agreeable wife to a man of the world is a woman of the world ; one who follows her own purfuits, and does not crofs thofe of her hufband. Let me fpeak to you with fincerity we married for convenience ; there is a difparity in our ages ; I was a widower, with a fon as old as your- felf; you an orphan girl of fortune, a flave to the humours of your uncle ; you purchafed liberty by the facrifice of inclination. LA DY D. How does that appear, my Lord ? LORD D. Beyond a doubt ; you know your heart was never mine; you know you was in love vvilh Dormer ; would have married him ; was thwarted in your firft affection, and took me upon duty I might have faid upon compulfion $ for I was your uncle's choice, not yours. LADY D. Hold there, whilft I declare to you, in truth of heart, if Dormer had not given me up,- unkindly given me up it was not duty, no, nor yet compulfion, fliould have forced me to renounce him. LORD D. I give you credit for a fair confefllon, and I draw this natural conclufion from it : The woman who has loved, will love again I am con- tent. Let me fpeak plainly to you : you are young, handfome, fenfible, fufceptible : I am declining from the prime of life, a lover of my eafe, and, I confefs 12 Tht Myfterious Hujband. confels to you, not over uxorious. Why ftiould we retrain each other? Why fhould marriage, that {bikes off other women's fetters, put on your's ? live as women of your rank live ; let your life be neither that of a town libertine, nor this, which you ncr.v lead, of & matrimonial mope. LADYD. I underfland you, my Lord: but if 1 am better pieafed to fubmit to- the chagrin of your neglect, than to the reproaches of my own eon- feience, you will fufFer me to purfue a dull choice, id be thie objeft of your contempt, rather than of my own. I'll not difguife from you that my heart is made for love, foft and fubjeft to temptation, there- fore I avoid it : it once belonged to Dormer j he re- turned it wounded, bleeding to its owner; 'twas healed, made whole, and offered to Lord Davenast ; if you will not receive it, you may fend it back tome, as Dormer .did j but you ihall never make -it common property, aflure yourfelf. ^ LoRoD. Well, Jet that pafs. i ha-ve a quef- tion, to which J beg your anfwer, without evafion 0? referve. LADY D. Prepofe it. LORD D. What has pafied of late between your Ladylhip and my fon? You have been clo- fetted more than once j what have you conferred upon? .LADY D. Anvl bound to teH that ? .LORD D, Indifpenfably j I charge you on your duty ; if you will put yourfelf on your defence, de- fend yourfelf. I have remark'd a fiillennefs in Cap- tain Davenant, that does not pleafe me ; a darknefs and referve not proper ; and I fufpeft your.Ladyihip of being party in the occaHon. LADY D. No, no ; if ever I am forc'd to make ray forrows known, it will not be to your fon 'I HvalJ fpeak unfavourably of his father. LORD D. No matter ; tell me what pafs'd. , LADY-!). -Read then, and fatisfy your doubts. [Gives him a letter, LORD D. 'The Myfterioits Hiifiaud. ' j^ ' LORD Dv (Reads) " Dear Charles, " As it may be inconvenient to your father to fur- ** nifh you with the purchafe- money for your majo- *' rity, accept this trifle in aid from your ever af- " feflionate, " Louifa Davenant." Confufion ! let me fee; five hundred pounds! your Lady/hip is very bountiful to Captain Davenant; and very considerate, as you would have it appear, of his father's pocket. If you had ftu- died the necefllties of that, Madam, why might not your bounty pafs through my hands ? how know you I approve of this ? how can you tell but other calls may be more urgent with me than this of a ccmmiffion for my fon ? what if I have duns of ho- nour now .t my door ? what if I have play-debts, that cannot be put afide? will you unftring your purfe ; empty your hoard of pin-money for me ? I do not find you will. LADY D. 'Tis in your hands; difpofe of it 'as you fee fit. LORD D. And I do fee fit to difpofe of mine and my fon's concerns without your Ladyfliip's ad- vice or interference : I fhall alfo expecl, and ftrictly require, that you do not talk and cabal with my fon upon any thing that now pafles, ever did pafs, or ever /Hall pafs, between you and me upon the fub- Jed. Servant introduces Sir Edmund Travers. SERV. Sir Edmund Travers. SIR EDM. Lord Davenant, I kite your hands- why this is as it fhouid be ; this is as it us'd to be in days of yore, when man and wife fulfiii'd the faying and were one fle/h. I proteft to you, I have been let into the houfes of three married couple this morning, and found but one and a half at home. B LORD *4 The My f tenons Kujband. LORD D. Perhaps the hen birds were en the perch, Sir Edmund.; 'tis rather early. SIR EBM. Very gogd, .very good, but that was not the cafeLady Turtle, for inftance, was on the wing ; that dove bad left .the ark ; knowing Sir Philander-to be fo fond a mate, I aflced him of my Lady flie was not in the houfe how did fhe do ? he could not tell where was ftie gone ? he did not care I ftared at this- he -observing my furprize, .laid, he-fuppefed I had not hear-d of his misfortune, ,lfe I 'would never have mentioned that vile hufley in his hearing a. plague upon all family .affairs .' thought I ; 'twas not a week ago, this fellow held me by the ear with a detail as tedious as the coutt- fliip of Jacob and Rebecca but I have always faid, Lord Davenant and my Niece are -the only inftances of conjugal felicity, in upper life at leaft. LADY D. If you thii>k us fo happy, Uncle, why clon 5 * you take an agreeable companion <to cheer the -evening of your days? SIR EDM. To hang myfelf in the evening of my days": how cou'd you name fo horrible a thing to me as an agreeable companion ? LADY D. I've obferv'd, that they who rail inoft againft matrimony, are the firft to marry. SIR EDM. And I've remark'd, that they who marry, are the rft to rail : lack-a-day, if 1 did not find you and my Lord here together in a -family way, as they call it, always civil and courteous to each other, with a fmile of complacency on your countenances, what ihould 1 think ? if I did not fee tfycfe things with my own eyes, what fliould I fay, when fo many bufy tattling fools afe whifper- ing it about that you are the moft unhappy couple in Lo'ndon ? LoRDD. Whifpering, Sir Edmund! they'll \vhifper any thing ; but who dares fay it ? Si* EDM. That was juft my anfwer ,- -my an- fwer to a tittle: a plague upon you all! fa-id I t'other night to a knot of old fogruius at ibe Mount, '-ho were caballi orer their ccftee, not perceiv- ing The Myftcrioits Hujband. 1$ ing me fnug in a corner box a plague upon you atf! laid I LORDD. Tedious old blockhead M'll efcape iir time. [Going. SIR Bok. My Lord, my lord, hear out my ftorr ; it is told in three words. LORD D. I beg your pardon, but I've indif- penfable bufmefs, and have outftaid my engage- aient. [Exit Lord Davenar.r. SIR EDM. Why look you there, now 'tis fur-- prizing how unwilling people are to hear my ftories ; not a man in our club will fit them ut, except the fmoakers. 'Tv/as juft the fame, when I was in Par-- hament, nothing but coughing, hemming, and fliuf- fling of feet : no attention, no defire of information; all their brains a gadding. And your Lord has a piece of that, let me tell you ; but a good man in the main, an excellent man in the .T.sin, an incom- parable hufband. LADY D. I make no complaint. SIR. EDM. To be fure you don't complaint in- deed ! no, if you had the lead caufe for that, truft me for finding it out ; nothing of that fort could ef- cape me, you know it could not. LADY D. I ihould be forry you had any caufe to regret a match fo entirely of your own making. Sm EDM. Right, child, you are right; 'twas \ -,atch of my own making; you owe all your hap* pir.efs to your uncle ; and you now perceive a grey head was a little wifer than a green one : you was once of another opinion, but that's paft and over; t don't reproach you, Louifa ; indeed I may charge that error of your life to my own indulgence. I hu- mour'd you- to. a fault in yovir education; turn'd my houfe into a fchool to make you happy ; let yen have as many mailers as you pleas'd ; doctors and apothecaries, you might choofe amongft them all j bill in the important article of a hufband, there in- deed I flept in, there J had my choice, as was natural I Should ; and now you fee the confequence j now, Louifa, 1 fay, you fee the confequence. B 2 LADY 36 The Myfteriws Hujband. LADY D. I do indeed, Sir. SIR EDM. Why that's fair;, you are perfe&ly happy, and you owrt it, that's iincere : and what did I do to make you fo ? thwarted your inclinations, that were leading you aftray : J chofe my Lord Da.- venant Here, a man of a certain age, a widower, d'ye fee j not only fit to huiband you, Louifa, but to father you j whereas you know, and, if you arc honeft, you will conitfs, that if I had indulg'd yea in your choice LADY D. I ihould havechofen otherwife. SIR EDM. You would haye. married young Dor- mer. LADY D. I confefs it. SIR EDM. Oh, the many anxious thoughts 1 had- to prevent it J how did J puzzle my poor brain to make you happy, and break off your connexion with that young fellow ! LADY D. Was there a contrivance in that bu- finefs ? SIR EDM. .Was there a contrivance, child ! to be fure there was ; there's a contrivance in every thing I do; and I mutt do 'Lord Dnvenant thejut- tice to fay, he took fonie pains in that affair as well as myfelf witnefs Captain Dormer's Jetter to you. LADY D. What of that, I bcfeech you? let me know all my obligations to Lord Davenant. SIR EDM. And 'tis fit you ihoulJ j every man's good dee^s fhould be known ; he wrote every word of that letter himfelf -, not a fyllable was Captain Dormer's. LADY D. Not a fyllable ! .: SIR EDM. Not a tittle and my Lord never told you this ? LADY D. Never. SIR EDM. That's extraordinary ; but indeed he bound me to fecrecy j fo ycu muft fay nothing of the matter : oh ! he was at uncommon pains for your fake ; for he thought you would be a monftrous for- tune i and to be fure you will at my dea\h-r-but there The Myfterious Hujland. rj there I outwitted him too, for I came down with onty ten thoufand, and faddled him with a hum- ming jointure, and four hundred a year pin-money. -Ah, my dear Louifa, I confulted your happinefs in every tittle of your fettlement. LADY D. Since you hate been fo' confiderate of me in the bargain you have made with Lord Da- venant, let m hope you will now affift him ii/a family difficulty. His fon is treating for the pur- chafe of a majority, and wants a fum of money J.o complete it; he is an excellent young man, and you would do me a moil acceptable kindpefs., if you would enable nae to fupply him- with five hundred pounds. Sr* EDM. Ah Louifa, Louifa f I'm afraijl the (lories I've heard of your hu (band's gaming are too true. LADY D. About as true as what you've heard of our unhappinefs : but I thought you treated all fuch reports with contempt. SIR EDM. And fo I do but time flies ; 'tis vi- fiting day with me, and I mud leave you good morning. LADY D. But you have given me no anfwer about the money. SIR EDM. Anfwer, child! what fignirles an- fwering you, when th<. thing is inipotHWe. Lady Davenar.t. So then it feems I have been dup'd by bafe contri- vances : Dormer is clear, and 1 am facrific'd. Lord Davpnant's conduft is compleat ; begins with trea- chery and ends in tyranny. Moft miferable of wo- men, to whom fliall 1 complain ? it is too much ; I can't fupport n;y agony. [Throws herftlfon a cnfh and ivteff. B 3 Sir 1 8 :n? Myfterious Hujband. Sir Edmund re-enters. Si A EDM. Ay, now flic's crying, becaufe I refus'd her the money : what a fond fool it is! I warrant now fhe'd pledge her diamonds to redeem her hufband LADY!). Who's there ? SIR EDM. 'Tis I, 'tis uncle Edmund. Nay, Louifa, if jou cry; 'tis all over with me ; take the money, give me a kifs~I am a foolifh fond old fellow, and cannot bear to fee you unhappy. If 'twere as much again, you Ihould have it j but don't aJk me for anymore, I pray you don't.' 'Tis all in notes j they would have been navy bills be- fore night b.ut I'm a fooliih fond old fellow, that's the truth of it. LADY D.- I thank you, Sir, I thank you. Sin EOM. Apropos! here is the very gentle- man you was fpeaking of. Come in, Captain Da- venant, come in without ceremony: my ladv has got fomething for you, but I tell no tales, 1 betray no fecrets fo, fo ; I leave you together. Good bjetoyou. 1 leave you together. [Exit. ' Enter Captain Davenant. CAPT.D. What is this fecret that Sir Edmund has broach'd? what commands has your Lady/hip for me ? LADY D. After what my uncle has faid, 'tis in vain to deny that I have a requeft to mike, which I beg you not to refufe me. CAPT. D. If the requefl fliall be, as 1 fufpeft it is, to receive frelh favours from you, 'tis the nly difficulty you can put me to in obeying you. LADY D. If you knew what pleafure I receive by tendering to you this trifle towards the purchafe of your rank, you would take it for my fake with- out further fcruple r if you have any regard for me, accept it at my hands. CAPT.D. What ihall I fay to you, moft gene- rous of women ? LADY The Myftcfiouf Hu/band. ? 19 LADY D. Nothing; neither is it convenient, we fliould converfe together: I am obliged to re- queft of you not to mention what has pafs'd. CAFT. D. O Lady Davenant! Lady Davenant I my heart bleeds for you LADY D. Hufh ! not a word of that now, ' Enter Servant. SERV. Sir Harry Harlow to wait upon your Lady {hip. LAPY D. Did not I teH you to deny me? I am not at home to Sir Harry Harlow. [Exit, SERV. What wou'd ;your honour pleafe to have me do ? he is coming up ftairs. CAPT. D Rafcaf, begone.' [Exit Servant . Sir Harry Har!ivj. SIR H. H. How now, Charles ? rating tf.e footman ? it is indeed an untowardly whelp j her Ladyfliip is not very feleft in the choice of her lac- queys ; he wou*d have perfuaded me 1 was not to be let in. But won't your fair mother-in-law make her appearance ? CAPT. D. No. SIR H. H. No, man I b that all the anfwe* you can afford me I the yard-dog wou'd fay as much. CAPT. D. Take your anfwer from hha then, when you make your next enquiries. Enttr Lord Davtnant. Loan D. How now, Gentlemen both, at {harps with each other ? SIR H. H. Captain Davenant feems to guard your Lordfliip's doors, as if it was a crime to enter them; if fo, I muft confefs it is a crime I am not difpofed to repent of, at leaft till you tell me I ought to do fo. [G?//. Davenant walks afide. LOAD D, io The Myfterious Hujband, LORD D. Pooh? 'tis his manner ; 'tis the fa/Hion of ihe times : the young men now-a-days, and the young women too, talk no other language to their deareft friends. Hark ye, Charles, have the kindnefs to ftep into the library ; I want a few words in private with you. [Exit Caft. Davenanr. This young man has ruffled you ; and, to fay truth, his manners are much alter'd : whether he miftakes in thinking a fierce military air becomes him, or that foiue fecret matter really dilconcerts him, I can't pretend to fay, for he communicates with me but little : I beg you will think no more of what is paft for my fake. SIR H. H. Allure yourflf, my Lord, 'tis as if it had never been. Loan D. Here, Harry, I have a play debt to fettle with you ; take thefe notes. SIR H. H. As you -will for' that; chufe your wn time. LORD D. Nay, but take them ; 'twas a curfed crafli 1 got laft night. [Givei him the Notes. SIR H. H. Deuce take me, my Lord, if it does not go to my heart to win your money : 1 have a thoufand times refolv'd 'never to play with you again. LORD D. Why fo in the name of wonder ? Si a H. H. Becaufe I cannot bear to wear in my pocket what might fo much better be emp'oy'd elfe where. LORD D. What is the man moralizing about? SIR H. H. Well, I proteft and vow, was I the kufband of Lady Davenant Ly*D D. You woru'd be as tir'd of her as I am. Si* H. H. For fKame, for ihame I whai wo- man can be more engaging ? LORD D Every woman that is not my wife. SIR H. H. That ever matrimony ihou'd bring a man to this I as Heaven flrall be my judge, I'd give one half of my eftate to fliare. the other with the woman you arc fo ic. 4 .iftgr;nt about. LOKD 'D. The Myfterious Hit/band. 21 LORD D. And I wou'd give 'this arm from off this body to be quit of her ; fo there's the differ- ence between you and me: but let as talk no more of the fubjeft is your chariot in waiting ? SIR H. H. It is. LORD D. Are you going to any diftance? SIR H. H. Only ..to a viiit in. the next ftreet, and then home. LORIJ D. If that's ^all, I ftould be glad you wouM t;ike my chair, and lend me your car- riage j I have a little bufiaefs at t'other end of th town. . SIR H. H. -Takcjt where you pkafe; 'tis at your (mice:- I perceive I '/hall not have the ho- nour of making my bow to Lady Davenant this" morning, LORD D/ To fay the truth, I fufpeft you will not : it does not appear to me, Harry, that you are in train to n:ake your way to her Lady/hip's good graces j and it requires a very moderate wiare of re-fo/utioTi- to refill temptation, where there is no. inclination for the tempter. ' iJ. of th .f.rft AC T. ACT 21 The Myftcrious llujband* ACT II. An Apartment in Lord Davenant's floufe. Lady Davenant, followed by Captain Davenant. CAPT. D. T Mud fpeak to you: you muft give X nie a few minutes hearing. LADY D. Promifc then, you will not name your father. CAPT. D. 'Tis upon another bufmefs quite ; an dbecaufe you are the friend I beft love on earth, you lhall be the firft to whom I communicate my joy. LADY D. You have obtained your coramifllon ? CAPT. D. I have indeed, but not the commif- fion, my dear Lady, you are thinking of; not a promotion to rank, but to bappinefs- I am married. LADY D. Heaven and earth ! to whom ? CAPT. D An angel: one, who in mind and perfon is your fifter ; and, if evil fate had not for- bade, might have been fuch in fact. LADY D. What do you mean ? explain your- felf. CAPT. D. The fifter of your Dormer. LADY D. My Dormer! What is it you tell me ? does your father know of this ? CAPT. D. It is not fit he ftyould ; how could he be reconcil'd to my choice, when he neglects his own ? LADY D. Remember your promife, and no more of this Where did you meet Mifs Dormer ? 1 thought fhe was reftdent in Flanders. CAPT. D. 'Twas there I met her, on my late journey to Spa: howl became acquainted with Jier j why I conceal'd from you my paflion ; with each circumftance of her affecting ftory, will de- jjiand The Myfterious Hujland. 23 mand 'relation more at large but flie is not, as you call her, Mifs Dormer. LADY D. That I can readily conceive, fmce you have married her. CAPT. D. But fhe was nol Mifs Dormer when I did marry her : fhe was the widow of an Eng- lifh gentleman, f the na:ne of Brooke, who liv'd with her about three months j went to Paris, and there died : there is fomething myfterious in the conduct of this man j but that, with other matters, I muft now defer. We are juft reiurn'd from a chur-ch in the city ; bat as friend/hip has its claim upon my heart as well as love, I fnatch an hour from my enchanting bride to feek her coun- terpart ; and, as I fear you have few bleffings you can call your own, I beg you to accept a ihare of mine. Farewell J LADY D. May happinefs attend you both I [Exit Cafit. D covenant. Married to Dormer's fitter ! How that name ftrifces on my heart f And I the confidante of a clan- deftine marriage : a .dangerous fecret for my peace 4 -the transport of the moment never fuffer- cd him to think of that well, let the danger come ! there was a time I fhou'd have been more fcrupulous j but the bale conduct of Lo*d Davenant makes him loathfome in my eyes; and was my injur'd hero now to come Oh, Heaven, I will not think of it Walch over him, ye guar- dians of ihe good and brave ! waft him, ye winds, to glory ! * may the fliip that bears him, and the ftar by which he fails, be ever profperous ! and, as he walks ,the deck by night, amidft the vafte of waters, iliould a thought of my unkindnefs fnn'te his manly heart with fadnefs, may fome pitying fpirit turn afide the thought, and flrike out xsy un- happy n.2.nie from his remerubran.ee I Enter Servant. SKRV. Pleafe your JLadyflup, there is a Tea- officer below, enquires for cny Lord ; I told him he 14 -^The Myfterious Hitfband* he was from hotnCj but he fays he will wait hit return. LADY P. Where Is my Lord,? SERV. Gone out in Sir Harry Harlow's chariot- I hope his Lordlhip will not be angry at my letting the gentleman in. . LADY D. I hope not; you fhould make him give his name, however. SER.V. That I did . at firft, Madam; 'tis our general order. . LADY D. And what is his name? SERV, He has wrote it down on a card Blefs me, my I<ady .' fomething's the matter ; /hall I run for your Lady (hip's woman ? LADY D. No, no, be quiet it will go off what have 1-. done with the card ? SEKV. Here it is: pray, my Lady, forgive my boldnfefs, and let me call your fervant. LADY D. There's no occafion ; I charge you not to mention to a foul that I was ill Shew the gentleman into the eating-parlour and remember to teH nobody of this trifling diforder. SERV. Not for the world- The blefling on her! what a Tweet Lady it is? [txst. La< J y Davenanf. LADY D. Dormer return'd, and in the hov.fe ' All-ruling Providence, receive a helplefs creatnre into thy protection ! iuccour my fainting fpirits in this dangerous moment, and fupport my refolution, ftruggling in a tide of pafllons, from whofe over- whelming force no hand but thine can fave 1 me !~I obey it is thy voice that warns me to avoid him ; and tho' to juftify myfelf to Dormer were the dear- eft object of my life, I will not do it: no, let me fuffer as I may, I will not meet him ; I will never fee him more. Entct The Myftcriotts llujbaiid. 25 Enter Waiting Wtman. W. \VOM. O Madam I O my Lady! fuch a thing is come to pafs ! Captain Dormer's in the houie ; 1 have feen him with my own eyes. LADY D. Well, if he is, what's that to me? was it well done of you, to expofe me by your idle curiofity ? W. WOM. Indeed and indeed, my Lady, I was innocently going into the eating-parlour for your Ladyship's netting-box, not thinking any body was there, when I faw a fea-officer in his uniform, look- ing earneftly at your Ladyfhip's portrait over the chimney ; his back was towards me, fo I did not know who it wasj and on I went, thinking no of- fence, when fuddenly he turn'd upon me ; and then lo be fure I gave a- loud fliriek, difcovering him to be Captain Dormer. LA DY D. Does he know I am in this houfe ? W. WOM. Know, Madam! to be fure he knows your Ladyiliip is married to my Lord ; for he aflc'd me if the portrait was not drawn for you, which you know 1 cou'd not deny j and then he afli'd me how it came in this houfe, and fo I told him you was married to my Lord, which is nothing but the truth-r-and then, mercy on me, how he ftarted ! fo I thought I wou'd fay no more } but as I was go- ing, Madam, he took me by the hand and held me, and then he alk'd me half a hundred queftions, all in a breath, fo.that I knew not what to anfwer ; but telling him that your Ladymip wanted me up ftairs, away I run and if I have done any thing amifs, I heartily afk your Ladymip's pardon. LADY D. Amifs! I know not what you're done. Did he afk to fee me ? W. WOM. Oh! . moft earneflly.; but I wcs afraid to tell your Ladyihip of that ; indeed he beg' very hard to fee you. LADY D. Impoffible! It muft not be. How does he look ? W..WOM. Lovelily ; you wou'd be cLarm'd to Tee him. C &6 The. Myfterious Hujband. ..LADY D. Pooh ! I mean is he in health ? W. WQM. /In perfert health. LADY^D. Thank Heaven for that? W. WO,M. Madam? LADY D. .Reftrain your curiofuy, if you pleafe, *nd fay nothing of _what has pafs'd. ._Go down to Captain Dormer, and tell him tell him I am re~ joic'd No, ; that won't do Cruel necefiity ? Tell him I muft never fee him more. W. WOM. Lack-a-day, my Lady, I ,fhall never tave the heart to tell him that-^-Oh, the mifchief! Cere's rny Lord, [Exit hajlily. Enter Lord Davenant, * .LORD D. So your Captain Dormer is come home, and you have admitted him into my houfe. LADY D. ' No, my Lord, I have not admitted iim. LORD D. But your ambafladrefs there has been in treaty :-me,flages have pafied ; I know they tave. LADY D. My conduct, my Lord, is open ; .1 have no fecrets,,and if it is .any-fatisfa&ion to yqu to know it, ,1 can alture you it is my fixt refolutioa sever to fee.Captain Dormer any more. LORD.!). A v/oman's refolution -, and youMl keep it accordingly. LADY D. I hope I IKall keep it -for your Lord,* fliip's fake as well as my own. LoiiD.D. For my fake ! LADY D. Yes, I have the firongefl reafons on your account. Captain Dormer is an injur'd man ; interviews might draw on explanations, and thefe might lead to confequences of an unpleafant n*- lure. LORD D. You deal in riddles, Madam ; your tone is rais'd too, now your champion's in the houfe, ' Enter T'he MyfterioUs Hufband. Enter SERV. Captain Dormer's compliments, and begs to know if your Lordfhip-will be pleas'd to fee him. LORD D. Tell him I'll wait upon him prefently *[*// Servant] What can fke mean by explana- tions ? her confidence alarms me if Paget ha's betray'd me if fhe has heard of my affair with Dormer's fitter, ali is loft. I'll prove her further. [dJtJe.] You fay that Dormer is an injur'd man; who tclis you'fo ? what is his injury, and who has done it ? LADY D. If letters have been fabricated which he never wrote ; and if it may be call'd an injury to imprefs with falfe opinions hearts that were once devoted to each other, then am I warranted in what' I fay : My uncle is my author. LORD D. So your wife uncle has to fd ycu th'is ; - this is 'the nrighty myftery for my fliare of the artifice, it is, amongft the crimes I have repented of moft cordially: You cannot execrate the luckr lefs hour that made us one morfe bitterly than I do. LADY D. Since it is fo, my Lord, I fliall not aggravate that bitternefs by expofmg you to the reproaches of Captain Dormer. LORD D. If you've no other reafon for avoid"- iflg him but this, you are free to juftify yourfelf at my expence j if you have nothing eJfe to charge nlc with to Captain- Dormer, this I can face, and inftantly-^-Who waits I nay, I'll prevent you, own to what I've done, and Hand by confequences, be they what : they may Stay, you yourfelf fliall hear rue. LADY D. I beg. to be excus'd : I muft infift upon permiflion to withdraw. > Enter Servant. - LORD D. Tell Captain- Dormer I am ready to receive him for if the time nmft come when he C 2 ' thit 28 The -Myjlerious Hujband. that does the wrong, and he that fuffers ir> fhall face to face bring their accounts to ifuie, better that the audit pafs in this life than another Why then this fudden tremor ? conference, confcience, is this fair dealing? flow to admonifh, when you might have fav'd me ; loud in reproach, when admonition is too late. What if I told this young man all the wrong I've done him ? what if I avow'd the hor- rid injury that's yet unknov.-n j that worm that gnaws my heart ; that canker, which the incifion of his fword can only cure ? 1 know the awful con- fummation is at hand r I feel the coming on of things ; but when, and in what manner they fliall pafs, I cannot tell. The hand that rules my fate ttuft fafliion it. Servant intraducts Caff at n Dcrxttr. SERV. Captain Dormer. [Exit. LORD D. You are welcome to England, Sir : 1 am forry I was not ready to receive ycu, and that jfou have been put to the trouble of waiting for me. DORM. The apology is due for my importunity, .but I confider this as a vifit of duty j and as I owe iny command to your Lordfhip's recommendation, I was determin'd that the firft deor \ enter' d in Lon- don fliould be jrour's. LORD D. You are juftarriv'd? DORM. Within this hour. ioRD D. You do me honour, and I hear with much content you've done yourfe If great honour, and the fervice, DORM. Such men and officers as I have ferv'd with muft enfure fuccefs; J muft have been the fole 'defaulter in my fhip, if we had flinchM our duty. LORD D. If there is any thing I can further bey you in, you will be pleas'd to command me. DORM, I humbly thank you; and can only fay, tho' I have been long at fea, J don't wifh to be idle on fhore. There is a bufinefs, however, that 1 have at heart to fettle before I go out again ; and as your Lord/hip's favour has enabled me to make a fortune, the The ~Myfterious Hufiand. $9 .> the fame friendfhip perhaps wiH'aflift' me in thedif-. pofal of it. ' . LORD D. Explain yourfelf if you pleaie j you know I have been always at your feryicp.- DORM. I have a fitter , LORD. D. Sir ! [Staring,'] ' DORM. My Lord, I hope you have heard t ne-* thing to the Contrary. LORD. D. 1 No, on nay honour pleafe to pro- ceed. DORM. Thope fhe is yet living ; 'tis a long time; fince I hesrd from her ; flie is .the only Delation I have left j an orphan girl, My Lord and if {he is ftil! at Antwerp, where 'I 'left her, I can fcarce hope to fee her -before I ani erde'r'd but again.' To her I have bfequeath'd the earnings of my fervice, and in the mean time made^fatiable provifion for her fup- port : if you, who are the founder of my fortune, will kindly undertake' this .friendly truft, and fuffer rne to depofite in -ydur care an orphan charge, you will put me under evertafting obligation. LORD D.- By Heaven, this is to much ! {Afide.\ Sir? Mr. Dormer f I atn-fenfiole of the honour you do me but you' muft think I am a man not ufed ' to bufmels of this 'fort -'-the cominilfion is a very de- licate conimhfibn : 'the charge 'of a young lady DORM. Js a very , facred charge 1 feel it fuch ; ' artd therefore ardently would wifh to reit x it wiih'a man cf honour." I^m fehfjble of rny 'prefump^ion 5 I know I am iiipofing trouble^ where I ought only to be paying gratitude ; but, my Lord Dayenant, I have nd frrends except in my own profellion ; they cannot ferve me on this occafion You are my only hope j and, as you hr've once taken me by the hand, I pray you do not let it go,: I am bold to hope I fKsll not bring difc red it o*n your protection, and I fhall be through Jife-devotd to you for .the favour. LORD. D. I am diilreiFedj and if I do n.ot anfwer jDu' to- your wi/h,- iC is be'caufe I'm fehfible I do not merit the good opinion you'repofe in ine : you will allow me fonie liuie to refie^ on vrhat you defitre. C 3 DORM, 30 5T<? 'Myfteriour Hujband. 0o M. By all means: I would not take ydur friendship by furprize. One thing 1 fhould naturally have dated to you before; but fince I entered your Lordfhip's houfe, 1 have been informed of a circuni- ftance, that makes the mention of it a matter of Tome embarraflment. Lo RD D. What may that circumftance be f DORM. I underftand you have the happinefs to call a Lady your's whom I had once the audacity to afpire to j Mifs Travers I am told is Lady Davenaht. LORD D. How is flie interefted in this bufmefs? DORM. Your Lordfliip having been privy to my pafllon for your moft amiable Lady, I may be allow- ed to fay to you, that it was my firft pafiion, and will be my kft. Her uncle's oppofition, and her 'better deftiny, traverfed my too ambitious hopes, and re- Nerved her to a worthier choice. Though there was fomething harder than 1 could have expected in her manner of difmifling me, ftill, upon reflection, I cannot condemn the Lady, who had prudence to re- ject an infolent pretender with the fcorn he merited: nay, I am vain enough to flatter myfelf, her tfncle idictatad exprefllons that did not originate with her: be that as it may, 1 have bequeathed my fortune to her upon failure of my fifterund her heirs. .LORD. D. -Aftoniihing ! when did .you take this refolution ? DORM. When I was far enough from thinking ! Ihould ever fee her more ; -after the action, when I was defpaired of from my wounds: and though 1 ! <iO not wi/h. your Lordmip to report this to Lady Da- venant, I hope it will be a motive with you for un- dertaking the truft, when fo dear* part of you has an eventual intereft fn it. iLoRoD. So dear a part of me-! 'Tis plain that fhe is fuch to you ; and her refufal has not yet wxtmguifhed your affection. DORM. No, my Lord, her honour and her 'bappinefs are ftill as dear to me as my own; no other objcfct can ever interpofe to draw off ray at- tachment; 'fhe Myfterioits Hufoand. 31 T tachment: having once had the honour of being regarded by her, I can never defcend to think of any other woman ; and 1 hope I have already con- vinced your Lord/hip, that, fo far from bearing en- mity to the happy man who pofleffes her, I rcjoyce to find that the objeft of her Jove and the friend of my life is one and the fame perfon. I therefore once again entreat you to take my fitter alfo into your protection ; and you will then have in charge every thing I hold valuable on earth. LORD D. This is really fo extraordinary, that I muft wonder on what grounds you reft a confi- dence in me fo full and fo jmplich. DORM. To fay the truth, I follow Lady Dave- nan t's choice ; perfuaded I may truft my interefts where flie repofes hers. LORD D. But fuppofe, for a moment, that compulfion and not choice, determined Lad/ Davenant to ally herfelf to me. DORM. Impoflible! I'll not fuppofe it for a moment. LORD D. Nay, let me put a ftronger cafe Snppofe this idol of your foul /hould mile no ecfla- cies in mine-" What if this angel of perfection fhould to me appear the mod indifferent of women f In plainer words, what would you fay, if Lady Davenant was the object of my fix'd aver- iion ? DoRAf . What would you fay ? but I forbear, and underftand fuc'h fuppofitions as civil intima- tion that 'tis time I took my leave LORD D. Oli, by no means: I've much to fay to you. DORM. Some other time: I've troubled you too long already. [Exit hajlily t Ltrd D&venant. LORD D. Curfed be the hour in which I wrong'd this matt'! What a clear fpirit! what a lofty foul? There is a ftateiincfs and grace in virtue, which guilt/ 32 Tbi Myfterious flu/band. guilty pride can never imitate - 'Sdeath I how I? loath myfelf! Damnation ! what a wretch I amf If I had worlds I'd give them to be free. - Vain lamentation! vain remorfe ! - let no man think to take one ftep in infamy,., and then re t raft : - Impoflible J the precipice has no degrees; down, down he falls at once, plunges into the fa- thomlefs abyfs, and links for ever! SCENE changes tt the Apartment of Ma;aiyie. Marianne enter t MAR. Where frail I hide myfelf ?' He's m the - houfe:- What mail I fay How' frail 1 bear" to fee him ? WVetched, wretched woman ! Enter Char lei to her. CAPT. D." Joy to my Mariarme ! my wife? my - Heaven- defend me! what's the matter? Whyaieyou in tears ? - My life /my foul 1 what ails thee? - Anfwer me, or I lliall Hnk with ap- prehenfion. MAR. Alas, my deareft friend,, no more my liu(band - CAPT. D. What do you mean? I am in agonies. MA R. My huiband is alive ; .1 have feen him. CA?T. D. What then am I ? MAR. Ruin'd, difgrac'd, betray'dji - and. I th caufe. CAPT. D. Ob, infupportable and killing ftroke ! can there be mifery more deep than tnis? ^y Heaven 111 not refign you. Villain, deceiver as he is, he cannot claim what he has faithlefsly abandon'd j and, if he does, my (word fhall ftrike him dead. Blaft him, eternal juftiee 1 - burft- un- derneath his feet, and fwallow him, thou violated earth 1 MAR. Tke Myfteriouf Hvjiand. 33 MAR. By this our laft embrace, I do befeech you moderate your rage j it frightens me ; your looks are wild; have patience, and colleft yourfelf to bear this cruel flroke. CAPT. D. If what extinguishes my happinefs, deprives me of my reafon, can I help it? if you have you feen him, known him, and convers'd with him, direct me where he is, and I'll aiTert my right ; for if he was zny father, by the Power that made me MAR. Pray no more : hear aje if pofilble, with feme compofure. CAPT. D. Where did this meeting pafs? yow have not left the houfe. MA K. I faw him from my window in his chariot; there was a noife and uproar in the ftreet ; fome fray between his fervants and the Driver of a hackney Carriage he had let down the .glafs, and ftopt his chariot. CAPT. But are you fure 'twas he ? MAR. Too fure: no fooner did my eye glance on his perfon, than terror ftruck, and fcarce my- felf, I ran down to the door, went out, and call'd to him to (lop, for now the carriages were difen- gag'd CAPT, D. What did he then ? MA*. He ftopt, lookt out, difcover'd me, and called eagerly to his coachman, drove furioufly away. CAPT. D. Infamous wretch! abufer of 'your unprotected innocence! hypocrite, that counter- feiting piety, ftole into the fanfluary of virtue, and robb'd the altar of its holieft relick 1 never lik'd his ftory ; always thought his fanftified ap- proaches, under cloak of mock benevolence and pity, were fufpicious: then this pretended death, and the inscrutable darknefs fucceeding it, were proofs demonstrative of fraud. My life upon't, he is fome titled profligate. Have you no marks to trace him by? the equipage, arms, liveries? did you not note them? through the earth I will purfue him to detection, MAR. 24 The Myfterlous ' MAR. I was incapable of fuch remarks : I Tent my feryant a;nongft the neighbours; Ivs equ:V page -was gay and fpieadid, and 'tis uoffible it may be known -but what enfues, when it is known ? diftraftion, .death. Oh, leave me, Charles, renounce me, banifh my misfortunes from your thoughts, and may fome happier won;p,n CAPT. D.- Madneis is in the thought: never will I forfake thee ; never by a!! that's facred, whilft I lite, will I acknowledge any other wife: in- thy embrace is centert-.l all- my happinefs; here, here, my lovely Marianne, I will -both liv and die. MAR. Alas, my deareft Charles, aitho* n;^r foul doat3 on you-* can I for your fake differ it ? ought I for my own ? CAPT. D. Are you not- then my wife? who fhall oppofe it ? Have you any other hufband ? Let -the world's laws interpret as- they may, by righ; of Heaven's decree yeu are. mine: lei him that forged the lye, fall by the lye. What- if the ro cords of- hi* death w-ere faJ'fe ? you . though* them true; and in perfuafion of their truth) you married ; therefore he's dead to. you,, tho' he fur r yives to villainy ; -the iujfband is extind, tho' the importer lives. ^MAR. For me, who am, the diilxi o'f forrow, friendlefs and obfcure, the v/orld,'s opinions are np rule of right; 'He^veh'^and rny cbnftfience give the Law to mo but oh f to fink your-- frame and fortune, bury all yoiir fpie-n:i:d Hopes, your aftiyt; talents it' is not to ' be thought of: no, your friends, your fa.-T.ily,' ycu-r country claims ' you; .misfortune is my birth-right ; I aa> encompafs'^ with a fpVe're of ^wretched,nef9 ): ' and every one is blighted that approaches me : aa orphan in the cradle; one brarve yooth, one dear .beloved bro- ther,, was the cordial of my. lifer of him per- haps Tarn bereft'. CAPT. D: No, Pr-ovidence reftotey him to you^ this fad accident fo filled my thoughts/ or J had foon- Th'j $Iyjter:M: 'lluund* 35 e"r told you the good tidings of your brother. Dor- mer's arriv.'d, MA R. Is he arriv'd ? -CAPT/D. 'He is arriv'd, and crown 5 d with glory, crowned with fortune: you. are the fiRer of a hero, .-who will ftand recorded in his .country's brighteit Annals : intereft njght folk it your alliance ; pride might boaft of it ; even n.ifers now .might court, the fitter of the wealthy Dormer. MAR. Then /I will not defpair : -amidft the clouds and darknefs of my fate, Heaven yet -{hall vi- Ct me with one bright gleam of hope. : CAPT. D. 'Yes, we /hall ftrll be happy; I feel iny fpirits lighten j my love to you is not a brutal heat; 'tis founded on the graces of your mind; brighten'd, but not blinded, by the charms of your perfon. I have no part to act; to Dormer, to my father, to the world I will avow my claim;; I'll feek your brother, join 'him in dragging forth to -light this dark Myfterious hu&and. 'To this I pledge my word; till this be done, however painful the fuf- ,.pence, however dear the facrifice, I am-your friend, not hufoand. Come, come then, thou foft affliction, Jjaiet thy diftrafted thoughts all things will yet be Veil. End of -the .Second -A C T. A ,C T JIL fcnter Lord Davenant and Pagft. ;LoRD D. T Tell you, 'tis impoflible. 'lam be- A fet, envbay'd ; broad, full-fac'd in- famy ncwilafes upon me. If all the daemons that fere Jeaxu'd i;i mifchief fate in -council for my refcue, Hell and its advocates hjtve n refoiwce to ward off nur dctcaion. 3 6 The Myfterious Hufland. PAGET. I would have had you thought of this before. LORD D. Prythee forbear reproach! my own heart is fufficient for that office. Where is my Lac'y ? PAGET. In her chamber. LORD D. Alone? PAGET. I think To. LORD D. Would fhe were m her grave ? I'll think of that the fight of Marrianne, the glimpfe I fnatcht this morning of her beauties, fatal altho' it be, has ftir'd the flame afrefli: it burns within me; horror cannot quench it j Dormer's return, his pre- fence, his reproaches can't extinguifh it j not even his fword, tho' it transfixed my heart. But I forget to aflc you what intelligence you've gather'd, Am I discovered ? is my name out in the affair ? PAGET. I do not find. it is; and if yo,u wifh il fliould not, you mult take inftant meafures with Sir Harry Harlow and his fervants j his equipage is known by many, and will lead difcovery to you. LORD D. To him you mean and that's to me, Can I fet him in front, and fkulk behind his friend- fhip like a coward ? will he permit it, think you? No can I ? there's no evalion left now, what's jour bufmefs ? Enter Servant. SERV. My Lord,, Sir Edmund Travers is be- low. LORD. D. Admit hirm doating blockhead ! blind fool .' that carmot fee the Sun at noon, for that is not more glaring in it's full meridian, than the apparent mifcry that he is author of begone [Exit Paget. Sir Ectmond Travers. Stu EDM. My Lord, I've news for you. LORD, D. Droraer^s arrived. SIR The Myfienous Hujband. 37 SJR EDM. How your wit jumps! LRD D. I've news for you. A fecret ; but you'll keep it. SIR E;JM. Oh ! upon honour J LORD D. Nay, as you will, for this it is we "are two forry knaves. SIR EDM. Who! you and I? LORD D. Exactly fo : a pair as perfect as ini- quity e'er match'd. We trick'd this marriage neat- ly ; did we not ? fine cheats, to pafs thefe letters off upon your niece and Dormer neat forgeries they were ; and precious gulls the lovers, to be trapp'd fo readily. But you are fecret now ; tru* to the gang j you did not blab this to Lady Davenant? SIR EDM. What do you mean? I blab it! I to Lady Davenant ! LORD D. You. If you dare, deny it. SIR EDM. Deny it! no, I cannot abfolutely deny it ; but who could think ftie would be fool enough to broach it ? LORD D. The firft that broach'd it was the fool. You've fet the mifchief running ; now drain the bitter cup of your affliction to its loweft and its fouleft dregs. Dormer fhall know the plot, which hand in hand we've praftis'd to deceive him. The paflion which was dead in him fhall rife again : I'll urge them on, inflame them to renew'd defires; and, when their ftimulated hearts rufli to forbidden tran- fports, then, in that guilty moment, you and I, like brother villains, will fteal in with fiient (leps, and feaft upon the ruin we have made. SIR EDM. Gii horrible! you'll not do this. LORD D. Why not? fuch true-bred fons of wickednefs as we are, have a luxury in mifchief. What do you care : you hate your niece ; I exe- crate my wife. SIR EDM. Why you are mad fure; ftark mad and raving. I hate my niece ! you execrate your wife! I thought you were the fondeft pair on earth; an4 for my niece ! - D LORD D. 38 The Myftcrious .Hujband* tLoRD D. You ftole her from an honeft ppan, and fold her to a Lord. Now get you home : weigh thefe things well in .your difcerning mind ; put truth in one fcale, titles in the other ; and, when you've ftruck the balance, come and compare accounts with jue, and. we'll divide. the gains. [Exit, Sir Edmund gravers. SIR EDM. 'Tis as I faid : the man's beflde him- felf ; out of all line and compafs of right reafon : -I faw it in his eyes: the moon's' in the mad quarter. 'Tis jealoufy of Dormer: ihser downright jealoufy, and nothing elfe : foregad, and that will do't as foon as any, thing. He faid he'd tell the plot to .Dormer, make them both defperately in love afreih, and put them together j a proof of jealoufy : he faid, he execrated his wife ; a proof he loves her : and wjat are .love and jealoufy but madnefs ? ho.w his poor brains are tumbled topfy-turvy .' I pity him at my heart. I muft look fharp, and watch this JDormer clofely* ,if I difcover them at their oid tricks, I fhall make bold to read this niece of mine a good round lefture: when fo many heads are gone aftray, 'tis lucky for the -world that fome folks have .their v.'its about them. [Exit. Lerd Davenant returns. LoRD-D. I will not live in torment; nor fhall the preaching of pedantic churchmen fetter this free fpirit in his body, when it is wc?ry of its prifon. What know they of an hereafter more than we, who never prov'd it ? all is (peculation in futurity; and he that travels on in mifery, in the hope or fear of what fliall meet him at his journey's end, gives up his reafon for a dream, a-nd follows a blind guide he knows not whither, and he knows not why. Etf'-ff The Myfterious Hit/band. 39 Enter Lady Da<venant. LADY D. I interrupt your meditations. LORD D. You fhall partake of them Come, I jTiall probe your fpirit ; I ihall bring you to con- feflion ere we part : iY it not a miferabJe life we have pafs'd together ? is it nor a curfed one ? LADY D. It might have bee more happy. LORD D. How? what can make harmony of cUlcord? how can two hearts be brought together, that fo widely point afunder ? will the weak bands of marriage drav them nearer? No, we were made by Heaven fo adverfe and unlike in our original conftruftion, that we may fafely fet the rubrics at defiance, and without more procefs, part. LA YD. Part! LORD D. For ever.' LADY D. On what plea? LORD D. The beft and faireft mutual aver- Aon. LADY D. Of what can you accufe me ? LORD D. Of hypocrify, if you perfift to live w.ithme: who harbours with the thing he hates? what creature mates with its oppofite ? Nature pro- tefts againft it. You hate me : come, I know you do, and you have caufe. LADY D. Remove that caufe: break off from thofe bad courfes that degrade a mind not naturally degenerate: 'twill be a worthier feparatkm, a more laudable divorce than from an unoffending wife. LORD D. What if I did, you cannot love me. LADY D. Try: there is virtue in the expert ment at leaft. LORD D. You love young Dormer; in your foul you love him ; what your fooli/h uncle has ber tray'd, endears him to you more than ever : what I now /hall tell you, will augument that augmentation, and inftame affection into phrenzy. LADY D. Stop then in time. By every facred' name I charge you to forbear : let me be miferable, but do not make me guilty. D z LORD D. 4O The. Myfterious Hit/land. LORD D. I mean to fave you both from mifery and guilt ; I have convers'd with Dormer ; he adores you : defeated in his hopes, difmifs'd, and by our artifices us'd molt hardly, ftitl he perftfts to love you. Nay, the deluded generous youth, be- caufe I am your huiband, even en me devolves his friendlhip and affection : tenders to me the e*ecu- tion of his will folicits me (oh wond'rous teft of confidence !) to take the guardianfhip of Marianne. LADY D. Aftonifhing.' LORD D. Yes, 'twere aftoniihing, if you knew all. [dfide.] Nay, there is more he has bequeath'd you his whole fortune at his fitter's death. Now, what think you of this man ? now, Lady Davenant, how do you feel you/ hart affected by thefe proofs 'W unabating love ? LADY D. Deeply, moft deeply yet not other- wife I hope than as becomes ycur wife. LORD D. Hence with the name! henee with that idle ceremony, to v7hich ou* hdatts were never pledg'd ; which nature cancels, reafon difavows, amd we both execrate religioufly ? go where you* heat't invites you: go to Dormer j with him you \ill be bleft : with me each day, each hour will aggravate your wretchednefs. LADY D. Can you be ferious ? LORDD. As death. The bitter moments you fcave pafs r d are fweet to thcfc that mufl inevitably follow. L*DY D. My Lord, my Lortf, you put too much upon me, when you urge me to a deed of fuch difgrace. Your cruelty will flier* !y bring ire W my grave, then you'll be freie ; but if the pro- cefs be too flow for your impatience, draw forth yowr fword ; I'll fooner meet its point, than be the jilty thirfg that you would make me. LORD D. Curft be thefe peevifh fcruples! By the Power that made me, if you will not accord to my propofal, 1 will render life your torment ! and fto that bubble reputation, which you prize fb its wonb, I'll- Waft it thro' the world : Hf The Myfterious Hujland. 41 I'll fatten fhame upon you ^ it fliall haunt you like your fhadow : ridicule fliall dog you at the heels : abufe and (lander bark at you like hounds, and tear that virtue, which is but a cloak, to nakednefs and rags : and when I've render'd you thus loathfome to behold, I'll take you at your word bury my fword in your relentlefs breaft, and after plunge it in my Own. LADY D. Alas, my Lord, I pity you, and feel more terror for your defperation than my own dan- ger. There muft be fomething horrid in your mind, more than you have yet difclos'd. LORD D. Perhaps there is, and 'tis ia pity that I call upon you now thus earneftly, thus for the laft, time, to fave yourfelf. 'Tis not by nature I am cru- el ; one difhonourable deed, the impulfe of a guilty paffion, has diftorted all my actions. I would con- fide it to you, for I hold you worthy every facrcd truft, but [Page* Enters-. Hah ! he is come ? bid Captain Dormer enter. LADY D. Dormer again ! then let me go. LORD D. No, you muft ftay ; by all that's &- cred, you fliall not depart. LADY D. Support me. Heaven! and witneft for me, that I did not leek this interview 'Tis he, [Enter Dormer ; feeing Lady Davenant, he ft arts. LORD D. Stand not amaz'd, but enter: flic whom you feek is here : the faded form, that once you thought fo fair, is prefent. Approach ! DORM. Yes, if my limbs will bear me Oh J to each fenfe moft dear ! thou beft of women ! [Advances to her. LORD D. Add too, unhappieft! LADY D. Save me j fupport me> or I faint. [Dormer fupforts her in his arms, DORM. Help, help, my Lord ! flie faints. LORD D. Alas! my touch will murder; be it your taflc ; your right is preferable -, for you fhe lov'd, me fhe only aurried. D 3 DORM- 42 The Mytfterhus- Hujband. DORM. Can you look on unmov'd ? LORD B*. How fhould you know what motes and pafTes here ? I am the author of this interview: It is the tribute of atonement. 1 am the man who counterfeited that letter that difmSfs'd you from your hopes : the fliip my intereft procured for you-, my jealoufy provided Now, if you wifli deftruclioa to your fitter, give her in charge to me. DORM. To infamy as foon. Return,, and meet your deatM. {Lord Dawnant is going. LORD EX Before you take my life, recover her's : when you've done that, I fliall be found: jnean time I leave with you my pledge. [Exit. LADY D. [recovering] What's that? where am I? ah.' [looting on Dormer, Jhrieks.] O Dormer, Bormer .' DORM. Speak to me: unload your burthen'd ~heart : be candid to .a friend, whofe very foul is your^s LADY D; I had- deterrain'd never to have feen you more. DORM. O exemprary woman !' even that I could }iave borne, had you been happy ; but that morifter ftall not live. LADY D'. Hold, hold! you muft not draw your fword upon Lord Davenant. DORM. Not draw my fword ! my wrongs and your redrefs will fanftify revenge : 'twere criminal to let him live. LADY D. What! fhall I be a party in the af- faffinatioR'of myhufband? I tell- you, Dormer, if you ever draw your fword upon him, from that mo- ment I renounce you ; never will I fee you, fpeak of you, or in meditation call you to remembrance, but with horror. DO'RM. Not when he dares me to it ? LADY D. Never in any cafe, by any call or provocation, if you have love or pity for me left. DORM. If I have love! oh, if the awful pre- fence of ycur virtue did uot check my tongue, I fhould hav$ told you at your feel my uncontroll'd affe&ion. The Myftcrious Hufband. 43 a/Feftion. If I have love, Louifa .' notwhhftanding vour fuppos'd unkindnefs, fpite of all the artifices pruftis'd to eftrange you from zne, my unaher'd heart has ftill beenyour's- to the world's utinoft limits I have carried your beloved image, the companion of each day, and the vifion of each night : to the ve- ry gates of death it has attended me ; it has chear'd rue in ficknefs, cover'cl me in battle, and been the guiding ftar, by which I ftiSQ'd my courie. LADY D. O Dormer, was it light affliction to a heart like mine to be deprived of all it held moft dear? In the moment of my difappointment, when you, as 1 believed, renounced me, and departed yithout explanation, in that agony and conflict of my ttiind did they affail me. urge, compel me to a mar- riage with Lord Davenant. Why ftiould I accufe him of unkindnefs? What could fuch a match pro- duce but mifery ? the efforts that I made to pleafe him, though they coft me dear, could not impofe on his fagacity ; the labour'd talks of duty poorly coun- terfeit the genuine glow of love. DORM. Now then, Louifa, fince your tyrant muft efcape unpunifli'd, what do you refolve On ? when he has left you to the world, where will you feek a faelter ? LADY D. Where can I fhefeer, but in my far- mer afytum ? DORM. Go to the wretch' that fac-rifictd youf No: what is this rigid arbiter, propriety, by whofe decrees you are thus blindly govern'd ? what is this worldly idol, to whofe bloody altars we muft offer up our lives ? LA DY D. What would you have me do ? where would you have a wretched wife refort ? DORM. Is fhere no friend, whofe faithful- heart is your's?- what have I done, that I muft be a fe- corid time excluded? I have a fifter: may not fhe receive you r my fortune now is ample oh, re- fkft upon my futfefings, give me what honour caa bellow I aflc no more. LADY D. What fhall 1 fay ? DORM, , 44 The Myftenous HufbanJ* DORM. Do you ftill love me ? , LADY D. O Dormer, do not prefs me. DORM. Nay, but refolve me leave me not in doubt my life is on your lips j filence will be my doom : I die, if you forbid it not. LADY D. Heaven and its blefTed angels guard your life .' DORM. Do you ftill love me? LADY D. Dearer than life ttfelf, DORM. Give me a noble proof. LADY D. What wou'd you have me do? DORM. Thus, thus for ever let me clafp you to my heart ! here let me hold you, This be your afyluui! deftin'd for each other, wedded in our fouls, Heaven, that has re-united us, now fanftifics our privileg'd embrace. Spoil'd of my heart's bcft treafure, thus, my Louifa, by that dear lov'd name, thus, thus I claim thee : now no tyrant hufband, n bafe fordid uucie iLall divide us more. Enter Sir Edmund Trovers, unferceiv'J. SIR EDM. Say you fo, Sir? I'll try that point with you however O fcandal to your family 1 i. this a fituation for a wife to be found in ? LADY D. No, I confefs it j your reproof is juft. SIR EDM. Well, Sir, and this is honourable COnduft, Ifuppofe. [fo Dormer.] DORM. Srr Edmund Travers, I wou'd recom- mend it to you to keep your own temper, and not praftife upon mine too far : And let me tell you, i>ir, there is a mean and tricking quality in all you do. When hearts like ours are rent afander by de- vice and cunning when forgery's bafe artifice is caJPd in aid to feparate affeftions, they will meet again, in fpite of Hell itfclf: And if you have ftolen by furprize upon that tender moment, when the tnoft rigid virtue foftens to endearment, beware of falfe conclufions; nor from the foulnefs of your own imagination, judge of ours. The Myffenous Hufb&nd* 45 SIR EDM. Fine talking ! but as I have not out- liv'd my fenfes ; am in ppfleffion of my eyes and ears j and have unluckily feme intereft in the repu- tation of my own niece, I fhall take the liberty of appealing to Lord Davenant againft fuch proceed- ing. DORM. Madam, I do be&ech you, undeceive your uncle ; I fufpefl he does not know the treat- ment you receive; he could not elfe thus obftinately perfift to ruin you. LADY D. Leave us together then, and I will fpeak : retire into that room- nay, I requeft you will. [Exit Dormer.] Now give me patient hear- ing: 'tis not from confcioufnefs of guilt, nor to avoid a fair difcuflion of my fentiments for Cap- tain Dormer, 1 wou'd wiih you to defift ; but from a knowledge, which you have not, of Lord Dave- nant's difpofition. You think him a kind hufband : becaufe I've troubled you with no complaints, you think I've none to make : you are in an error j and fo long as error caus'd content, I left you in it; now that it would lead to mifery, I warn you of its danger. My Lord and I are upon the point to part: hitherto he has no fhadow of complaint againft nie ; if you refolve to give him one, give this, re- port this indifcretion, fwell it into criminality ; per- haps he'll thank you for the office ; but the-time will come, when you'll reproach yourfelf. SIR EDM. And this you think will blind me; you miftake, I fee your drift j I know you are unhappy with your Lord, but I alfo know it is your attachment to Dormer, and his return that maJce you fo ; Lord Davenant told me fo himfelf j *th fault is all your own ; you have driven him mad. Now therefore, if you will folemnly engage your word to me never to fee Dormer again, I'll tbfi-e what is paft ; I'll ftill acknowledge you, protett you ; and if Lord Davenant then abandons you, I'll receive you in my houfe Now what do you fay ? J put you to the proof. LADY D. 46 The Myfteriws HnJIand* LADY D. 'Tis- fairly offer'd; but if every earthly comfort was in your difpofd, and they cou'd only be obtain'd by my renouncing abfolutely and for ever all future friendly intercourfe with that much injur'd man, I' wou'd reject 'em on fuch terms: when I've faid this, I muft implore you not to pafs unfair eonftrufb'ons on my refolation ; for if you can ftill fufpeft me-, I will pledge my honour to you, never to receive his vilits, but in yours or other company : will that content you ? SIR- EDM. No, no, my Lady, nor cajole me neither; you'll not put out my eyes' wilh duft ; No- thing but abfoluie renur.eia-tkm of that villa-in will ferve me. LADY D. Villain! do you call him villain*? SIR EDM. You'll find him fuch to you, incor-- rlgible ! nay, 1> can now perfeade myfelf you- have. LADY D. To my Lord then with what difpatch you pleafe. Here comes your judge ; prefer your charge againft me ; I'll abide it. Enter Lard Daveftanf. Sm EDM. 'TJs well you are come, my Lord: Ihope you will give me now a patient hearin . LORD IX With fuch attention as a man, not over-ftor'd wkh patience, can command, I am prepar'd to hear you : When kit we met, you- took aie in a hafty moment ; if I have offended you, knpute it to infirmity, and now- proceed. SIR EDM. So, fo ! he's quiet now; his phren/y comes by fitsj [Ajide.} When I beftow'd this lady's hand in marriage to your Lordih-ip, I had hope 1 gave you what would make your life a happy one ; had it prov'd otherwife, I trufted that the fault wou'd not be hers; for ihe was born of worthy pa- rents, carefully brought up, and educated in the habit* of obedience. LORD D. So much by-way of preface j now to the point, SIR *Tbe Myficrioits Hujland* 4; &R EDM. Tho' five is under the dominion of a hufband, fti!!, as her uncle and her guardian, J am interefted in her condu& ; and. when I meet her on the road to ruin when I furprife her lock'd in the embraces of a lover 1 hold . it point of ho- nour thus to bring her face to face, and put you en your guard. LORD D. Lock'd in the embraces of a lover I of what lover ? SIR EDM. Dormer. LonoJD. Do you all him a Jovcr ? Six EDM. Can you make that a queftion ? was he not ey.r fuch ?-s you know he was. She'Jl not deny.it ; quqftion her yourfelf. .LORD D. I will not trouble you, Madam, with many interrogatories: be pleafed to anfwer plainly. It is objected to you by your uncle that you love young Dormer. LADY D. I have caufe. SIR EDM. Aftoniiiing aflurance J Have not I forbade you ? LORD D. Be patient, if you ; pleafe. You loved him before you married me. LADY D. I own it, LORD D. You was trepanned into a marriage; not only forgery was employed, but force. Had^ you been left to choofe, you would have chofenT Dormer preferable to all mankind ? LADY D. I fliould. LORD D. And was I now to die ? LADY D. I beg you not to put that queftion ? LORD D. I fliall forbear: It does not need an tnfwer. Why, what a criminal you make yourfelf, Sir Edmund'.'- You an uncle! you a guardian I you to confpire and league againft ft \vard, whofe happinefs you had in charge! -For my ftiare in the fraud, 1 do repent it from my foul; "but have fpme excufe; her beauty, fortune, were temptations in my way ; ambition, avarice, ciefires mi^ht urge me on : mine was an interefted bafe'iefs, yours a natural depravity I $13. 48 The Myfterkiis Hujland. SIR EDM. Heyday? the fit's returned ; you are mad again : one and all mad. 'Tis the diltemper of the times j it runs through the nation ; hellebore can't ftqp it. LORD D. Fly then 'before the infe&ion catches 'you j keep the fmall wits you ha.ve at home, nor thruft yourfelf into the fphere of our infanity. When did you ever hear that interference between man and wife was thankfully received, or profitably anfwered any ufeful purpofe ? SIR EDM. A word with you, madam, before we part : Whatever happens, don't come near my doors j look not for your afylum there. [Exit. LORD D. Ridiculous old dotard ! Suffer me to lead you to your chamber, your exhaufted fpirits mult demand repofe. Give me your hand. End of the Third ACT. ACT IV, .S C E N E on Apartment in Lord )ayenanf s fJtufe. Charles Davenant and Dsrmer. DAV. T HAVE now, Captain Dormer, told JL you without referve the whole, as it has tpafs'd between your fitter and myfelf, to the jnf- nuteft circumftance ; and I wait your anfwer, with- out forefeeing what that may be ; for hitherto your filencc has been fuch as gives no light to gue(s ^.t your 9pinion. DORM, I have heard yotir ftory with the deepeft attention, for it involves the fortune of an or- phan fifter, in whofe happinefs I am clofely intereft- ed and of whofe repuialion I am the rightftil pn>- left or. DAV. Tfo Wjfterious Wt(/ban&. 49 '15 A v. 'IF you find any ciufe of djfcontent in. triy'proceeding, tell it me. DORM. I tiud no caufe whatever for complaint ; but many, many proofs ~ I find 1 of generous manly honefty ; and -thus with open arms I take you to mjr heart, and lodge you there till it fliall ceafe to beat. When .I've faid this, I muft confefs to you there are Come painful incidents in your rela- tion. My filler's marriage in Flanders I muft con- iider as precipitate and ra& ; the evidence of Brooke's difeafe -at Paris was too readily admitted ; and the now dilirefsful ftate of your engagement might have been avoided by thofe obvious precau- tions which .your interest pointed out. Your mar- riage alfo is clandeftine j fuch are rarely happy ; and tho' Lord Davenant-'s ocnfent would be no re- commendation of it to me, inethinks it fhould have ,fceenn indifpenfablej>reUnimary to you. .DA v. I feel- the force of all you fay. The yehe- -mence of my affedion may have out-flept pru- deuce, and my want of confidence in my father may have, violated duty, .bin towards your lovely filler I .Should hope I (land without reproach. DORM. .1 cannot doubt your honour, and you'll fuffer me to add, ihere does not live a man on earth I fheuld be fo proud to caH my brother. Here we muft paufe till we have trac'd the villain out who has abus'd her confidence, and by a feign'd deceafc plung'd ner and yxu in this, diitrefs and. doubt; no felf-indulging paffion muft be fuffcr'd to complete the yet fufpeudsd marriage this, promife.you will nuke ? DAV. And keep religioufly As for difcevery, his equipage I hope will -lead to that. DORM. Perhaps it will^ If that fliould be Hhe cafe, remember, Captain Davenant, 'tis to me uuft account. Now I'll go-to myrfifter. iDA v. JC*o fo : I ara fure I need not warn you to fpeak tenderly to Marianne : commend me to her, cheer lier gentle (jpirits, and affuage, if po/IiLle, her anxious thoughts m this uneafy crifis. E DORM. ^o Fbe Myfterious DORM. I'll do my beft ; but Itill my heart fc heavy. 'Fare you well! {Exit. Enter Lady .Da<venant. ; LABY D. Was not that Dormer ? JDAV. It was. LADY D. You have told -him of your mar- riage ? DAV. Ihave. LADY. D. Well, andhow pafs'd it ? I'm impa- tient to be told that you at Jeaft are happy. DAV. Happy ! alas LADY D. What ails you? what has difconcert- ed you ? you have no niifunderftaoding fure with Dormer ? DAV. With Dormer none. LADY D. Your father then ? DAV. I have not feen him: this it. is : - 1 told 3 r ou Marianne had made a former marriage in Flan- ders .; that -her hiifband after three \months left her, \v~ent to Paris, and there died. She thought herfelf a widow ; till this morning after I had left you, and with tranfpojt flew to embrace my bride, I found her bath'ti in tears and agoniz'd with grief; the impoftor had de-ceiv'd her; he was Jiving j flie had feen her hufband. LADY, D. ,-Oh horrible! her ; hufband living! r-^how have you fup.ported it ? what is become of her; of Dormer? where will this affliction end ? DAV. I fetoow not ; I am now in fearch of the betrayer. LADY D. Have you no clue .to trace him by ? DAV. I. thin-k we have ; and from a circum- irance that I omitted to relate. How now? v.'tat news?, [A~Servant enters, and /peaks aftde to Davenant. LADY D. -Poor Davenant ! how I pity thee ? fare I had weight fufficient of nffljclion. How fliall a forrow-broken heart fupport Cach oyerwhelraing grief? DAV, The Myftcrious Hufband. 51- DAY. '[To the Servant.} Go to your Lady : tell- ner all is well. You'll find .her brother with her Captain Dormer ; take him afide, and tell him. to re- pair to me without a moment's' lols : your diligence lliall be rewarded. Go: make hafte. [Exit Servant . Now the difcovery's out 1 told you Marianne had feen her huiband ; his chariot palling her window was ftopt by accident in the ftreefj- the mob and clamour ufuai on fuch occasions attra&ed her notice and that of the neighbours : my fervant novr informs mo 'twas the equipage of Sir Harry Harlovv. LADY D. What do you fay? Sir Harry Har- low's ! no ; it mult not be. Revoke that word. DAV. Revoke it! why fhould T revoke- it ? no, I'll drag him to detection. LADY D. When did that pafs, do you fay ? was it, this morning, after you faw me ? DAV. It was: I told you that before: what, interefts you fo deeply for Sir Harry Harlow ? LADY D.' What interefts rne ! what ! O Charles forbear to queltion me it flabs my heart : \ do befeech you leave me to myfelf : - It turns my bruin. Give uw a minute's recollection". [Walks afide, DAV. Now by my foul, 'tis very ftrange : it flaggers me. Sufpicions force upon me : nothing is more evident than her diforder : it fmote her like a ftroke of deatk nay, 'tis moil palpable : her , eyes are flaring wild with horror. Ah ! 'tis fo ; fhe.loves- him. Curfe upon him ! he has prevaiPd with her too.- Heavens f what a character is overthrown ! [Afidt. LADY D. Charles, Charles, you muft be patient in this bufincfs. Do not truft your information too implicitly f nor hurry on an explanation that you may repent of. , DAV. Muft I be patient, Madam? muft I 'per- mit the direft villain to furvive ? and do you plead for him? no, if my honour was not pledged to Dormer not to take up this affair, without him, by my foul a moment fhou'd not pafs before my. fword Ihou'd make its paflage to the traitor's heart ! E * LADY 52 The My/urhus Hujfand. LADY D. What traitor's heart? you rnuft not call him traitor. DAV. Amazement! Lady Davensnt, ypu con- found me' : -'tis too flagrant. Have J not proof cer- tain ? LADY D. No, no; I tell you, wretched man, you have no proof and when you' have- DAV. What then !-^wiiy then I'd drag, him from the altar : ftab him, t'ho 1 ' ycur fond anus protected him. LADY D. You don't knew wilarymr fay. DAV. 'Tis you that' fay you know not what ,~~ 3 t\s you, alas ! wh'om this corifuficn painfully betrays ; , you, 'whom a fatal weaknefs forces to protect the blacked of mankind. By Heaven that gave me life,. J thought you late a miracle of truth and goodnefe : J-approach'd you with a reverence that border 5 d on. idolatry. I leave you now with mournful pity and" regret ; I go, becaufe I can no longer bear to be. Ipeclator of the fall of fuch exalted virtue. [Exit. Lady Davenanf. LADY D. Loft, loft, for- ever left .'-"go-, mifer- afcle youth ; enjoy the refgite of a fliort miftake : the moment that ckars up my innocence, lets lull defpair on th^e : what a tremendous fcene will that : ttnfold J a father hufband l& thy wife ! It muft be' fc- a multitude of circumffances now confirm if; this, this it is that foives the myftery of his unna- ttJi-al conduct: this is the fctent dagger- of his mind r this is his 5 horror : this the in-jury fo unatorreable to; Dormer. The very hour in which he took Sir Har- ry's equipage j his journey to the continent ; his ftay dferoad, and his long fifenee, whilft in abfence from Ate, rife in horrible array, a hoft of witnefles, de- pcfing to the dreadful truth. Inextricable diftrefs f ivftat can be dofte ? I fee no light : Fate labours <K with- mother's parrgs, and the fell babe of horror, iNfll-begotten, prefles to the birth Father of mer- tcs, give me thy fufport! Without there! who AMAntjP Enter The Myftenous Hujband. 53 Enter Servant. Is your Lord ftill at home ? SERV. My Lord is in the library with Sir Harry Harlow. LADY D. Has Captain Davenant been there? SERV. No, Madain, he has this- moment left the houfe. LADY D. Run to my Lord, tell him to give no- body .admittance till I have feen him; and defiro )bir Harry Harjow to come hither immediately. [Exit Servant.] I am npt in the fault: I have not criven him to this, defperate aft. Be witnefs for tne, truth, I have not wilfully occafion'd his difguft, .but ftudied to my utmoft to obey and pleaCb him. If by Sir Harry's means I can hold off this fatal ex- pianaiion, till Lord Davenant takes his meafures, ^n interview perhaps may be avoided that is hprribla to think of 1 fent to you, Sir Harry. Enter Sir Harry Harloia. , SIR H. H. I flew with ardour at your fummons 5. and I await your pleafure, with a heart that throbs to ferve you with a heart, dear Lady, .that caa only ceafe to love, when it fhall ceafe to. beat. ' LABY D. 'Tis well ; I mean to put your friend- fijip to the proof. SIR H. H. Friend/hip indeed! but call it by ^vhat name you will ; my life is yours ; command it to what purpofe you fee fit. ,- . . LADY D. Pray don't miflake yourfelf or me You lent your chariot to my Lord this morning ? SIR H. H. Madam! LADY D. C.ome, come, I fenow you-.did : I faw it at my door : I faw him enter it. SIR H. H. Then I. muft not difpute the point with you ; to any other queftion I yield no anfwer; LADY D. 'Twill be a feryice moft effential to my happinefs, if you v/ill -confei>t to fcreen Lord for a while -, 1 wou'd not put this -on you* E 3 but Myfierious Hufiand* but for mod prefllng reafons j nor do I mean that any rifque or imputation thence ariling fhou'd ulti- mately fail on you : therefore, I do befeech you for an hour or fo that you will be invifible to all enqui- ries, but above all- to Captain Dormer and Charles Da Tenant. Return not to my Lord, but quit this Boufe immediately; and if I might prevail, you ihou'd not enter your own for lome time ; they'll f&ek you there, and if their fury fhaH compel you to an explanation, I nmrfl tremble for the confequer.ces. SIR H. H. Moft amiable of women ! I per- *efve you* drift : you aft too nobly by an undeferv.- ing hulband j but I make no appeal ; implicitly I ihall obey, feecaufe 'tis your command ; and tho' wy life were made the faenfice, what were more glorious than te die for you ? one word, one kind approving Idolc can overpay the purchafe ; grant that before we part, and at your feet I dedicate for ever to your fervice nsy devoted heart. Enter Davenant ha/lily, followed by Dormer. DAV. Vi Haiti, ftafrd \\ty and anfwer me. Now, Dormer, now will you believe me ? H'ave we found you, Sir ? DORM. Draw, wreteh, for I am Dormer. [He dot's trA dr&'w, LADY D. You are mad : or fheath your fword, W pa'fs its murderous point thro' me. DORM. O ftia-me, Hiame, ihame ! and have I liv'd to fee it ? O mortal bk)W to modefty !-^Let there be no fidelity in wSraan, no faith henceforth in man f- 1 Come forth, thou flielter'd coward ! an- fwer with thy life r it is not for thine own efror- rmties alorte, 'tis for fcerS alfo thou mull now ac- count. SIR H. H. I'll anfweY nothing, but to every tittle of your charge to fay 'tis grofly falfe. Settle your own precedencies j I am ready. LADY D- Will you hear reafbn ? Dormer, Charles, 1 do conjure you both, forbear ! SIR The Myftirious Hufban& 55 SIR H. H. Give their rage way: they chufc a notable cccafion in a ladyls j re fence to difplay their valour! DORM. Our Wrongs are fuch as will not bear t!elay ; nor will we truft to one v.; ho can. change names, fliift p-jrfons, counterfeit even death iifelf t4 ruin innocence and mpck avenging juftlce. SIR H. H. I don't know .what you fay j but fuch afiaffin- like attacks, deferve no anfwer, nor ad- mit of any explanation. You, Mr. Dav.enant, know me well; you know I may and will be found;- appoint your place, I.'ll meet you. DAV. Follow us then ! LADYD. Help, help! You fliall not ftir. T his is too iuch v You are deceiv'd ; he's inno- centhelp, help ! {Runs to tht door, ami meets Lord Dwvennnt, Enter Lord Dawenattt. LORD D. What is this uproar? vho has fn'ght- ed you ? Hah ! Dormer here ? Sir Harry, whal has pafs'd ? SIR H. H. Pafs'd, my Lord! nothing i all is myftery to me. C.ORO D. Why did fhe fcream out ? A word with you. [lakes Sir H. H. aftJe. DAV. [To Dermer.] Dormer, contain yourfelf ; there's fomething here that's dark and terrifying: fay nothing to my father ; let us withdraw, and wait below $ there can be no efcape. Nay, follow me, I do conjure you, DORM. O Lady Davenant, reconcile my mind to this rnyfterious comiucl, or break my heart at once. [Exit-ivith Davenant. LADY X>- What then becomes of mine ? it burfts ditiraclecl with o'erwhelming grief. SIR H, H., Look to any Lady. LADY D.. .No, iro ; -regard rrot me 5 1 fliall not fail ; Heave.n fends me ftrength for. my. appointed talk. Let me be private with you. [To Lord D&venant. 56 'The Myfterious Hujband. LRD D. Not for the world : my thoughts are terrible ; I am poflefs'd by fiends flay, and be witnefs to my fhame, whilft I confefs the black ac- compt which I muft pafs with Dormer: I have be- tray'd his fifter ; ruin'd her by forgeries and falfe- hoods, as I did you, Louifa ; married her. SIR H. H. Infamous deed ! LORD D. Yes, Sir, there is rebellion in my blood j his fvvord muft let it out : therefore no more, but let me pafs. [ A$ he is going out, Lady Dave riant flops him, LADY D. Hold, hold ! you muft not ftir". LORD D. What is't you mean? why do you cirofs me thus ? . LADY D. To fave yoa from a meeting worfe than death. , LORD D. To fave your lover from a meeting that may lead to death. Oh.' whiiil you live,. fpeak truth : 'tis lore of Dormer raifes this alarm* Have 1 not found the caufe ? LADY D. No, you've not found the caufe : wou'd that you never could .' SIR H. H. Be caution'd by your Lady, and impute to her concern no other than the pureft mo- tive ; my life upon it, you will find it fuch-. Alas, unhappy man, what treafare have you caft away ? Hear her, confole her, be advis'd by her : recover, if you can, her forfeited efteem. She is a miracle of goodnefs. LORD D. Doft think me fo far funk in honour, as to fhrink from this difcuffion ? Dormer's en- titled to an honourable fatisfaclion, and I fhai? give it him immediately. Before we part how- ever, Lady Davenant, let me own that I am pc 1 - netrated with remorfe tor my conducVto you. Tho* J afk nothing for myfelf, I am' not out of hope that you will caft an eye of pity and protection on that guiltlefs fufferer-,- who, if I fall, will' be the part- ner of yoflr widowhood : ; Hie is young and beau- tiful j and if your influence-over Dormer is exerted The Myfterious Hufbandi 57 in her favour, {he may retrieve the unhappy error into which I led her. Farewel ! LADY D. Yet, yef prevent, him,--" Stay ; /he has a InifbanH. LORD D. W&t"do you teli me? fpeak that won! again. LAD.Y. D. She has a hufband^-^ancl that huf- band how fljall. I pronounce it >" LORD D. Goon: I'll have it, 'tho 7 it breathes, deflruftion. LADY D. That hufband is yotr Ton. LU*D D. Death to my foul ! My fo.fl ! LADY D. Your fon this morning married Dor- mer's filter. LORD D. Why do I lire a moment ? [Lays his Hand on his Sivp*d. SIR H. H. Stop your rafh hand. What phren- xy feizes you ? ' LORD D. Why does the earth not yaw-n and; whelm me ta thje centre?* Oh. what a day of dreadful retribution .' Why w-as this njarriag^- fecret ?- which of you was privy to. it .?-. LA.DY D. I knew it not, nor hat}! fufpicion o.f- it: few hours are paft .fince he tlifclcs'd it to me. LORD D. Fatal cpnceajmenl ! homble ev^htt, O God, O God, into what mifery hav* I. plung'd my fon ! Does he know w-ht 1 liave done ? . Si, a H. H. Nor he nor Dormer know it- take- this comfort alfo' to you* heart j it is as yet a mar- riage but in form: the day is not yet paffed, in, which their hands were join'd.- r-Heaven.-in k* Vengeance has reniien\ber ! d mercy., LORD D. Call my fon here diredly. LADY D. There let me. interpofe .again. Take a fhort time for ferious meditation: we will aflift. your thoughts. Your friend here has already ftruck one fpark of light amidft your dark defpair ; patient reflection may bring more in view. Perhaps this meeting with your fon, . which you in your mind's prefent 5$ The Myftcrkus Hujland. prefent agitation- are for hafttning, prudence may poftpone. LORD D. Speak on, for there is fomettiing in your voice like comfort j fometfcW that falls upon n>y ear, like mufic in the dead of rrifcht after tiif- trefsful dreams. LADY D. Oh f if a few calm words can lull your ear, think how repentance may afluage your foul : for fo much cf your offence as falls on me alone, I thank Heaven's mercy for its aid, I can forgive it j nay, my Lord, I hare forgiven it. LORD tX. Nay, but you muft abhor me; dark- nfs muft be Jefs oppofite to light, than I to inno- cence : fo loathfome am I to myfelf, I fhou'd defpife the perfon that cou'd pity me. Six H. H. Come to your chamber ; follow your guardian angel where jlie leads you : If I" can ferve you in this melancholy hour, command me; if I am in your way, difmifs me. LORD D. I pray you leave me not I have a thing to tell you It is not known to man; nor can your heart conceive, how dire a deed I've had in meditation : there was a thought (truck' on my mind too terrible for utterance: but fr is paft : this ftroke, that cuts up all refource of hope, cuts' up the bloody purpofe that 2 had' in hand'. And now 1 feel as it were two natures : my good and" e'vil genius feem at ftrife within me j this touches me with human kindnefs and remorfe;. that tears' me with defpair and horror. How it will end I kno\v not ; for all sommand is loft, and my mind r drives like a wreck before the tempeil. Go with* nay Lady Davenanr; ftay by her, I befeech you; I will retire to my chamber. Farewell ! [Exeunf Jr-jerallj . . - End of the Fnrth ACT, ACT Myftcrious Hujband. 59 A C T V. ' An Apartment in .Lord Davenant's Houft. 'Dormfr difcvuered ehne. ,DoRM. f^l^IS near an hour I ha,ve waited here, A and ftill this man appears not. I fhould fufpecl he -had e/cap'd me, if I)avenant had , not pofitively faid, there was no other way for him to pafs but thro' this room. No folitude can be more filent.thsfa the Houfe : -they are in confer- ence ftill. My mind is on the rack ; I am tortur'd with uncettainty? -- He comes T My Lady Ba- venant I Enter Lady Daruenant. .LADY D. Is your friend yet return'd ? DORM. No, Madam; Captain Davenant is not jet come back. LADY D. But you expect him foon ? DORM. With every moment. Has your La- ,dy(hip any thing in . command for him that I can deliver? LADY D. No, Sir : my fervants have my -or- ders, when he comes, to beg that I may fee him an- flantly. [Going. DORM. Stop, I befeach you, for a moment ftep! is it with him alone you will confer ? am I not wor- thy of a word? ,a look ? or will you turn, but .when Sir Harry kneels? LADY.D. Yes; I wou'd turn to Dormer, cou'd .1 fee him. DORM. Am I not Dormer? is he not before LADY 4>o ' The Myfteriws Hujbatid. LADY D. To memory he is prefent, not ta fight. The pifture of him in my mind is clear and fpotlefs, trac'd with benevolence and truth and courage j it beams with candour, and it glows with love. The. picture in my eye is falfe and faded, fmear'd by tome fpurious dawber, patcht, djftorted ; the open ("mile of honour wrinkled to a leer of livid jealoufy a libel, not a likenefs of a man. {E.vif. DORM. Hear only what I have to offer: ftay, and hear me : (he's gone and gives ho ear : un- juft, difdainful ! Hah! by my hopes, her fcorn fha.il be repay'd her paramour approaches * >You<are found, Sir Enter Sir Harry Hai-lo<to. /At laft we are alone ; >and tho' I.find.you under .La- dy Davenant's roof, yet your protedrefs being stbfgnt, that lhall no longer be your lafeguard. SIR H. H. I own I wilVd to have avoided you ; but fince we are met, proceed to ftate your charge. DORM. No wonder you /Kou'd wiih to avoid me, for you have done a bafe unmanly injury to a de- fencelefs orphan ; by a pretended generofity you ftole into her good opinion, married and abandoned fcer. Bafe as this is, there is a meannefs in the aft, that makes it more deteftable than open vHlainy you counterfeited death.; paltry expedient! which not only gives your tongue the lie, but (lamps it en .your life. Draw then ! defend yourfelf ; for 'tis not now a counterfeited death, but the reality, that imift determine one of us. SIR H. H. Take your own courfe ; I fhall re- pel aflault : but firft, by way of caution, hear me : 'Twas once my chance, as it is now, to be call'd out by a rafh angry boy, to anfwer with my fword for an imputed injury to a lady, whom he took on himfelf to proteft. I met him, for his rage was deaf to reafon : being matter of the fword, I foon difarm'd my hot antagonift : when I had given him life, I gave him proof of his miftake : the youth was fa- tisfied. The Myfarious Hujband. 61 tisfied, and fav'd. A fecond inftance may not be fo happy. DORM. I underftand you ; but the proofs, which in this inftance follow'd, now precede our interview. You'll not deny the equipage was your's; that you was in it j that my fifter faw you, cail'd out to you to ftop : you did ; but, looking out, difcover'd her, and baiely took to flight? thefe fads bring home to you unanswerable proof, and leave you nothing but con- feflion and atonement. SIR H. H. This arrogance compels me to an aft, which, in compaflion to your youth, and the misfortunes that hang over it, I fain would have avoided. I draw my fword, not to anfwer to your charge, but to chattife your infultt Still I bear fo little of revenge about me, that if you'll (atisfy my honour with the lead apology, I promife you an hour (hall not pafs before I'll clear my innocence. DORM. That you can never do ; for if by any palliation you could hope to fmooth away your inju- ries to my fifter, ftill their remains a black account of crimes, which nothing but your life can expiate : Thefe eyes have feen you at the feet of Lad/ Da- Venant. SIR H. H. Stop your blafpheming tongue! die, madman, in your error ! [T/iey pafs at each other. Marianne runs in, followed by Dawenant. MAR. Hold, for the love of Heaven .'Charles, Charles, beat down, their fwords! See, fee, my brother bleeds. Charles inter '/>ofe? DORM. 'Tis but a fcratch Stand off ! % MAR. What is your quarrel? Why does he af- fault you ? DORM. Can you aflc that ? has your fright blind- ed you? do you not recoil eft that face ? MAR. I never to my knowledge faw that gen- tleman before. F DAV. 62 The Myftenous Hujband. DAV. I did fufpeft this, Dormer; and on that account I brought your fitter with me. DORM. Have patience if you pleafe Come hither, Marianne, look at that gentleman : Do you forget, or will you not acknowledge your hufband ? MAR. Hu&and! I tell you he's a perfeft ftran- er. DORM. If you fay this from fear, or falfe re- fpect for what may follow to affeft my fafety, you do wrong both to yourfelf and me-: therefore I charge you anfwer me Cncerely and without dtf- guife. MAR. As Heaven ihall judge me I have fpoke the truth. DORM. I'm fatisfied:- Sir Harry Harlow, f Crceive my error j and for fo much as affefts this dy, I fincere.ly *fk your pardon. SIR H. H. So much for one ,of your miftalces ; there is another, which you muft atone for:-. a little patience will clear all ; referve your fpirits for that trial ;- you now conceiye the reafon why iny Lady Davenant interpos'd in my behalf: me knew my innocence, and therefore ftopt your hand ; when you know hers, the fword you pointed at my treaft, take care you turn it not upon your own : lione but the fame defender can preferve yeu. DORM. 1 own, the circumftance of this miftake Jias cleaPd that part of Lady Davenani's conduct ; it only now remains to account why you was found upon your knees before her. SIR H. H. How elfe fhould I approach her? When you know all her virtues, you will wormip too: the prefence of an angel muft demand our knees, But you are wounded, Sir j you bleed. DORM. 'Tis nothing; a mere fcratch ; your point juft glanc'd upon my arm. SIR H. H. 'Tis well it is no worfe. Good ftight to you ! [Going. DAV. Before you go, one word with you, Sir Harry- 1 am certainly inform'd the perfon we are now in f?arch of was in your chariot this morn- ing, The Myfterious Hujland. ing, when an accident ftopt it in the this Lady lives : I demand of you- as a man of ho- nour to inform me who that Perfbn is. SIR H. H. When you take that far granted, Charles, which I have not admitted, and thereon ground a quelHcn I'm not bound to anfwer, you muft give me leave to fay, you have already had the only fatisfafliori I fhall give. I have been once arraing'tj, am now acquitted, and ihall no longer plead to in- terrogatories. DAV. Permit me then to tell you, Si r SIR. H. H. No, tell me nothing fought not to hear ; for I regard you much too well to ftart a quar- rel with you ; rather let me tell you, Char/es, wh?i you {hould hear, and thank me for you and your friend there ha-ve arraing'd a lady perfect in all good.- nefs, conftruing the pureft motives into criminality. I fee her coming, and mall leave you this fair op- portunity, to make atonement : When you have done that, if you have any farther difference to com- pofe with me, I fliall attend your call when, where, and how you pleafe. [Exit. Enter Lady Danjettant. DAV. But that I know your heart, I jhould de- fpair of pardon j fufFer me to hope you will forgive my moft unjuft fufpicion, and receive into your fa- vour my beloved Marianne. LABY 0. This is the Lady if I furvey her for a while with melancholy admiration I fhall not of- fend : is this a form to combat rude misfortune ? that it fhouid enter in the heart of a man to injure (uch a creature? that artifice and wrong might be employ'd to gain her I can comprehend, but that they fh\ould be a refource for leaving her, furpafles wy conception : I find till now Imagination could not reach the guilt of her betrayer. Give me your hand, my* dear, you come into a melancholy houfe : I cannot welcome you as I would wifli. MA R. And caufe there is for melancholy : where- ever I am prefent, it purfues me : I am the bitter F a fountain 64 *The Myfterious Hujband. fountain of your forrow. My fata] Marriage with . this noble youth has been the bane and poifon of your peace I pray you fend me hence ; difmifs me like a thing abhorr'd ; a peltilence, that, if you harbour it, will pay your hofpitality with death. LADY D. Not fo ; misfortune ftr en gt hens your intereft in my heart. You have more claims upon me than you know of. You are (till married in your heart to Davenant j fo was 1 once to Dormer. DORM. Oh! I fliall fink with fhame. LADY D. Had I been, as you are, thus wretch- ed, thus betray'd, nor wife nor widow, but a name- lefs orphan, the fport of villany, affliction's victim you h^d a brother once, in whofe brave heart I fliou'd have raifd that pity you excite in mine. DORM. Oh, plead for me, fome friend ! I dare not fpeak. LADY D. No, Dormer, no: when I forgive, you fhall not owe it to an advocate: but let that reft ; things of more moment prefs. You muft not fee your father, [to Davenant.] . DAV. Why not ? your words alarm me. LADY D. His fuuation would alarm you more: fome ftrange diforder fuddenly has feiz'd him. DAV. Say rath'er fome ftrange paffion of the mind. You told him of my mairiage? LADY D. I did, and he receiv'd it like a ftroke of death} his frame convuls'd with paffion. I muft for ever lament your not confulting him. DAV. Does he refent it highly ? LADY D. We'll talk of that hereafter ; for the prefent you muft avoid an interview. Jf you remain in the houfe, retire to your own chamber, and let her accompany you; take Mr. Dormer with you too Go, my dear child, go with your friend fo you may call him ftill. MA R. My heart's too full to utter what it feels. In the expreflive language of your eyes I read my melancholy fate. Farewel ! [Exit with Davenant. LADY D, The Myfteriws Mujband. $5 LADY D. Well. Sir, you'll follow that unhap- py pair i or do you wait to fpring feme new dejec- tion? Fie upon you ! What blemifh does your fcruunizing eye difcover, that you fo ftedfaftly pe- rufe me over? Oh, that a taint fo fickly as fufpici- on ftould find admittance in a hero's breaft ! DORM, [runs to Lady Da-venant, and fulls at her feet} Hear me, divine Louifa, hear your repentant Dormer : let me kneel for pardon. LADY D. Rife, rife .'this i,s no time for ex- planation. DORM. Stop not my words, .now they .have found their way, but let me pour them and my tear--,, thus kneeling at your feet. Before .my. e/e,s 'lofe fight of you, confirm my pardon; tell roe you for- give what my impatient phrenzy, whjat my rr^ad fuf- picion utter'd Penftence ne'er llruck a human heart more deep than mine. D.sempns have curs'd the fun, I have done more I have arraign'd thjr.^irtuc. LADY D. Rife, I defire you, rife! you bjare my full forgivenefs. DORM. Oh! firft and laft fole objeft of ;/ heart ! how can I thank thee .as I ought ? [Ki/fsfar hand* LADY D. If to regain and keep your place in my afleflion is your wi'h, fpare the attempt to thank me, nor by this warmth of paffion draw .aiide n,/ thoughts from the fad theme that fills them. Tha. 1 : I have lov'd you, Dormer, and ftill love, fuperiot to difguife, accept my free confellion ; but when ex- ample meets me of the precipitancy of paflion in D venant's cafe ; of the deceitfulnefs of gratitude in Marianne's ; I will be guided only by eiteem i andl on your delicacy, on your difcretion in this mourn- ful crifis will depend, if that affection which I novr acknowledge fhall fubfift or ceafe. [Extunf. Enter Lord D&yetuint and Paget, LORD D. The 3,\r is frefher heje ; motion re- ;<ives me. F PA GET, 66 The Mxfterious Hujband. PAGET. I wifh it may: and yet your colour changes; your eyes look heavy, and betoken pain. LORD D. I've wearied them with writing. Take the papers This to my fon ; to Lady Davea- ant this ; and this to Dormer. Ah ! PAGET. What's that? another pang ? and now it fhakes you like an ague fit: pray be perfuad- ed ; let your phyfician be fent for. LORD D. What can he do ? my wounds are in the foul. Give me your arm. PAGET. How cold your hand is on me ! LORD D. No matter: 'twill pafs off. I'm bet- ter now. Make all things ready. I wiil be gone to night. PAGET. How an you travel with tliefe pains upon you ? LORD D. I fhall feel no pains upon my jour- ney. PAGET. I fear, my Lord, you are not lit to , un- dertake your journey. LORD D. I fear fo toa : but, be that as it may, let me have all things ready. Have you put up thofe parchments for my fon ? PAGET." They are in the box, feaPd and di- refted -nor Mr. Davenant. . LORD ). That's very well now tell my Lady that I defire to fee her. A word with you before you go: You will find I have not forgot your ferv ices ; they would have done credit to a better caufe ; but as I have put you above neceflity, I hope I have put you above meanefs alfo. PACKET. It has not been my choice, but my misfortune. I /hall fend Lady Davenant to you, and hope {he will prevail with you to poflpone your journey. [Exit. Lord Davenant. LORD D. My journey mutt" be quickened, not poftponed This medicine works too flowly j-^-but "here's a remedy of more difpitch : -'App^y it then .' Mifery like mine acquits the fuicide ; "when law ftrikes The Myfterious Hujland. 6-7 ftrikes fhort, juftice fliould arm the culprit's hand. The occafion's apt: In death there's but one pang, in life a thoufand thoufand multiplied cala- mities. Now, now I'll do it. Hah! I'm inter- rupted. Enter Lady Da^mr.cfr.t. LADY D. I am told you have been feized with fudden indifpofition ;- what h the matter ? How arc youaffefted? -Are you refolved upoii departing immediately ? . LORD D. i am refo'ved : my mind is gene bs- fore me ; and when I am departed, I ihall bequeath you to your heart's firft choice. LADY D. What do you meditate?- Yo,ur words, your looks are ominous. What was that thing you huddled in your bofom, as 1 entered? My Lord, my Lord, beware of felt" definition ! Your bofom labours, your breath flutters, and your eyes Oh horrible .' what are thefe ghaftly fymp- toms ? LORD D. If any confolation could have rcfcued me, thine would have been the medicine of my mind j thou would'ft have been the faving angel, thou moft excellent, moft injured of women .' But I have fate in council with my reafon, ranfack'd all the refources of my foul, and queftioned every rifing thought, if it could ftiow me hope : -In all my competition-, there is. not one trace ; night and defpair poflefs me, and there is nothing like a ray of iight, fave only what the mortal drug admi- nilters, that now is fapping the fhong-ho!d of life. LADY D. Poifon ! Oh let me fly and bring you inftant help. LORD D. Hold, 1 command you: AfMance is too hie; nor would I fuffer it, if it came. 'Sdeath ! I were a beait without a foul j 1 that have kept my ftation with the higheft, now to fink where infainy won't own me; the outcaft of fociety, the pointing-ftock of fcorn, and feed on offal 68 The Myfterlous Hujband. offal fcraps of pity, thrown by charitable fools, t( comfort me ! it is not to be borne ? " Defpair feized rue, and I took poifon. LADY D. Be not extreme with him in judg- ment, merciful Difpofer .' He comes, but not in confidence : dcfpair compels him. LORD D. I thank you. O Louifa ! beft of woman! if I had confidence to pray, it fliould be for fuch bleffings on your future days, as might redeem and recompence your fufferings pail. And yet I'll ftrive Oh horrible ! it muft not be. My foul is rent with .agony : Methought, as I looked up, I faw a thbuland threatening faces, that forbade my prayer. Oh hide me .in your arms ! .Stand off again .' left I infeft and ftain your purity .with my unholy touch. = Bleft .may you be! thrice bleft in Dormer's arms! May heaven fKower dov/n on your united hearts perpetual harmony and Jove ! And for the hateful barrier of my life^ thus, thus I burft it \Stubs himfelf, and Jhe catches his arm. LADY D. Ah .' LORD D. Let go my arm! my foul is in a Joathfoiue prifon, and this ftroke delivers it. [Stabs again, and drops on one knee, holding t-he dagger Jlill in /ris hands. LADY D. Help! for the love of Heaven, fomc .help ! Enter Davenant and at another door Servant f . O Charles your ! father ha* deftroy'd himfelf. DAV. Merciful God ! he is dying. LADY D. The agonies of death are on him. Aflift me to take him off: 1 can't fupport him; r -' he will die upon the floor. LORD. D. Yes, yes, 'tis over! tell not my fon the caufe till 1 am dead. This was the only kindnefs I could fhew him. I am forry to prefent a fpeftable fo bloody to you both : but poifon v/ork'd too fiuggiflily, nor could I bear its agon iei oh The Myfteriws Hit/hand. 69 oh keep her from the fight of me! fhc conies Enter Marianne, fdlhiued ly Dormer. MAR. What have we here? Oh horrible! what dying man is this? LOR'D D. Oh hide me \ cover me with clouds : I fink, I die 1 - have pity for me, Heaven ! - - 'tis paft. [Dies. MAR. Let me come to him : let me fee his face. 'Tis he ! avenging Heaven ! it is my huf- band. DORM. Lord Davenant your Hufband! com- plicated mifery! DAV. her hufband and my father f LADY D, The Horrid myftery is folv'd. MAR. Then let me die j let my heart burft at once, and bury me for ever in oblivion. LAY D. No, whilft my arms, my friendfliip can uphold you, you fhall never fall. Come from the body, Charles : ceafe to contemplate that bloody object. DAV. Nay, but be filent it K done he's dead I will be dumb henceforth j but have foaie care of me, for if my reafon fails, and not remembering he was my father, I fhould fliock na- ture's hearing with a curfe, twill be the brain's de- pravity, and not the heart's.' LAUY D. Alas, unhappy friends, my fpirfts will not ferve to give you confolation ; but let us pati- ently await, and it wiTl come from Heaven : the fame difpenfing hand, that to the blamelefs bo- fom deals the wound, will in its own good time adminifter the cure. FINIS. E P I- EPILOGUE. SPOKEN BY Miss YOUNGE. TO-night two (ketches we've held up to view, One of the old fchoof, t'other of the new. As for my Lady's portrait, I can't boaft Its likenefs, for the original is loft: In times foregone the colouring might be good, But now it fcarce refembles fle/li and blood : The pencil's chafte but where I would demand, Are the foft touches of a modern hand ? Where the fond Janguifli that our matters fteal ? The tempting bofom that our dames reveal? Where the high plume that fpeaks the -towering foul f Where the bright glofs that varnimes the whole ? The Habit regimental, fmart cockad?, And the neat ankle roguifhly difplayd' ? None* none of thefe a peice of mere ftill life, Where not one feature marks the modern wife. Lay the good dame afiJe and now behold My Lord appears ! Thefe tints are frefli and boJJ j This is the life itfelf. Mark what a grace Beams in his high-born tyranny of face! He breathes j he fpeaks. Cards, harlots, horfes, dice Croud the back-ground with attributes of vice : This, this is fomething like - r thefe colours give Some femblance of a man : 'Tis fo <vjs live. "Tisfo tue look, you- cry behold once more ! The fuicide is wek'r.ing in his gore Ha ! does it ftrike you ? fa,;-', do you ftill cry, 'Tis fi we live? fo live, and fo you'll die. But one word more on Laly Deruenanfs part, We hope 'tis nature ; you believe it Art, Search your own bofoms ; if you find her there Tis well : if not, I wou'd to heaven /he were ! This book is DUE on the last date stamped below fiEC'D LD-UKL UWfflfo 10m-ll,'50 (2555)470 LIBRARY OF CALIFORNIA 1 LOS ANGELES a PAMPHLET BINDER = Syrocuse, N. Y. - Stockton, Calif.