{70}

_Aim_. What knight?

_Arch_. Sir Charles Freeman, brother to the lady that I
had almost--but no matter for that, 'tis a cursed
night's work, and so I leave you to make the best
on't. [_Going_.

_Aim_. Freeman!--One word, Archer. Still I have
hopes; methought she received my confession with
pleasure.

_Arch_. 'Sdeath, who doubts it?

_Aim_. She consented after to the match; and still I dare
believe she will be just. {81}

_Arch_. To herself, I warrant her, as you should have
been.

_Aim_. By all my hopes she comes, and smiling comes!

_Re-enter Dorinda, mighty gay_.

_Dor_. Come, my dear lord--I fly with impatience to your
arms--the minutes of my absence were a tedious
year. Where's this priest?

_Re-enter Foigard_.

_Arch_. 'Oons, a brave girl!

_Dor_. I suppose, my lord, this gentleman is privy to our
affairs? {90}

_Arch_. Yes, yes, madam, I 'm to be your father.

_Dor_. Come, priest, do your office.

_Arch_. Make haste, make haste, couple 'em any way.--
[_Takes Aimwells hand_.] Come, madam, I 'm to give
you--

_Dor_. My mind's altered; I won't.

_Arch_. Eh!

_Aim_. I 'm confounded!

_Foi_. Upon my shoul, and sho is myshelf.

_Arch_. What 's the matter now, madam? {100}

_Dor_. Look'ee, sir, one generous action deserves another.
--This gentleman's honour obliged him to hide
nothing from me; my justice engages me to conceal
nothing from him. In short, sir, you are the
person that you thought you counterfeited; you are
the true Lord Viscount Aimwell, and I wish your
Lordship joy.--Now, priest, you may be gone; if
my Lord is pleased now with the match, let his
Lordship marry me in the face of the world.

_Aim., Arch_. What does she mean? {110}

_Dor_. Here's a witness for my truth.

_Enter Sir Charles Freeman and Mrs Sullen_.

_Sir Chas_. My dear Lord Aimwell, I wish you joy.

_Aim_. Of what?

_Sir Chas_. Of your honour and estate. Your brother
died the day before I left London; and all your
friends have writ after you to Brussels;--among
the rest I did myself the honour.

_Arch_. Hark 'ee, sir knight, don't you banter now?

_Sir Chas_. 'Tis truth, upon my honour.

_Aim_. Thanks to the pregnant stars that formed this
accident! {121}

_Arch_. Thanks to the womb of time that brought it
forth!--away with it!

_Aim_. Thanks to my guardian angel that led me to the
pr