_Bev._ Having thus obtained her liberty, I prevailed, not without some difficulty, to see her safe to England; where, no sooner arrived, but my father, jealous of my being imprudently engaged, immediately proposed this other fatal match that hangs upon my quiet. _Humph._ I find, sir, you are irrecoverably fixed upon this lady. _Bev._ As my vital life dwells in my heart--and yet you see what I do to please my father: walk in this pageantry of dress, this splendid covering of sorrow--But, Humphry, you have your lesson. _Humph._ Now, sir, I have but one material question---- _Bev._ Ask it freely. _Humph._ Is it, then, your own passion for this secret lady, or hers for you, that gives you this aversion to the match your father has proposed you? _Bev._ I shall appear, Humphry, more romantic in my answer than in all the rest of my story; for though I dote on her to death, and have no little reason to believe she has the same thoughts for me, yet in all my acquaintance and utmost privacies with her, I never once directly told her that I loved. _Humph._ How was it possible to avoid it? _Bev._ My tender obligations to my father have laid so inviolable a restraint upon my conduct that, till I have his consent to speak, I am determined, on that subject, to be dumb for ever. _Humph._ Well, sir, to your praise be it spoken, you are certainly the most unfashionable lover in Great Britain. _Enter_ TOM. _Tom._ Sir, Mr. Myrtle's at the next door, and, if you are at leisure, will be glad to wait on you. _Bev._ Whenever he pleases----hold, Tom! did you receive no answer to my letter? _Tom._ Sir, I was desired to call again; for I was told her mother would not let her be out of her sight; but about an hour hence, Mrs. Lettice said, I should certainly have one. _Bev._ Very well. [_Exit_ TOM. _Humph._ Sir, I will take another opportunity. In the meantime, I only think it proper to tell you that, from a secret I know, you may appear to your father as forward as you please, to marry Lucinda without the least hazard of its coming to a conclusion--Sir, your most obedient servant. _Bev._ Honest Humphry, continue but my friend in this exigence, and you shall always find me yours. [_Exit_ HUMPH.]--I long to hear how my letter has succeeded with Lucinda--but I think it cannot fail; for, at worst, were it possible she could take it ill, her resentment of my indifference may as probably occasion a delay as her taking it right. Poor Myrtle, what terrors must he be in all this while? Since he knows she is offered to me, and refused to him, there is no conversing or taking any measures with him for his own service.--But I ought to bear with my friend, and use him as one in adversity-- All his disquiets by my own I prove, The greatest grief's perplexity in love. [_Exit._ ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I.--BEVIL, JUN.'S _Lodgings._ _Enter_ BEVIL, JUN. _and_ TOM. _Tom._ Sir, Mr. Myrtle.