_Sir C._ [_Alone._] Well played Clifford! Good air and emphasis, and well suited to the trick of the scene.--He would do, if the practical part of deceit were as easy at his age, as discernment of it is at mine. Gayville and Emily, if they had not a vigilant guard, would be his sure prey; for they are examples of the generous affections coming to maturity with their stature; while suspicion, art, and interest are still dormant in the seed. I must employ Blandish in this business--A rascal of a different cast--Below Clifford in hypocrisy, but greatly above him in the scale of impudence. They shall both forward my ends, while they think they are pursuing their own. I shall ever be sure of a man's endeavours to serve me, while I hold out a lure to his knavery and interest. [_Exit._ SCENE II. _An Antichamber._ _Alscrip._ [_Without._] Dinner not ordered till seven o'clock--Bid the kitchen-maid get me some eggs and bacon. Plague, what with the time of dining and the French cookery, I am in the land of starvation, with half St. James's-Market upon my weekly bills. _Enter [while speaking the last Sentence.]_ What a change have I made to please my unpleaseable daughter? Instead of my regular meal at Furnival's Inn, here am I transported to Berkeley-Square, to fast at Alscrip House, till my fine company come from their morning ride two hours after dark----Nay, it's worse, if I am carried among my great neighbours in Miss Alscrip's suite, as she calls it. My lady looks over me; my lord walks over me; and sets me in a little tottering cane chair, at the cold corner of the table--Though I have a mortgage upon the house and furniture, and arrears due of the whole interest. It's a pleasure though to be well dressed. My daughter maintains all fashions are founded in sense----Icod the tightness of my wig, and the stiffness of my cape, give me the sense of the pillory--Plaguy scanty about the hips too--And the breast something of a merrythought reversed--But there is some sense in that, for if one sex pares away in proportion where the other swells, we shall take up no more room in the world than we did before. _Enter a SERVANT._ _Serv._ Sir, Miss Alscrip wishes to see you. _Alscrip._ Who is with her? _Serv._ Only Mrs. Blandish, sir. _Alscrip._ She must content herself with that company, till I have had my whet----Order up the eggs and bacon. [_Exit._ SCENE III. _MISS ALSCRIP discovered at her Toilet. CHIGNON, [her Valet de Chambre,] dressing her Head. MRS. BLANDISH sitting by, and holding a Box of Diamond Pins._ _Miss Als._ And so, Blandish, you really think that the introduction of Otahaite feathers in my trimming succeeded?