LightNovesOnl.com

The Constant Couple Part 21

The Constant Couple - LightNovelsOnl.com

You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.

_Lady L._ Ha! you lent it him for that purpose!

_Colonel S._ Yes, yes, madam, I lent it him for that purpose----No denying it--I know it well, for I have worn it long, and desire it now, madam, to restore it to the just owner.

_Lady L._ The just owner! Think, sir, think but of what importance 'tis to own it: if you have love and honour in your soul, 'tis then most justly yours; if not, you are a robber, and have stolen it basely.

_Colonel S._ Ha! your words, like meeting flints, have struck a light, to show me something strange----But tell me instantly, is not your real name Manly?

_Lady L._ Answer me first: did not you receive this ring about twelve years ago?

_Colonel S._ I did.

_Lady L._ And were not you about that time entertained two nights at the house of Sir Oliver Manly, in Oxfords.h.i.+re?

_Colonel S._ I was! I was! [_Runs to her, and embraces her._] The blest remembrance fires my soul with transport----I know the rest----you are the charming she, and I the happy man.

_Lady L._ How has blind fortune stumbled on the right? But where have you wandered since?--'Twas cruel to forsake me.

_Colonel S._ The particulars of my fortune are too tedious now: but to discharge myself from the stain of dishonour, I must tell you, that immediately upon my return to the university, my elder brother and I quarrelled: my father, to prevent farther mischief, posts me away to travel: I wrote to you from London, but fear the letter came not to your hands.

_Lady L._ I never had the least account of you by letter, or otherwise.

_Colonel S._ Three years I lived abroad, and at my return, found you were gone out of the kingdom, though none could tell me whither: missing you thus, I went to Flanders, served my king till the peace commenced; then fortunately going on board at Amsterdam, one s.h.i.+p transported us both to England. At the first sight I loved, though ignorant of the hidden cause----You may remember, madam, that, talking once of marriage, I told you I was engaged--to your dear self I meant.

_Lady L._ Then men are still most generous and brave--and, to reward your truth, an estate of three thousand pounds a year waits your acceptance; and, if I can satisfy you in my past conduct, I shall expect the honourable performance of your promise, and that you will stay with me in England.

_Colonel S._ Stay--Nor fame, nor glory e'er shall part us more. My honour can be no where more concerned than here.

_Enter_ SIR H. WILDAIR _and_ ANGELICA.

Oh, Sir Harry! Fortune has acted miracles to-day: the story's strange and tedious, but all amounts to this--that woman's mind is charming as her person, and I am made a convert too to beauty.

_Sir H._ I wanted only this, to make my pleasure perfect.

_Enter_ SMUGGLER.

_Smug._ So, gentlemen and ladies, I'm glad to find you so merry; is my gracious nephew among ye?

_Sir H._ Sir, he dares not show his face among such honourable company; for your gracious nephew is--

_Smug._ What, sir? Have a care what you say.

_Sir H._ A villain, sir.

_Smug._ With all my heart. I'll pardon you the beating me, for that very word. And pray, Sir Harry, when you see him next, tell him this news from me, that I have disinherited him--that I will leave him as poor as a disbanded quarter-master.--Oh, Sir Harry, he is as hypocritical----

_Lady L._ As yourself, Mr. Alderman. How fares my good old nurse, pray, sir?----Come, Mr. Alderman, for once let a woman advise:--Would you be thought an honest man, banish covetousness, that worst gout of age: avarice is a poor pilfering quality, of the soul, and will, as certainly cheat, as a thief would steal. Would you be thought a reformer of the times, be less severe in your censures, less rigid in your precepts, and more strict in your example.

_Sir H._ Right, madam, virtue flows freer from imitation than compulsion; of which, colonel, your conversion and mine, are just examples.

In vain are musty morals taught in schools, By rigid teachers, and as rigid rules, Where virtue with a frowning aspect stands, And frights the pupil from its rough commands But woman---- Charming woman can true converts make, We love the precept for the teacher's sake.

Virtue in them appears so bright, so gay, We hear with transport, and with pride obey. [_Exeunt omnes._

Click Like and comment to support us!

RECENTLY UPDATED NOVELS

About The Constant Couple Part 21 novel

You're reading The Constant Couple by Author(s): George Farquhar. This novel has been translated and updated at LightNovelsOnl.com and has already 778 views. And it would be great if you choose to read and follow your favorite novel on our website. We promise you that we'll bring you the latest novels, a novel list updates everyday and free. LightNovelsOnl.com is a very smart website for reading novels online, friendly on mobile. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or just simply leave your comment so we'll know how to make you happy.