Languages & literature > Jealous wife

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AS tV. THE JEALOUS WIFE.
Rus. Sir!
Rus. I won’t hear a word. You shall have him.
[Exit.
Har> Sir !—Hear me !—but one word !—He will not
hear me, and is gone to prepare for this odious mar¬
riage. I will die before I consent to it. You shall
have him ! O that fathers would enforce their com¬
mands by better arguments ! And yet 1 pity him, while
he affli£ts me. He upbraided me with Charles, his
wildness and intemperance—Alas! but too justly-
I see that he is wedded to his excesses ; and l ought to
conquer an affeflion for him, which will only serve to
make me unhappy.
Enter Charles, in a Frock, &c.
Ha ! What do I see 1 [Screamivgi
Char. Peace, my love !—My dear life, make no noise
—I have been hovering about the house this hour 1
just now saw your father and Sir Harry go out, and
have seized this precious opportunity to throw myself
at your feet.
Har. You have given yourself, sir, a grea deal of
needless trouble. I did not expeft or hope for the fa¬
vour of such a visit.
Char. O my dear Harriot, your words and looks cut
me to the soul. You cann’t imagine what 1 suffer, and
have suffered since last night—And yet I have in some
fond moments flattered myself, that the service I was so
fortunate to do you at Lady freelove’s, would plead a
little in my favour.
Har. You may remember, sir, that you took a very
early opportunity of cancelling that obligation. '
Char. I do remember it with shame and despair. But
may I perish, it my joy at having delivered you from
a villain was not the cause ! My transport more than
half inioxicaied me, and wine made an easy conquest
over me. I tremble to think lest I should have behaved
in such a manner as you cannot pardon.
Har. Whether I pardon you or no, sir, is a matter,
of mighty little consequence,