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 to pay his compliments to the ladies, hurries back again, and, after making several very profound bows to them, follows Withrington into another room.)

Mar. (Imitating him.) Ha, ha, ha, ha!

Ag. Softly, Mariane; let us leave this room, if you must laugh, for he will overhear you.

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Roy. Now, pray compose yourselves, young ladies, and sit down a little. I'll manage every thing: dont give yourselves any trouble; I'll set the whole plot a going.

With. We depend entirely upon you, Royston.

Roy. I know you do, many a one depends upon me, cousin Withrington. I'll shew you how I'll manage it. Jonathan, come here, Jonathan! (Enter Jonathan.) Bring me that screen from the other room. (Exit Jonathan.) We'll place it here, if you please, cousin, and then you and the ladies can stand as snugly behind it, as kings and queens in a puppet-show, till your time comes to appear. (Enter Jonathan with screen.) Come hither with it, Jonathan: place it here. (Pointing.) No, no, jolter-head, nearer the wall with it. (Going behind it, and coming out again.) It will do better a little more to this side, for then it will be farther from the window.