Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/226

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Walt. Aye, so far good; you'll make some furtherance to the plot out of this.

Dart. Some furtherance to the plot! Why this is the plot itself.

Walt. The plot itself! Any simple man in the country might have devised as much as this comes to.

Dart. It does not please you then because it is not intricate. But don't despise it entirely; though the outline is simple, tricks and contrivances to work up the mind of our victim to the state that is suited to our purpose, will enrich it as we proceed; and the Page I have mentioned, provoked by the wrongs of his sister, will be our subtle and diligent agent. Nay, should we draw Valdemere into great disgrace, we may bribe him, by concealing his dishonour, to marry the poor girl he has wronged.

Walt. Ha! this indeed is something like a plot.—And Antonio's marriage with Livia, how is that to be fastened to the end of it?

Dart. Nay, I have no certain hook, I confess, to hang that upon. It must depend on the Baron; for unless he declare Antonio his heir, he will never venture to propose himself as a match for the well-dowried Livia. But we shall manage matters ill, if we cannot draw the Baron into our scheme.

Walt. Then a fig for your plot! It is as bare of invention as the palm of my hand.

Dart. This is always the case with those who lack invention themselves: they are never