[Gives Charles the Letter.

Lord.  A Divorce! yes, if all my Interest or Estate can purchase it—­ some Joy yet that thou art well.

Char.  Doubtless her Reasons must be great for this Request.

Lord.  Yes, for she lov’d him passionately; when I first told her of my Designs to marry ’em together, she could not hide her Joy; which was one Motive, I urg’d it to him with such Violence.

Char.  Persons so near of Kin do seldom prosper in the Marriage-Bed.

Lord.  However ’tis, I now think fit to unmarry ’em; And as for him, I’ll use him with what Rigor The utmost Limits of the Law allows me.

Char.  Sir, I beseech you—­

Lord.  You beseech me!  You, the Brother of the Villain! that has abus’d the best of all my Hopes!—­No, I think—­I shall grow (for his sake) to hate all that belong to him.

Char.  Sir, how, have I offended?

Lord.  Yes, Sir, you have offended me, and Nature has offended me; you are his Brother, and that’s an Offence to me.

Char.  Is that a Fault, my Lord?

Lord.  Yes, Sir, a great one, and I’ll have it so; and let me tell you, you nor your Sister (for that reason) must expect no more Friendship at my Hands, than from those that are absolute Strangers to you:  Your Brother has refus’d you your Portions, and I’ll have as little Mercy As he, and so farewel to you—­But where’s the Messenger that brought the Letter?

Page.  Without, my Lord.

[Ex.  Lord and Page.

Trust.  Here’s like to be a hopeful end of a noble Family.  My Comfort is, I shall die with Grief, and not see the last of ye. [Weeps.

Char.  No, Trusty, I have not been so meanly educated, but I know how to live, and like a Gentleman:  All that afflicts me in this Misfortune, is my dear Sister Phillis, she’s young; and to be left poor in this loose Town, will ruin her for ever.

Trust.  Sir, I think we were best to marry her out of the way.

Char.  Marry her!  To whom? who is’t regards poor Virtue?

Trust.  For that let me alone; and if you dare trust her to my Management, I’ll undertake to marry her to a Man of 2000 pounds a Year; and if it fail, I’ll be sure to keep her Honour safe.

Char.  Prithee how wilt do this?

Trust.  Sir, I have serv’d your Family these thirty Years, with Faith and Love; and if I lose my Credit now, I’ll never pretend to’t more.

Char.  Do what thou wilt, for I am sure thou’rt honest,
And I’ll resign my Sister to thy Conduct,
Whilst I endeavour the Conversion of my Brother.
                                          [Exit Charles.

Enter Phillis.

Phil.  No News yet of my Brother?