 can it be, after what I have said, that this is a woman of honour? that her brother is a man of the nicest feelings? and that Sir Daniel Dogbolt is on the point of marriage with this woman? No, my lord, it is, as I said, a plot against you; however, thank heaven, armed with a proper confidence in each other, you may despise it.'


'Mr. Standfast has placed this matter in its true light,' said the lady. 'For my part, I am perfectly at ease, and I am sure my lord will thank me for waving all absurd delicacy, and coming to this declaration.'

Here several suitable remarks were made, Mr. Standfast was loaded with thanks, and the most perfect harmony was restored. After this the lady retired to her dressing room, and left the two friends together.
They were no sooner alone than Lord Hazard began anew to compliment and thank Mr. Standfast. That gentleman assured his patron his thanks were more than he deserved; and indeed he spoke truth. However, no one upon earth could have bel eved his conduct to be any other than cordial zeal and sincere friendship; conformable to which appearances, he said he would not leave his lordship till he had made him a firm promise not to see that woman any more, who he must now very plainly perceive was a suborned wretch, to assist in some vile plot against his domestic peace.
My lord did not hesitate to make this promise; for he was charmed with the angel-like conduct of

his lady, and went so far as to say that, seeing the matter now in the same light with the tutor, he felt himself at ease with relation to Sir Daniel Dogbolt, as well as the rest. Standfast hearing this, and being told that his kindness should not go unremembered, went, with the greatest air of satisfaction to seek his pupil.
As the single articles in my account with the reader begin again to be pretty numerous, I shall now, for his satisfaction, add them up, and carry them over. To speak without metaphor, Mr. Standfast please to unmask.
The preceptor then had, in conjunction with Viney, concerted this whole scheme. The masquerade, the playhouse, the interview, and every other part of it, was as regularly digested as the trial of a felon before he comes to the bar at the Old Bailey. Mr. Viney had tutored the gentleman, and Mrs. O'Shocknesy had instructed the lady.
Standfast, however, who had contrived the
