[SIR THOMAS, JULIA, and HELEN come forward.]

Come, my mistresses,
You dine in town to-day. Your father's will,
It is, my Julia, that you see the world;
And thou shalt see it in its best attire.
Its gayest looks--its richest finery
It shall put on for thee, that thou may'st judge
Betwixt it, and this rural life you've lived.
Business of moment I'm but thus advised of,
Touching the will of my late noble master,
The Earl of Rochdale, recently deceased,
Commands me for a time to leave thee there.
Sir Thomas, hand her to the chariot. Nay,
I tell thee true. We go indeed to town!

[They go out.]



ACT II.



SCENE I.--An Apartment in Master Heartwell's House.


[Enter FATHOM and THOMAS.]

Thos. Well, Fathom, is thy mistress up?