The Conscious Lovers

Sealand and Humphrey arrive at Isabella and Indiana’s home, stopping outside the door. Humphrey assures Sealand that the Bevil family has no shameful secrets. In an aside, Humphrey adds that he needs to keep Sealand busy so that Myrtle has time to complete his impersonation of Sir Geoffry.

Sealand knocks on the door, and a boy named Daniel answers. Daniel is not willing to say if his mistress is at home to visitors, but he will get someone who can answer. Daniel lost his last job by revealing that his employer was at home; Sealand jokes that the boy is learning to lie. Sealand gives the boy a shilling, and Daniel invites him in.

Inside, Daniel announces a gentleman, but says it is not Bevil Jr., who calls every day and waits to see if Isabella is home. Charmed by the detail about Bevil Jr., Isabella welcomes Sealand. Isabella is shocked to recognize Sealand as her long lost brother, but does not reveal their connection. Sealand asks to see Indiana, suspecting that Indiana is a sex worker.

Indiana enters and greets Sealand, who claims he has money to deliver from Bevil Jr. Indiana is suspicious. Sealand tries to learn whether Bevil Jr. is having sex with Indiana, but Indiana denies any relationship with Bevil Jr. as her love for him is unrequited. Nonetheless, the way Bevil Jr. supports Indiana causes Sealand to assume a sexual transaction is taking place, so he decides to call off Bevil Jr.’s marriage to Lucinda. Indiana insists that Bevil Jr. is a good person, who saved her from a lifetime of troubles. As an infant, she was captured by pirates, adopted by a kindly pirate, and then betrayed by his brother. Bevil Jr. rescued her from this abuse. Sealand realizes that Indiana is wearing the bracelet he gave his first wife. Isabella reveals that she is Sealand’s sister, and that Indiana is his long-lost daughter. They rejoice and embrace. Sealand approves of Bevil Jr. marrying Indiana.

Isabella brings in Sir Bevil, Cimberton, Lucinda, Mrs. Sealand, Bevil Jr., and Myrtle, still disguised as Sir Geoffry. Sir Bevil and Sealand agree to the marriage of Indiana and Bevil Jr., who rejoice. Sealand tells Cimberton that Lucinda’s fortune is now cut in half, since he must give equal parts to both daughters. The greedy Cimberton decides not to marry Lucinda. Myrtle reveals himself, criticizes Cimberton, and asks to marry Lucinda. Sealand agrees; Mrs. Sealand is glad Lucinda is getting married at all. Bevil Jr. and Myrtle congratulate each other and celebrate becoming brothers. Bevil Jr. ends the play by attributing the happy ending to the characters’ merits and integrity, as well as to divine providence.

Both Epilogues are written in rhymed verse, unlike the rest of the play. This gives the audience the sense that they have left the world of the play, and are now being given the moral that they should take away from what they’ve just seen.

The Epilogue that was spoken on opening night, but not published with the first edition of the play, is delivered by the actor playing Indiana. She criticizes libertinism, disparaging men who are quick to violence and promiscuity. In their place, she holds up Bevil Jr., who uses restraint, love, and honesty to win Indiana and the respect of the other characters. She hopes The Conscious Lovers will convince other people to embrace moral behavior and write plays that enforce and appeal to virtue.

The Epilogue that was included with the published play is also given by the actor playing Indiana. In it, she points out how different her character is from that of other women characters in Restoration plays. The main contrast is that Indiana remains moral after the play, making this character the best kind of wife. The Epilogue ends by insisting that the country will see Indiana the way Bevil Jr. does in the play.