"The Old Bachelor" is William Congreve's first play. It's a comedy and its success is claimed to have been helped considerably
by the performances of 18th century prominent English actress Anne Bracegirdle and actor Thomas Betterton.
The story revolves around the old bachelor,
Heartwell, in the title role. He maintains an attitude of despising women. When Heartwell finally falls in love with Silvia, a prostitute, and is persuaded to marry her, he discovers discovers too late that Vainlove has dumped her as his mistress.
Ned Bellmour, a gallant young bachelor is in love with Belinda. Disguised as a Puritan preacher, he visits Fondlewife’s spouse, who is married to an old banker, to have a good time.
True to his friends, Bellmour saves Heartwell from a disastrous marriage with Silvia, and Heartwell is relieved when he finds out that the person who "married" them (Heartwell and Silvia) is Bellmour, in disguise as a Puritan preacher.
A husband is found for Silvia in the person of a country knight, Sir Joseph Wittol, an old man deceived into believing that he is
marrying Araminta, a wealthy woman. He is fooled to think that Araminta intends to marry him. Wittol's companion, a bully named Captain Bluffe, is similarly deceived into marrying Silvia's maid.
Although he is a little wild, Ned Bellmour is a good young man, and Belinda, whom he loves, is agreeable to marrying him.