SER. Sir, they were upon alighting out of the coach when I came up. WILD. Quickly, Mistress Wanton; you and your husband to bed; there's the key. Master Parson, you know the way to the old chamber, and to it quickly; all is friends now. PAR. Sweetheart, we'll steal away. WAN. The devil on them, they have spoiled our mirth. [_Exit_ PARSON. WILD. Jack, get you and your company down the back-way into the kitchen, and stay there till we see what this visit means. [_Exeunt_ FIDDLERS. CAPT. Means! What should it mean? It is nothing but the mischievous nature all honest women are endued with, and naturally given to spoil sport. I wonder what fart blew them hither to-night. WILD. Nay, have a little patience, captain, you and Master Jolly must sit quietly awhile within, till we know the cause. CAPT. It is but deferring our mirth for an hour or so. SER. Sir, here's my lady. WILD. Quickly remove those things there. Captain, step in there---- _Enter_ WIDOW, PLEASANT, SAD, _and_ CONSTANT. WID. Nephew, do you not wonder to see me here at this time of night? WILD. I know it is not ordinary, therefore I believe 'tis some design. What is it, Mistress Pleasant? Shall I make one? PLEA. As I live, sir, pure necessity. Neither mirth nor kindness hath begot this visit. CARE. What! is your coach broke? WID. Faith, nephew, the truth is, the sickness is in my house, and my coachman died since dinner. WILD. The sickness! PLEA. Ay, as I live: we have been walking since the play; and when we came home, we found the watch at the door, and the house shut up. SAD. And a constable gone in search of all those that dined there to-day, with order to furnish us lodgings in the pest-house. WID. Are you not afraid to receive us? WILD. As I live, the accident troubles me; and I am sorry such a misfortune should beget me this favour; and I could wish myself free from the honour, if the cause were removed too. PLEA. As I live, Master Wild, I must have been forced to have lain with my servant to-night, if you had not received me. WILD. If I thought so, I would carry you out in my arms, I am so much Master Constant's friend. PLEA. But are you more his friend than mine, Master Wild? WILD. No; but I presume by this he has gained so much interest, as he would not be very displeasing to you. CON. O, your humble servant, sir. PLEA. If I had had a mind to that lodging, I had ne'er come hither; for when I have a mind to it, I'll marry without dispute, for I fear nobody so much as a husband; and when I can conquer that doubt, I'll marry at a minute's warning. WID. No dispute now. Can you furnish us with a couple of beds? WILD. Yes, yes. WID. And have you e'er a woman in the house? WILD. My sister's maid is here. CARE. Madam, if you resolve to do us this honour, you shall find clean linen, and your beds quickly ready. WID. But where will my nephew and you, sir, lie to-night? CARE. O, madam, we have acquaintance enough in the town.