LORD FOPPINGTON. Dear Loveless, adieu; if I die, I forgive thee; and if I live, I hope thou wilt do as much by me. I am sorry you and I should quarrel, but I hope here’s an end on’t; for if you are satisfied, I am. LOVELESS. I shall hardly think it worth my prosecuting any further, so you may be at rest, sir. LORD FOPPINGTON. Thou art a generous fellow, strike me dumb!—[_Aside_.] But thou hast an impertinent wife, stap my vitals! PROBE. So—carry him off!—carry him off!—We shall have him into a fever by-and-by.—Carry him off! [_Exit with_ LORD FOPPINGTON.] Enter COLONEL TOWNLY. COLONEL TOWNLY. So, so, I am glad to find you all alive.—I met a wounded peer carrying off. For heaven’s sake what was the matter? LOVELESS. Oh, a trifle! he would have made love to my wife before my face, so she obliged him with a box o’ the ear, and I ran him through the body, that was all. COLONEL TOWNLY. Bagatelle on all sides. But pray, madam, how long has this noble lord been an humble servant of yours? AMANDA. This is the first I have heard on’t—so I suppose, ’tis his quality more than his love has brought him into this adventure. He thinks his title an authentic passport to every woman’s heart below the degree of a peeress. COLONEL TOWNLY. He’s coxcomb enough to think anything: but I would not have you brought into trouble for him. I hope there’s no danger of his life? LOVELESS. None at all. He’s fallen into the hands of a roguish surgeon, who, I perceive, designs to frighten a little money out of him: but I saw his wound—’tis nothing: he may go to the ball tonight if he pleases. COLONEL TOWNLY. I am glad you have corrected him without further mischief, or you might have deprived me of the pleasure of executing a plot against his lordship, which I have been contriving with an old acquaintance of yours. LOVELESS. Explain. COLONEL TOWNLY. His brother, Tom Fashion, is come down here, and we have it in contemplation to save him the trouble of his intended wedding: but we want your assistance. Tom would have called but he is preparing for his enterprise, so I promised to bring you to him—so, sir, if these ladies can spare you— LOVELESS. I’ll go with you with all my heart.—[_Aside_.] Though I could wish, methinks, to stay and gaze a little longer on that creature. Good gods! how engaging she is!—but what have I to do with beauty? I have already had my portion, and must not covet more. AMANDA. Mr. Loveless, pray one word with you before you go. [_Exit_ COLONEL TOWNLY. LOVELESS. What would my dear? AMANDA. Only a woman’s foolish question: how do you like my cousin here? LOVELESS. Jealous already, Amanda? AMANDA. Not at all: I ask you for another reason. LOVELESS. [_Aside_.] Whate’er her reason be, I must not tell her true.—[_Aloud_.] Why, I confess, she’s handsome: but you must not think I slight your kinswoman, if I own to you, of all the women who may claim that character, she is the last that would triumph in my heart. AMANDA. I’m satisfied.