LOVELESS. I grant her all her merit, but—’sdeath! now see what you have done by talking of her—she’s here, by all that’s unlucky, and Townly with her.—I’ll observe them. BERINTHIA. O Gad, we had better get out of the way; for I should feel as awkward to meet her as you. LOVELESS. Ay, if I mistake not, I see Townly coming this way also. I must see a little into this matter. [_Steps aside_.] BERINTHIA. Oh, if that’s your intention, I am no woman if I suffer myself to be outdone in curiosity. [_Goes on the other side_.] _Enter_ AMANDA. AMANDA. Mr. Loveless come home, and walking on the lawn! I will not suffer him to walk so late, though perhaps it is to show his neglect of me.—Mr. Loveless, I must speak with you.—Ha! Townly again!—How I am persecuted! _Enter_ COLONEL TOWNLY. COLONEL TOWNLY. Madam, you seem disturbed. AMANDA. Sir, I have reason. COLONEL TOWNLY. Whatever be the cause, I would to Heaven it were in my power to bear the pain, or to remove the malady. AMANDA. Your interference can only add to my distress. COLONEL TOWNLY. Ah, madam, if it be the sting of unrequited love you suffer from, seek for your remedy in revenge: weigh well the strength and beauty of your charms, and rouse up that spirit a woman ought to bear. Disdain the false embraces of a husband. See at your feet a real lover; his zeal may give him title to your pity, although his merit cannot claim your love. LOVELESS. So, so, very fine, i’faith! [_Aside_.] AMANDA. Why do you presume to talk to me thus? Is this your friendship to Mr. Loveless? I perceive you will compel me at last to acquaint him with your treachery. COLONEL TOWNLY. He could not upbraid me if you were.—He deserves it from me; for he has not been more false to you than faithless to me. AMANDA. To you? COLONEL TOWNLY. Yes, madam; the lady for whom he now deserts those charms which he was never worthy of, was mine by right; and, I imagine too, by inclination. Yes, madam, Berinthia, who now— AMANDA. Berinthia! Impossible! COLONEL TOWNLY. ’Tis true, or may I never merit your attention. She is the deceitful sorceress who now holds your husband’s heart in bondage. AMANDA. I will not believe it. COLONEL TOWNLY. By the faith of a true lover, I speak from conviction. This very day I saw them together, and overheard— AMANDA. Peace, sir! I will not even listen to such slander—this is a poor device to work on my resentment, to listen to your insidious addresses. No, sir; though Mr. Loveless may be capable of error, I am convinced I cannot be deceived so grossly in him as to believe what you now report; and for Berinthia, you should have fixed on some more probable person for my rival than her who is my relation and my friend: for while I am myself free from guilt, I will never believe that love can beget injury, or confidence create ingratitude. COLONEL TOWNLY. If I do not prove to you—