WOFF. And I've a trust for you; poor Triplet's three tragedies. If they are as heavy in the hearing as the carrying---- But here comes your rival, poor Pomander (_crosses to L._). [_Enter Sir Charles, L._] You will join our party at Mr. Vane's, Sir Charles? You promised, you know (_crosses to L._). POM. (_coldly_). _Desolé_ to forfeit such felicity; but I have business. VANE (_as he passes, crosses to C._). By-the-bye, Pomander, that answer to your letter to Mrs. Woffington? WOFF. He has received it. _N'est ce pas_, Sir Charles? You see how radiant it has made him! Ha! ha! [_Exeunt Woffington and Vane L. H._ POM. Laughing devil! If you had wit to read beneath men's surface, you would know it is no jest to make an enemy of Sir Charles Pomander. [_Enter Hundsdon, R._] HUNDS. Servant, Sir Charles. POM. Ah, my yeoman pricker, with news of the mysterious Hebe of my Barnet rencontre. Well, sirrah, you stayed by the coach as I bade you? HUNDS. Yes, Sir Charles. POM. And pumped the servants? HUNDS. Yes, Sir Charles, till they swore they'd pump on me. POM. My good fellow, contrive to answer my questions without punning, will you? HUNDS. Yes, Sir Charles. POM. What did you learn from them? Who is the lady, their mistress? HUNDS. She is on her way to town to join her husband. They have only been married a twelvemonth; and he has been absent from her half the time. POM. Good. Her name? HUNDS. Vane. POM. Vane! HUNDS. Wife of Mr. Ernest Vane, a gentleman of good estate, Willoughby Manor, Huntingdonshire. POM. What!--What!--His wife, by heaven! Oh! here is a rare revenge. Ride back, sirrah, and follow the coach to its destination. HUNDS. They took master for a highwayman. If they knew him as well as I do, they wouldn't do the road such an injustice. [_Exit R._ POM. (_with energy_). I'll after them; and if I can but manage that Vane shall remain ignorant of her arrival, I may confront Hebe with Thalia; introduce the wife to the mistress under the husband's roof. Aha! my Arcadian pair, there may be a guest at your banquet you little expect, besides Sir Charles Pomander! [_Exit L._ SCENE II.--_A spacious and elegant Apartment in the House of Mr. Vane, opening into a Garden formally planted, with Statues, &c. A Table set for a collation, with Fruits, Flowers, Wine, and Plate. A Door C. flat, communicating with Entrance Hall, other Doors R. and L. Settees and high-backed Chairs, a Side Table with Plate, Salvers, &c._ [_Colander discovered arranging table._] COL. So! malmsey, fruit, tea, coffee, yes! all is ready against their leaving the dining-room! [_Enter James Burdock, a salver with letters in his hand._] BUR. Post letters, Master Colander. COL. Put 'em on the salver. (_Burdock does so._) You may go, honest Burdock--(_Burdock fidgets, turning the letters on the salver_) when I say you _may_ go--that means you _must;_ the stable is your place when the family is not in Huntingdonshire, and at present the family is in London.