_Wid._ Nay, thou hast ever been my comfort, my confidant, my friend, and my servant; and now I'll reward thy pains; for though I scorn the whole sex of fellows, I'll give 'em hopes for thy sake; every smile, every frown, every gesture, humour, caprice and whimsey of mine shall be gold to thee, girl; thou shalt feel all the sweet and wealth of being a fine rich widow's woman. Oh! how my head runs my first year out, and jumps to all the joys of widowhood! If thirteen months hence a friend should haul one to a play one has a mind to see, what pleasure 'twill be when my Lady Brumpton's footman's called (who kept a place for that very purpose) to make a sudden insurrection of fine wigs in the pit and side-boxes. Then, with a pretty sorrow in one's face and a willing blush for being stared at, one ventures to look round and bow to one of one's own quality. Thus [_very directly_] to a smug pretending fellow of no fortune: Thus [_as scarce seeing him_] to one that writes lampoons: Thus [_fearfully_] to one one really loves: Thus [_looking down_] to one's woman-acquaintance; from box to box thus [_with looks differently familiar_]: And when one has done one's part, observe the actors do their's, but with my mind fixed not on those I look at, but those that look at me----Then the serenades! The lovers! _Tat._ O, madam, you make my heart bound within me. I'll warrant you, madam, I'll manage 'em all; and indeed, madam, the men are really very silly creatures, 'tis no such hard matter----They rulers! They governors! I warrant you indeed! _Wid._ Ay, Tattleaid, they imagine themselves mighty things, but government founded on force only is a brutal power. We rule them by their affections, which blinds them into belief that they rule us, or at least are in the government with us----But in this nation our power is absolute. Thus, thus, we sway--[_playing her fan_]. A fan is both the standard and the flag of England. I laugh to see the men go on our errands; strut in great offices; live in cares, hazards, and scandals; to come home and be fools to us in brags of their dispatches, negotiations, and their wisdom--as my good, dear deceased used to entertain me; which I, to relieve myself from, would lisp some silly request, pat him on the face----He shakes his head at my pretty folly, calls me simpleton, gives me a jewel, then goes to bed so wise, so satisfied, and so deceived! _Tat._ But I protest, madam, I've always wondered how you could accomplish my young lord's being disinherited.