_Wid._ Did I say so? really I think 'twas apt enough, now I remember 'em. Lady Wrinkle--oh, that smug old woman! There's no enduring her affectation of youth, but I plague her; I always ask whether her daughter in Wiltshire has a grandchild yet or not. Lady Worthy--I can't bear her company, she has so much of that virtue in her heart which I have in my mouth only. [_Aside._] Mrs. After-Day--oh that's she that was the great beauty, the mighty toast about town--that's just come out of the small-pox; she's horribly pitted they say; I long to see her and plague her with my condolence. 'Tis a pure ill-natured satisfaction to see one that was a beauty unfortunately move with the same languor and softness of behaviour that once was charming in her--to see, I say, her mortify that used to kill--ha! ha! ha! The rest are a catalogue of mere names or titles they were born to, an insipid crowd of neither good nor bad; but you are sure these other ladies suspect not in the least that I know of their coming? _Tat._ No, dear madam, they are to ask for me. _Wid._ I hear a coach. [_Exit_ TAT.] I've now an exquisite pleasure in the thought of surpassing my Lady Sly, who pretends to have out-grieved the whole town for her husband. They are certainly coming.--Oh no! here, let me--thus let me sit and think. [WIDOW _on her couch; while she is raving as to herself,_ TATTLEAID _softly brings in the ladies._] Wretched, disconsolate as I am! Oh welcome, welcome, dear killing anguish! Oh, that I could lie down and die in my present heaviness--but what--how? Nay, my dear, dear lord, why do you look so pale, so ghastly at me? Wottoo, wottoo, fright thy own trembling, shivering wife---- _Tat._ Nay, good madam, be comforted. _Wid._ Thou shalt not have me. [_Pushes_ TAT. _Tat._ Nay, good madam, 'tis I, 'tis I, your ladyship's own woman--'tis I, madam, that dress you, and talk to you, and tell you all that's done in the house every day; 'tis I---- _Wid._ Is it, then, possible? Is it, then, possible that I am left? Speak to me not--hold me not. I'll break the listening walls with my complaints. [_Looks surprised at seeing company, then severely at_ TATTLEAID.] Ah! Tattleaid---- _1st La._ Nay, madam, be not angry at her, we would come in in spite of her. We are your friends and are as concerned as you---- _Wid._ Ah! madam, madam, madam, madam, I am an undone woman. Oh me! Alas! Alas! Oh! Oh! [_All join in her notes._] I swoon--I expire. [_Faints._ _2nd La._ Pray, Mrs. Tattleaid, bring something that is cordial to her. [_Exit_ TATTLEAID. _3rd La._ Indeed, madam, you should have patience. His lordship was old. To die is but going before in a journey we must all take. _Enter_ TATTLEAID _loaded with bottles. 3rd Lady takes a bottle from her and drinks._ _4th La._ Lord, how my Lady Fleer drinks; I've heard, indeed, but never could believe it of her. [_Drinks also._