MISS MEA. Signed, sealed, and duly delivered! MISS MAC. Jessy! I must be deceived--pressing the hand of a man to your lips! I'm horrified! MISS MEA. He first pressed mine, aunt; and surely the gallantry should not always be on one side. We love one another; the passion brings us to an equality, and I have made up my mind where _I_ love, never to be less tender, less grateful, or less enthusiastic than he that honors me with his affection! MISS MAC. Oh! what revolutionary sentiments! Now miss, I have done with you for ever. You are henceforth the mistress of your own actions. Do as you please: but never approach me with your matrimonial complaints and miseries, for I shall be totally deaf to them! CHE. It shall be my care, dear madam, to prevent that, by never giving her cause to complain. [_A knock at the door._ MISS MAC. Who can this be? Another man, no doubt! _DAMPER opens the door, and peeps in._ DAM. I beg your pardon, will you allow me to enter? MISS MAC. I don't know that I shall, sir--one of your sex has committed sufficient mischief here already! DAM. _(To MISS MACAW.)_ Don't be afraid of me--you are perfectly out of harm's way. _(To CHESTER.)_ As my business is with you, sir, perhaps you will step out to me. MISS MEA. Oh, sir--pray come in, sir. DAM. _(Advancing.)_ Mr. Niggle, the gentleman with whom you saw me yesterday, is my friend. CHE. Well, sir? DAM. There are strange tales about, respecting you, sir; and that female with whom you were discovered in close conversation yesterday--and, in behalf of my friend, sir, I am here to ask you in plain language, who you are? CHE. It can be of little consequence to you sir, who, or what I am. MISS MEA. A lady! Were you in conversation with a lady yesterday? What lady? DAM. Ah, you may well ask. If that person is a stranger here, madam, whatever may be his intentions, look to him! My friend shall not fall a victim to the arts of a designing woman! You understand me--_I_ can see the likeness between you--precisely the same circumventing countenance! MISS MEA. A designing woman!--and a likeness between you! Pray explain. DAM. Well, sir, I have nothing more to say than this--your refusal to explain who you are, fully justifies my friend's conduct towards that female; and any action that she may bring against him, he is quite prepared to defend. He has had experience in such matters, and snaps his fingers at you! MISS MEA. _(To CHESTER.)_ I am afraid there is too much truth in the fancy that, I confess, troubled me. You are practising concealment with me, and till you remove every doubt from my mind, you must not expect further candour from me. CHE. Nay, hear me. MISS MEA. Not till you are prepared to explain all. You see what a temper I have--I do not hide the slightest foible from you, and I expect equal sincerity at your hands. [_Exit F.E.L._ CHE. In good time I will explain all; but now I cannot, will not. [_Exit, following her._