_Sav._ Such a woman as Lady Frances Touchwood, Sir. _Court._ Oh, you are grave, Sir; I remember you was an Adorer of her's--Why didn't you marry her? _Sav._ I had not the arrogance to look so high--Had my fortune been worthy of her, she should not have been ignorant of my admiration. _Court._ Precious fellow! What, I suppose you would not dare tell her now that you admire her? _Sav._ No, nor you. _Court._ By the Lord, I have told her so. _Sav._ Have! Impossible! _Court._ Ha! ha! ha!--Is it so? _Sav._ How did she receive the declaration? _Court._ Why, in the old way; blushed, and frowned, and said she was married. _Sav._ What amazing things thou art capable of! I could more easily have taken the Pope by the beard, than prophaned her ears with such a declaration. _Court._ I shall meet her at Lady Brilliant's to-night, where I shall repeat it; and I'll lay my life, under a mask, she'll hear it all without blush, or frown. _Sav._ (_rising_) 'Tis false, Sir!--She won't. _Court._ She will! (_rising_) Nay, I'd venture to lay a round sum, that I prevail on her to go out with me----only to taste the fresh air, I mean. _Sav._ Preposterous vanity! From this moment I suspect that half the victories you have boasted, are false and slanderous, as your pretended influence with Lady Frances. _Court._ Pretended!--How should such a Fellow as you, now, who never soared beyond a cherry-cheeked Daughter of a Ploughman in Norfolk, judge of the influence of a Man of my Figure and Habits? I could shew thee a list, in which there are names to shake thy faith in the whole sex!--and, to that list I have no doubt of adding the name of Lady---- _Sav._ Hold, Sir! My ears cannot bear the profanation;--you cannot--dare not approach her!--For your soul you dare not mention Love to her! Her look would freeze the word, whilst it hovered on thy licentious lips! _Court._ Whu! whu! Well, we shall see--this evening, by Jupiter, the trial shall be made--if I fail--I fail. _Sav._ I think thou darest not!--But my life, my honour on her purity. [_Exit_ Saville. _Court._ Hot-headed fool! But since he has brought it to this point, by Gad I'll try what can be done with her Ladyship (_musing_)--(_rings_) She's frost-work, and the prejudices of education yet strong: _ergo_, passionate professions will only inflame her pride, and put her on her guard.--For other arts then! _Enter_ Dick. Dick, do you know any of the servants at Sir George Touchwood's? _Dick._ Yes, Sir; I knows the Groom, and one of the House-maids: for the matter-o'-that, she's my own Cousin; and it was my Mother that holp'd her to the place. _Court._ Do you know Lady Frances's Maid? _Dick._ I can't say as how I know she. _Court._ Do you know Sir George's Valet? _Dick._ No, Sir; but Sally is very thick with Mr. Gibson, Sir George's Gentleman.