_Vill._ Yielded herself up to the World! Why did you not bring her to town in a Cage? Then she might have taken a peep at the World!--But, after all, what has the World done? A twelvemonth since you was the gayest fellow in it:--If any body ask'd who dresses best?--Sir George Touchwood.--Who is the most gallant Man? Sir George Touchwood.--Who is the most wedded to Amusement and Dissipation? Sir George Touchwood.--And now Sir George is metamorphosed into a sour Censor; and talks of Fashionable Life with as much bitterness, as the old crabbed Fellow in Rome. _Sir Geo._ The moment I became possessed of such a jewel as Lady Frances, every thing wore a different complexion: that Society in which I liv'd with so much _éclat_, became the object of my terror; and I think of the manners of Polite Life, as I do of the atmosphere of a Pest-house.--My Wife is already infected; she was set upon this morning by Maids, Widows, and Bachelors, who carried her off in triumph, in spite of my displeasure. _Vill._ Aye, to be sure; there would have been no triumph in the case, if you had not oppos'd it:--but I have heard the whole story from Mrs. Racket; and I assure you, Lady Frances didn't enjoy the morning at all;--she wish'd for you fifty times. _Sir Geo._ Indeed! Are you sure of that? _Vill._ Perfectly sure. _Sir Geo._ I wish I had known it:----my uneasiness at dinner was occasioned by very different ideas. _Vill._ Here then she comes, to receive your apology; but if she is true Woman, her displeasure will rise in proportion to your contrition;--and till you grow careless about her pardon, she won't grant it:----however, I'll leave you.----Matrimonial Duets are seldom set in the style I like. [_Exit_ Villers. _Enter Lady_ Frances. _Sir Geo._ The sweet sorrow that glitters in these eyes, I cannot bear (_embracing her_). Look chearfully, you Rogue. _Lady Fran._ I cannot look otherwise, if you are pleas'd with me. _Sir Geo._ Well, Fanny, to-day you made your _entrée_ in the Fashionable World; tell me honestly the impressions you receiv'd. _Lady Fran._ Indeed, Sir George, I was so hurried from place to place, that I had not time to find out what my impressions were. _Sir Geo._ That's the very spirit of the life you have chosen. _Lady Fran._ Every body about me seem'd happy--but every body seem'd in a hurry to be happy somewhere else. _Sir Geo._ And you like this? _Lady Fran._ One must like what the rest of the World likes. _Sir Geo._ Pernicious maxim! _Lady Fran._ But, my dear Sir George, you have not promis'd to go with me to the Masquerade. _Sir Geo._ 'Twould be a shocking indecorum to be seen together, you know. _Lady Fran._ Oh, no; I ask'd Mrs. Racket, and she told me we might be seen together at the Masquerade--without being laugh'd at. _Sir Geo._ Really?