_Marpl._ What, my Sister _Ward?_ Why, her Guardian is mine, we are Fellow Sufferers: Ah! he is a covetous, cheating, sanctify'd Curmudgeon; that Sir _Francis Gripe_ is a damn'd old-- _Char._ I suppose, Friend, you forget that he is my Father-- _Marpl._ I ask your Pardon, _Charles_, but it is for your sake I hate him. Well, I say, the World is mistaken in him, his Out-side Piety, makes him every Man's Executor, and his Inside Cunning, makes him every Heir's Jaylor. Egad, _Charles_, I'm half persuaded that thou'rt some _Ward_ too, and never of his getting: For thou art as honest a Debauchee as ever Cuckolded Man of Quality. Sir _Geo._ A pleasant Fellow. _Cha._ The Dog is Diverting sometimes, or there wou'd be no enduring his Impertinence: He is pressing to be employ'd and willing to execute, but some ill Fate generally attends all he undertakes, and he oftner spoils an Intreague than helps it-- _Marpl._ If I miscarry 'tis none of my Fault, I follow my Instructions. _Cha._ Yes, witness the Merchant's Wife. _Marpl._ Pish, Pox, that was an Accident. Sir _Geo._ What was it, prithee? _Ch._ Why, you must know, I had lent a certain Merchant my hunting Horses, and was to have met his Wife in his Absence: Sending him along with my Groom to make the Complement, and to deliver a Letter to the Lady at the same time; what does he do, but gives the Husband the Letter, and offers her the Horses. _Marpl._ I remember you was even with me, for you deny'd the Letter to be yours, and swore I had a design upon her, which my Bones paid for. _Cha._ Come, Sir _George_, let's walk round, if you are not ingag'd, for I have sent my Man upon a little earnest Business, and have order'd him to bring me the Answer into the Park. _Marpl._ Business, and I not know it, Egad I'll watch him. Sir _Geo._ I must beg your Pardon, _Charles_, I am to meet your Father here. _Ch._ My Father! Sir _Geo._ Aye! and about the oddest Bargain perhaps you ever heard off; but I'll not impart till I know the Success. _Marpl._ What can his Business be with Sir _Francis?_ Now wou'd I give all the World to know it; why the Devil should not one know every Man's Concern. (_Aside_. _Cha._ Prosperity to't whate'er it be, I have private Affairs too; over a Bottle we'll compare Notes. _Marpl._ _Charles_ knows I love a Glass as well as any Man, I'll make one; shall it be to Night? Ad I long to know their Secrets. (_Aside._ _Enter _Whisper_._ _Whis._ Sir, Sir, Mis _Patch_ says, _Isabinda_'s Spanish Father has quite spoil'd the Plot, and she can't meet you in the Park, but he infallibly will go out this Afternoon, she says; but I must step again to know the Hour. _Marpl._ What did _Whisper_ say now? I shall go stark Mad, if I'm not let into this Secret. (_Aside._ _Cha._ Curst Misfortune, come along with me, my Heart feels Pleasure at her Name. Sir _George_, yours; we'll meet at the old place the usual Hour.