_Patch._ That's for your private Ear, Madam. Sir _George_, there's a
Friend of yours has an urgent Occasion for your Assistance.
Sir _Geo._ His Name.
_Patch._ _Charles._
_Marpl._ Ha! then there is something a-foot that I know nothing of. I'll
wait on you, Sir _George_.
Sir _Geo._ A third Person may not be proper perhaps; as soon as I have
dispatch'd my own Affairs, I am at his Service. I'll send my Servant to
tell him, I'll wait upon him in half an Hour.
_Miran._ How come you employ'd in this Message, Mrs. _Patch?_
_Patch._ Want of Business, Madam. I am discharg'd by my Master, but hope
to serve my Lady still.
_Miran._ How discharg'd! you must tell me the whole Story within.
_Patch._ With all my Heart, Madam.
_Marpl._ Pish! Pox, I wish I were fairly out of the House. I find
Marriage is the end of this Secret: And now I am half mad to know what
_Charles_ wants him for.
(_Aside._
Sir _Geo._ Madam, I'm doubly press'd, by Love and Friendship: This
Exigence admits of no delay. Shall we make _Marplot_ of the Party?
_Miran._ If you'll run the Hazard, Sir _George_; I believe he means
well.
_Marpl._ Nay, nay, for my part, I desire to be let into nothing: I'll
begon, therefore pray don't mistrust me.
(_Going._
Sir _Geo._ So now has he a mind to be gone to _Charles_: but not knowing
what Affairs he may have upon his Hands at present, I'm resolv'd he
sha'n't stir: No, Mr. _Marplot_, you must not leave us, we want a third
Person.
(_Takes hold of him._
_Marpl._ I never had more mind to be gone in my Life.
_Miran._ Come along then; if we fail in the Voyage, thank your self for
taking this ill starr'd Gentleman on Board.
_Sir_ Geo.
_That Vessel ne'er can Unsuccessful prove,_
_Whose Freight is Beauty, and whose Pilot Love._
The End of the Fourth ACT.
ACT the Fifth.
_Enter _Miranda_, _Patch_, and _Scentwell_._
_Miran._ Well, _Patch_, I have done a strange bold thing! my Fate is
determin'd, and Expectation is no more. Now to avoid the Impertinence
and Roguery of an old Man, I have thrown my self into the Extravagance
of a young one; if he shou'd despise, slight or use me ill, there's no
Remedy from a Husband, but the Grave; and that's a terrible Sanctuary to
one of my Age and Constitution.
_Patch._ O fear not, Madam, you'll find your account in Sir _George
Airy_; it is impossible a Man of Sense shou'd use a Woman ill, indued
with Beauty, Wit and Fortune. It must be the Lady's fault, if she does
not wear the unfashionable Name of Wife easie, when nothing but
Complaisance and good Humour is requisite on either side to make them
happy.
_Miran._ I long till I am out of this House, lest any Accident shou'd
bring my _Guardian_ back. _Scentwell_, put my best Jewels into the
little Casket, slip them, into thy Pocket, and let us march off to Sir.
_Jealous_'s.
_Scentw._ It shall be done, Madam.
(_Exit_ Scentwell.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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