_Smug._ Ah, that hand, that hand! that pretty, soft, white----I have brought it; but the condition of the obligation is such, that whereas that leering eye, that pouting lip, that pretty soft hand, that--you understand me; you understand; I'm sure you do, you little rogue---- _Lady L._ Here's a villain, now, so covetous, that he would bribe me with my own money. I'll be revenged. [_Aside._]--Upon my word, Mr. Alderman, you make me blush,--what d'ye mean, pray? _Smug._ See here, madam. [_Pulls his Purse out._]--Buss and guinea! buss and guinea! buss and guinea! _Lady L._ Well, Mr. Alderman, you have such pretty winning ways, that I will--ha! ha! ha! _Smug._ Will you, indeed, he! he! he! my little cocket? And when, and where, and how? _Lady L._ 'Twill be a difficult point, sir, to secure both our honours: you must therefore be disguised, Mr. Alderman. _Smug._ Pshaw! no matter; I am an old fornicator; I'm not half so religious as I seem to be. You little rogue, why I'm disguised as I am; our sanctity is all outside, all hypocrisy. _Lady L._ No man is seen to come into this house after dark; you must therefore sneak in, when 'tis dark, in woman's clothes. _Smug._ With all my heart----I have a suit on purpose, my little cocket; I love to be disguised; 'ecod, I make a very handsome woman, 'ecod, I do. _Enter_ SERVANT, _who whispers_ LADY LUREWELL. _Lady L._ Oh, Mr. Alderman, shall I beg you to walk into the next room? Here are some strangers coming up. _Smug._ Buss and guinea first--Ah, my little cocket! [_Exit._ _Enter_ SIR H. WILDAIR. _Sir H._ My life, my soul, my all that Heaven can give!---- _Lady L._ Death's life with thee, without thee death to live. Welcome, my dear Sir Harry----I see you got my directions. _Sir H._ Directions! in the most charming manner, thou dear Machiavel of intrigue. _Lady L._ Still brisk and airy, I find, Sir Harry. _Sir H._ The sight of you, madam, exalts my air, and makes joy lighten in my face. _Lady L._ I have a thousand questions to ask you, Sir Harry. Why did you leave France so soon? _Sir H._ Because, madam, there is no existing where you are not. _Lady L._ _Oh, monsieur, je vous suis fort obligée_----But, where's the court now? _Sir H._ At Marli, madam. _Lady L._ And where my Count La Valier? _Sir H._ His body's in the church of Nôtre Dame; I don't know where his soul is. _Lady L._ What disease did he die of? _Sir H._ A duel, madam; I was his doctor. _Lady L._ How d'ye mean? _Sir H._ As most doctors do; I kill'd him. _Lady L._ _En cavalier_, my dear knight-errant--Well, and how, and how: what intrigues, what gallantries are carrying on in the _beau monde_? _Sir H._ I should ask you that question, madam, since your ladyship makes the _beau-monde_ wherever you come. _Lady L._ Ah, Sir Harry, I've been almost ruined, pestered to death here, by the incessant attacks of a mighty colonel; he has besieged me. _Sir H._ I hope your ladyship did not surrender, though.