BRISK. Pshaw, pshaw, prithee don't interrupt me. But I tell you, you shall tell me at last, but it shall be a great while first. CARE. Well, but prithee don't let it be a great while, because I long to have it over. BRISK. Well then, you tell me some good jest or some very witty thing, laughing all the while as if you were ready to die, and I hear it, and look thus. Would not you be disappointed? CARE. No; for if it were a witty thing I should not expect you to understand it. LORD FROTH. Oh, foy, Mr. Careless, all the world allows Mr. Brisk to have wit; my wife says he has a great deal. I hope you think her a judge. BRISK. Pooh, my lord, his voice goes for nothing; I can't tell how to make him apprehend. Take it t'other way. Suppose I say a witty thing to you? CARE. Then I shall be disappointed indeed. MEL. Let him alone, Brisk, he is obstinately bent not to be instructed. BRISK. I'm sorry for him, the deuce take me. MEL. Shall we go to the ladies, my lord? LORD FROTH. With all my heart; methinks we are a solitude without 'em. MEL. Or what say you to another bottle of champagne? LORD FROTH. Oh, for the universe not a drop more, I beseech you. Oh, intemperate! I have a flushing in my face already. [_Takes out a pocket- glass and looks in it_.] BRISK. Let me see, let me see, my lord, I broke my glass that was in the lid of my snuff-box. Hum! Deuce take me, I have encouraged a pimple here too. [_Takes the glass and looks_.] LORD FROTH. Then you must mortify him with a patch; my wife shall supply you. Come, gentlemen, _allons_, here is company coming. SCENE VI. LADY TOUCHWOOD _and_ MASKWELL. LADY TOUCH. I'll hear no more. You are false and ungrateful; come, I know you false. MASK. I have been frail, I confess, madam, for your ladyship's service. LADY TOUCH. That I should trust a man whom I had known betray his friend! MASK. What friend have I betrayed? or to whom? LADY TOUCH. Your fond friend Mellefont, and to me; can you deny it? MASK. I do not. LADY TOUCH. Have you not wronged my lord, who has been a father to you in your wants, and given you being? Have you not wronged him in the highest manner, in his bed? MASK. With your ladyship's help, and for your service, as I told you before. I can't deny that neither. Anything more, madam? LADY TOUCH. More! Audacious villain! Oh, what's more, is most my shame. Have you not dishonoured me? MASK. No, that I deny; for I never told in all my life: so that accusation's answered; on to the next.