VAIN. No, madam, I’m gone. She knows her name’s to it, which she will
be unwilling to expose to the censure of the first finder.
ARAM. Woman’s obstinacy made me blind to what woman’s curiosity now
tempts me to see. [_Takes up the letter_.]
SCENE XIII.
BELINDA, SHARPER.
BELIN. Nay, we have spared nobody, I swear. Mr. Sharper, you’re a pure
man; where did you get this excellent talent of railing?
SHARP. Faith, madam, the talent was born with me:—I confess I have taken
care to improve it, to qualify me for the society of ladies.
BELIN. Nay, sure, railing is the best qualification in a woman’s man.
SCENE XIV.
[_To them_] FOOTMAN.
SHARP. The second best, indeed, I think.
BELIN. How now, Pace? Where’s my cousin?
FOOT. She’s not very well, madam, and has sent to know if your ladyship
would have the coach come again for you?
BELIN. O Lord, no, I’ll go along with her. Come, Mr. Sharper.
SCENE XV.
SCENE: _A chamber in Fondlewife’s house_.
LÆTITIA and BELLMOUR, his cloak, hat, etc., lying loose about the
chamber.
BELL. Here’s nobody, nor no noise—’twas nothing but your fears.
LÆT. I durst have sworn I had heard my monster’s voice. I swear I was
heartily frightened; feel how my heart beats.
BELL. ’Tis an alarm to love—come in again, and let us—
FOND. [_Without_.] Cocky, Cocky, where are you, Cocky? I’m come home.
LÆT. Ah! There he is. Make haste, gather up your things.
FOND. Cocky, Cocky, open the door.
BELL. Pox choke him, would his horns were in his throat. My patch, my
patch. [_Looking about_, _and gathering up his things_.]
LÆT. My jewel, art thou there?—No matter for your patch.—You s’an’t tum
in, Nykin—run into my chamber, quickly, quickly—You s’an’t tum in.
FOND. Nay, prithee, dear, i’feck I’m in haste.
LÆT. Then I’ll let you in. [_Opens the door_.]
SCENE XVI.
LÆTITIA, FONDLEWIFE, SIR JOSEPH.
FOND. Kiss, dear—I met the master of the ship by the way, and I must
have my papers of accounts out of your cabinet.
LÆT. Oh, I’m undone! [_Aside_.]
SIR JO. Pray, first let me have fifty pound, good Alderman, for I’m in
haste.
FOND. A hundred has already been paid by your order. Fifty? I have the
sum ready in gold in my closet.
SCENE XVII.
LÆTITIA, SIR JOSEPH.
SIR JO. Agad, it’s a curious, fine, pretty rogue; I’ll speak to
her.—Pray, Madam, what news d’ye hear?
LÆT. Sir, I seldom stir abroad. [_Walks about in disorder_.]
SIR JO. I wonder at that, Madam, for ’tis most curious fine weather.
LÆT. Methinks ’t has been very ill weather.
SIR JO. As you say, madam, ’tis pretty bad weather, and has been so a
great while.
SCENE XVIII.
[_To them_] FONDLEWIFE.
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