_1st Lady_. They say, his very servants do not know it. His French valet, that has lived with him these two years-- _2d Lady_. There, Madam, I must beg leave to set you right; my coachman-- _1st Lady_. I have it from the very best authority; my footma-- _2d Lady_. Then, Madam, you have set your servants on-- _1st Lady_. No, Madam, I would scorn any such little mean ways of coming at a secret. For my part, I don't think any secret of that consequence. _2d Lady_. That's just like me; I make a rule of troubling my head with nobody's business but my own. _Melesinda_. But then, she takes care to make everybody's business her own, and so to justify herself that way-- (_Aside_.) _1st Lady_. My dear Melesinda, you look thoughtful. _Melesinda_. Nothing. _2d Lady_. Give it a name. _Melesinda_. Perhaps it is nameless. _1st Lady_. As the object--Come, never blush, nor deny it, child. Bless me, what great ugly thing is that, that dangles at your bosom? _Melesinda_. This? It is a cross: how do you like it? _2d Lady_. A cross! Well, to me it looks for all the world like a great staring H. _(Here a general laugh.)_ _Melesinda_. Malicious creatures! Believe me it is a cross, and nothing but a cross. _1st Lady_. A cross, I believe, you would willingly hang at. _Melesinda_. Intolerable spite! _(MR. H. is announced.)_ _Enter MR. H._ _1st Lady_. O, Mr. H., we are so glad-- _2d Lady_. We have been so dull-- _3rd Lady_. So perfectly lifeless--You owe it to us to be more than commonly entertaining. _Mr. H_. Ladies, this is so obliging-- _4th Lady_. O, Mr. H., those ranunculas you said were dying, pretty things, they have got up-- _5th Lady_. I have worked that sprig you commended--I want you to come-- _Mr. H_. Ladies-- _6th Lady_. I have sent for that piece of music from London. _Mr. H_. The Mozart _(seeing MELESINDA)_--Melesinda! _Several Ladies at once_. Nay, positively, Melesinda, you shan't engross him all to yourself. [_While the ladies are pressing about MR. H., the gentlemen show signs of displeasure_. _1st Gent_. We shan't be able to edge in a word, now this coxcomb is come. _2d Gent_. Damn him, I will affront him. _1st Gent_. Sir, with your leave, I have a word to say to one of these ladies. _2d Gent_. If we could be heard-- [_The Ladies pay no attention but to MR. H_. _Mr. H_. You see, gentlemen, how the matter stands. _(Hums an air.)_ I am not my own master: positively I exist and breathe but to be agreeable to these--Did you speak? _1st Gent_. And affects absence of mind--Puppy!