_Mrs. F._ I am thinking, child, how contrary our fates Have traced our lots through life.--Another needle, This works untowardly.--An heiress born To splendid prospects, at our common school I was as one above you all, not of you; Had my distinct prerogatives; my freedoms, Denied to you. Pray, listen-- _Kath_. I must hear, What you are pleased to speak--how my heart sinks here! [_Aside_. _Mrs. F_. My chamber to myself, my separate maid, My coach, and so forth.--Not that needle, simple one, With the great staring eye fit for a Cyclops! Mine own are not so blinded with their griefs, But I could make a shift to thread a smaller. A cable or a camel might go through this, And never strain for the passage. _Kath_. I will fit you---- Intolerable tyranny! [_Aside_. _Mrs. F_. Quick, quick; You were not once so slack.--As I was saying, Not a young thing among ye, but observed me Above the mistress. Who but I was sought to In all your dangers, all your little difficulties, Your girlish scrapes? I was the scape-goat still, To fetch you off; kept all your secrets, some, Perhaps, since then-- _Kath_. No more of that, for mercy, If you'd not have me, sinking at your feet, Cleave the cold earth for comfort. [_Kneels_. _Mrs. F._ This to me? This posture to your friend had better suited The orphan Katherine in her humble school-days To the _then_ rich heiress, than the wife of Selby, Of wealthy Mr. Selby, To the poor widow Frampton, sunk as she is. Come, come, 'Twas something, or 'twas nothing, that I said; I did not mean to fright you, sweetest bedfellow! You once were so, but Selby now engrosses you. I'll make him give you up a night or so; In faith I will: that we may lie, and talk Old tricks of school-days over. _Kath._ Hear me, madam-- _Mrs. F._ Not by that name. Your friend-- _Kath._ My truest friend, And savior of my honor! _Mrs. F._ This sounds better; You still shall find me such. _Kath._ That you have graced Our poor house with your presence hitherto, Has been my greatest comfort, the sole solace Of my forlorn and hardly guess'd estate. You have been pleased To accept some trivial hospitalities, In part of payment of a long arrear I owe to you, no less than for my life. _Mrs. F._ You speak my services too large. _Kath._ Nay, less; For what an abject thing were life to me Without your silence on my dreadful secret! And I would wish the league we have renew'd Might be perpetual-- _Mrs. F._ Have a care, fine madam! [_Aside._ _Kath._ That one house still might hold us. But my husband Has shown himself of late-- _Mrs. F._ How, Mistress Selby?