_Alith._ Nay, if he tell her, she'll give him more cause to forbid her that place. [_Aside._ _Mrs. Pinch._ Pray why, dear? _Pinch._ First, you like the actors; and the gallants may like you. _Mrs. Pinch._ What, a homely country girl! No, bud, nobody will like me. _Pinch._ I tell you yes, they may. _Mrs. Pinch._ No, no, you jest--I won't believe you: I will go. _Pinch._ I tell you then, that one of the lewdest fellows in town, who saw you there, told me he was in love with you. _Mrs. Pinch._ Indeed! who, who, pray who was't? _Pinch._ I've gone too far, and slipped before I was aware; how overjoyed she is! [_Aside._ _Mrs. Pinch._ Was it any Hampshire gallant, any of our neighbours? I promise you, I am beholden to him. _Pinch._ I promise you, you lie; for he would but ruin you, as he has done hundreds. He has no other love for women but that; such as he look upon women, like basilisks, but to destroy 'em. _Mrs. Pinch_ Ay, but if he loves me, why should he ruin me? answer me to that. Methinks he should not, I would do him no harm. _Alith._ Ha! ha! ha! _Pinch._ 'Tis very well; but I'll keep him from doing you any harm, or me either. But here comes company; get you in, get you in. _Mrs. Pinch._ But, pray, husband, is he a pretty gentleman that loves me? _Pinch._ In, baggage, in. [_Thrusts her in, and shuts the door._ _Enter_ SPARKISH _and_ HARCOURT. What, all the lewd libertines of the town brought to my lodging by this easy coxcomb! 'sdeath, I'll not suffer it. _Spark._ Here, Harcourt, do you approve my choice?--[_To_ ALITHEA.] Dear little rogue, I told you I'd bring you acquainted with all my friends, the wits and--[HARCOURT _salutes her._ _Pinch._ Ay, they shall know her, as well as you yourself will, I warrant you. _Spark._ This is one of those, my pretty rogue, that are to dance at your wedding to-morrow; and him you must bid welcome ever, to what you and I have. _Pinch._ Monstrous! [_Aside._ _Spark._ Harcourt, how dost thou like her, faith? Nay, dear, do not look down; I should hate to have a wife of mine out of countenance at anything. _Pinch._ Wonderful! [_Aside._ _Spark._ Tell me, I say, Harcourt, how dost thou like her? Thou hast stared upon her enough, to resolve me. _Har._ So infinitely well, that I could wish I had a mistress too, that might differ from her in nothing but her love and engagement to you. _Alith._ Sir, Master Sparkish has often told me that his acquaintance were all wits and raillieurs, and now I find it. _Spark._ No, by the universe, madam, he does not rally now; you may believe him. I do assure you, he is the honestest, worthiest, true-hearted gentlemen--a man of such perfect honour, he would say nothing to a lady he does not mean. _Pinch._ Praising another man to his mistress! [_Aside._ _Har._ Sir, you are so beyond expectation obliging, that--