_Pinch._ Come have a little patience and thou shalt go into the country on Friday. _Mrs. Pinch._ Therefore I would see first some sights to tell my neighbours of. Nay, I will go abroad, that's once. _Alith._ I'm the cause of this desire too! _Pinch._ But now I think on't, who, who was the cause of Horner's coming to my lodgings to-day? That was you. _Alith._ No, you, because you would not let him see your handsome wife out of your lodging. _Mrs. Pinch._ Why, O Lord! did the gentleman come hither to see me indeed? _Pinch._ No, no.--You are not the cause of that damned question too, Mistress Alithea?--[_Aside._] Well, she's in the right of it. He is in love with my wife--and comes after her--'tis so--but I'll nip his love in the bud; lest he should follow us into the country, and break his chariot-wheel near our house, on purpose for an excuse to come to't. But I think I know the town. _Mrs. Pinch._ Come, pray, bud, let's go abroad before 'tis late; for I will go, that's flat and plain. _Pinch._ [_Aside._] So! the obstinacy already of the town-wife; and I must, whilst she's here, humour her like one.--[_Aloud._] Sister, how shall we do, that she may not be seen, or known? _Alith._ Let her put on her mask. _Pinch._ Pshaw! a mask makes people but the more inquisitive, and is as ridiculous a disguise as a stage-beard: her shape, stature, habit will be known. And if we should meet with Horner, he would be sure to take acquaintance with us, must wish her joy, kiss her, talk to her, leer upon her, and the devil and all. No, I'll not use her to a mask, 'tis dangerous; for masks have made more cuckolds than the best faces that ever were known. _Alith._ How will you do then? _Mrs. Pinch._ Nay, shall we go? The Exchange will be shut, and I have a mind to see that. _Pinch._ So--I have it--I'll dress her up in the suit we are to carry down to her brother, little Sir James; nay, I understand the town-tricks. Come, let's go dress her. A mask! no--a woman masked, like a covered dish, gives a man curiosity and appetite; when, it may be, uncovered, 'twould turn his stomach: no, no. _Alith._ Indeed your comparison is something a greasy one: but I had a gentle gallant used to say, A beauty masked, like the sun in eclipse, gathers together more gazers than if it shined out. [_Exeunt._ SCENE II.--_The New Exchange._ _Enter_ HORNER, HARCOURT, _and_ DORILANT. _Dor._ Engaged to women, and not sup with us! _Horn._ Ay, a pox on 'em all! _Har._ You were much a more reasonable man in the morning, and had as noble resolutions against 'em, as a widower of a week's liberty. _Dor._ Did I ever think to see you keep company with women in vain? _Horn._ In vain: no--'tis since I can't love 'em, to be revenged on 'em. _Har._ Now your sting is gone, you looked in the box amongst all those women like a drone in the hive; all upon you, shoved and ill-used by 'em all, and thrust from one side to t'other.