_Alith._ I own he wants the wit of Harcourt, which I will dispense withal for another want he has, which is want of jealousy, which men of wit seldom want. _Lucy._ Lord, madam, what should you do with a fool to your husband? You intend to be honest, don't you? then that husbandly virtue, credulity, is thrown away upon you. _Alith._ He only that could suspect my virtue should have cause to do it; 'tis Sparkish's confidence in my truth that obliges me to be so faithful to him. _Lucy._ You are not sure his opinion may last. _Alith._ I am satisfied, 'tis impossible for him to be jealous after the proofs I have had of him. Jealousy in a husband--Heaven defend me from it! it begets a thousand plagues to a poor woman, the loss of her honour, her quiet, and her-- _Lucy._ And her pleasure. _Alith._ What d'ye mean, impertinent? _Lucy._ Liberty is a great pleasure, madam. _Alith._ I say, loss of her honour, her quiet, nay, her life sometimes; and what's as bad almost, the loss of this town; that is, she is sent into the country, which is the last ill-usage of a husband to a wife, I think. _Lucy._ [_Aside._] O, does the wind lie there?--[_Aloud._] Then of necessity, madam, you think a man must carry his wife into the country, if he be wise. The country is as terrible, I find, to our young English ladies, as a monastery to those abroad; and on my virginity, I think they would rather marry a London jailer, than a high sheriff of a county, since neither can stir from his employment. Formerly women of wit married fools for a great estate, a fine seat, or the like; but now 'tis for a pretty seat only in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, St. James's-Fields, or the Pall-Mall. _Enter_ SPARKISH, _and_ HARCOURT, _dressed like a_ Parson. _Spark._ Madam, your humble servant, a happy day to you, and to us all. _Har._ Amen. _Alith._ Who have we here? _Spark._ My chaplain, faith--O madam, poor Harcourt remembers his humble service to you; and, in obedience to your last commands, refrains coming into your sight. _Alith._ Is not that he? _Spark._ No, fy, no; but to show that he ne'er intended to hinder our match, has sent his brother here to join our hands. When I get me a wife, I must get her a chaplain, according to the custom; that is his brother, and my chaplain. _Alith._ His brother! _Lucy._ And your chaplain, to preach in your pulpit then--[_Aside._ _Alith._ His brother! _Spark._ Nay, I knew you would not believe it.--I told you, sir, she would take you for your brother Frank. _Alith._ Believe it! _Lucy._ His brother! ha! ha! he! he has a trick left still, it seems. [_Aside._ _Spark._ Come, my dearest, pray let us go to church before the canonical hour is past. _Alith._ For shame, you are abused still. _Spark._ By the world, 'tis strange now you are so incredulous. _Alith._ 'Tis strange you are so credulous.