_L. Flip._ How can any one alone manage an amorous intrigue? though the birds are tame, somebody must help draw the net. If 'twere not for a woman that could make an excuse with assurance, how should we wheedle, jilt, trace, discover, countermine, undermine, and blow up the stinking fellows? which is all the pleasure I receive, or design by them; for I never admitted a man to my conversation, but for his punishment, certainly. _Chris._ Nobody will doubt that, certainly. _Re-enter_ ISABEL. _Isa._ Madam, the gentleman will not be mistaken: he says you are here, he saw you come in; he is your relation, his name's Ranger, and is come to wait upon you home. I had much ado to keep him from coming up. _Lyd._ [_To_ CHRISTINA.] Madam, for Heaven's sake, help me! 'tis yet in your power; if but, while I retire into your dining-room, you will please to personate me, and own yourself for her he pursued out of the Park: you are in mourning too, and your stature so much mine it will not contradict you. _Chris._ I am sorry, madam, I must dispute any command of yours. I have made a resolution to see the face of no man, till an unfortunate friend of mine, now out of the kingdom, return. _Lyd._ By that friend, and by the hopes you have to see him, let me conjure you to keep me from the sight of mine now. Dear madam, let your charity prevail over you superstition. _Isa._ He comes, he comes, madam! [LYDIA _withdraws, and stands unseen at the door._ _Enter_ RANGER. _Ran._ Ha! this is no Lydia. [_Aside._ _Chris._ What, unworthy defamer, has encouraged you to offer this insolence? _Ran._ She is liker Lydia in her style than her face. I see I am mistaken; but to tell her I followed her for another, were an affront rather than an excuse. She's a glorious creature! [_Aside._ _Chris._ Tell me, sir, whence had you reason for this your rude pursuit of me, into my lodgings, my chamber? why should you follow me? _Ran._ Faith, madam, because you ran away from me. _Chris._ That was no sign of an acquaintance. _Ran._ You'll pardon me, madam. _Chris._ Then, it seems, you mistook me for another, and the night is your excuse, which blots out all distinctions. But now you are satisfied in your mistake, I hope you will seek out your woman in another place. _Ran._ Madam, I allow not the excuse you make for me. If I have offended, I will rather be condemned for my love, than pardoned for my insensibility. _Lyd._ How's that? [_Aside._ _Chris._ What do you say? _Ran._ Though the night had been darker, my heart would not have suffered me to follow any one but you:--he has been too long acquainted with you to mistake you. _Lyd._ What means this tenderness? he mistook me for her sure. [_Aside._ _Chris._ What says the gentleman? did you know me then, sir?