_Ran._ Well, my dearest cousin, good-morrow. When I stay from you so long again, blame me to purpose, and be extremely angry; for nothing can make me amends for the loss of your company, but your reprehension of my absence. I'll take such a chiding as kindly as Russian wives do beating. _Lyd._ If you were my husband, I could not take your absence more kindly than I do. _Ran._ And if you were my wife, I would trust you as much out of my sight as I could, to show my opinion of your virtue. _L. Flip._ A well-bred gentleman, I warrant.--Will you go then, cruel Mr. Dapperwit? [_Exeunt_ RANGER _and_ DAPPERWIT, _followed by_ Lady FLIPPANT. _Lyd._ Have I not dissembled well, Leonore? _Leo._ But, madam, to what purpose? why do you not put him to his trial, and see what he can say for himself? _Lyd._ I am afraid lest my proofs, and his guilt, should make him desperate, and so contemn that pardon which he could not hope for. _Leo._ 'Tis unjust to condemn him before you hear him. _Lyd._ I will reprieve him till I have more evidence. _Leo._ How will you get it? _Lyd._ I will write him a letter in Christina's name, desiring to meet him; when I shall soon discover if his love to her be of a longer standing than since last night; and if it be not, I will not longer trust him with the vanity to think she gave him the occasion to follow her home from the Park; so will at once disabuse him and myself. _Leo._ What care the jealous take in making sure of ills which they, but in imagination, cannot undergo! _Lyd._ Misfortunes are least dreadful when most near: 'Tis less to undergo the ill, than fear. [_Exeunt._ ACT THE FOURTH. SCENE I.--_A Room in_ GRIPE'S _House._ _Enter_ Mrs. JOYNER _and_ GRIPE, _the latter in a blue gown and nightcap._ _Mrs. Joyn._ What, not well, your worship! This it is, you will be laying out yourself beyond your strength. You have taken a surfeit of the little gentlewoman, I find. Indeed you should not have been so immoderate in your embraces; your worship is something in years, in truly. _Gripe._ Graceless, perfidious woman! what makest thou here? art thou not afraid to be used like an informer, since thou hast made me pay thee for betraying me? _Mrs. Joyn._ Betray your worship! what do you mean? I an informer! I scorn your words! _Gripe._ Woman, I say again, thou art as treacherous as an informer, and more unreasonable; for he lets us have something for our money before he disturb us. _Mrs. Joyn._ Your money, I'm sure, was laid out faithfully; and I went away because I would not disturb you. _Gripe._ I had not grudged you the money I gave you:--but the five hundred pounds! the five hundred pounds! Inconscionable, false woman, the five hundred pounds!--You cheated, trepanned, robbed me, of the five hundred pounds! _Mrs. Joyn._ I cheat you! I rob you!--well, remember what you say, you shall answer it before Mr. Doublecap and the best of--