Love. Well, well, another time.-He haunts me up and down like my evil genius! [Aside. Sir Bril. Well, but you both look very grave upon it. As you will;—you have not the same reason to be in harmony with yourselves as I have―Here, here!— I came back on purpose to tell you-[Takes a shagreen case out of his pocket.] See here, my boys! See what a present has been made me!-A magnificent pair of diamond buckles, by Jupiter! Love. How! Sir Bash. A pair of diamond buckles! Sir Bril. A pair of diamond buckles, sir :-How such a thing should be sent to me, I can't conceive—but so it is-The consequence of having some tolerable phrase, a person, and being attentive to the service of the ladies. Sir Bash. And this was sent you as a present? Sir Bril. Ay, as a present.-Do you envy me? Sir Bash. I can't say but I doMy buckles, Mr. Lovemore, by all that's false in woman. [Aside to LOVEMORE. Love. Ay, he's the happy man, I see. Sir Bril. Both burning with envy, by Jupiter! [Aside. [Aside. Sir Bash. But may not this be from some lady, that imagines you sent them to her, and so she chooses to reject your present? Sir Bril. No, no-no such thing!-Had I presented the buckles, they would never have been returned.— Ladies don't reject presents, my dear Sir Bashful, from the man that is agreeable in their eyes. Sir Bash. So I believe What a jade it is! [Aside. Love. She would not have torn a letter from him. [Aside. Sir Bril. No, no, had I sent them to a lady, take my word for it, they would have been very acceptable. Sir Bash. So I suppose I make no doubt but she'll give him my three hundred pounds too! [Aside. Love. That he should be my rival, and overtop me thus! [Aside. Sir Bash. And pray now, Sir Brilliant-I suppose you expect to have this lady? Sir Bril. This is the forerunner of it, I think.-Ha! ha! Sir Bashful!-Mr. Lovemore, this it is to be in luck!-Ha ha! ha! Sir Bash. Ha! Love. } Ha! ha! [Laughs at both. [Forcing a laugh. Sir Bash. Very well, my Lady Constant !-very well, madam-very well! [Aside. Sir Bril. I swear you both are strangely piqued at my success-Sir Bashful, observe how uneasy Lovemore looks. Love. You wrong me, sir ;-I—I—I—I am not uneasy. Sir Bash. He's a true friend-He's uneasy on my account. [Aside. Sir Bril. Upon my soul, but you are uneasy!—and, dear Sir Bashful, you repine at my success. Sir Bash. Yes, sir, I do-I own it. my Sir Bril. Well, you're not disposed to be good company-I'll leave you.-Lovemore, where do you spend the evening? Love. I can't say, sir ;—I believe I shall stay here. Sir Bril. Nay, nay, if you are so snappish-I am glad to hear that, I am engaged to his wife. [Aside.] Is it not a rare present, Sir Bashful? [Pulling him by the sleeve.] Thou dear pledge of love, let me lay thee close to my heart. [Exit SIR BRILLIANT, looking at the case. Sir Bash. What think ye now, Lovemore? Love. All unaccountable to me, sir. Sir Bash. Unaccountable!-'Tis too plain-my wife's a jade—a prostitute—a courtezan! Love. I'm glad she has tore my letter, however. [Aside. Sir Bash. By all that's false, I'm gulled, cheated, imposed upon, deceived, and dubbed-Ay, here her ladyship comes-And now she shall hear her own. Love. 'Sdeath! let me fly the approaching storm Sir Bashful, your humble servant, sir-I wish you a good night. [Going. Sir Bash. You must not go-you shan't leave me in this exigence-you shall be a witness of our separation. Love. No, I can't bear the sight of her after what has pass'd-Good night— [SIR BASHFUL holds him.] D-nation! I must weather it! [Aside. Enter LADY CONSTANT. Lady Con. I am surprised, Mr. Lovemore, that you will offer to stay a moment longer in this house. Love. How the devil shall I give a turn to this affair? [Aside. Sir Bash. Mr. Lovemore is my friend, madam; and I desire he'll stay here as long as he pleases, madam. Love. All must come out. [Aside. Lady Con. Your friend, Sir Bashful!-And do you authorize him to make sport of me, sir?—I wonder, Mr. Lovemore, you would think of sending me such a letter! Do you presume, sir, upon my having admitted a trifling act of civility from you?-Do you come disguised, sir, under a mask of friendship to undo me? Love. It's a coming. [Aside. Sir Bash. A mask of friendship!—I know Mr. Lovemore too well, and I desired him to send that letter. Love. Sir Bashful desired me, madam. Sir Bash. I desired him, madam. Lady Con. What, to affront me, sir? Sir Bash. There was not one word of truth in it. Sir Bash. It was all done to try you, madam; merely to know you a little or so. Love. Merely to know you! pure innocent mirth. Lady Con. And am I to be treated thus, sir; to be ever tormented by you?-And could you, Mr. Lovemore, be so unmanly as to make yourself an accomplice in so mean an attempt to ensnare me? Sir Bash. To ensnare me !-She calls it ensnaring— It is pretty plain from all that has pass'd between us that our tempers are not fit for one another; and I now tell you that I am ready to part as soon as you please. Nay I will part. Lady Con. That is the only thing we can agree in, sir. Sir Bash. Had that letter come from another quarter, I know it would have been highly acceptable. Lady Con. I disdain the imputation! Sir Bash. I will vent no more reproaches-This is the last of our conversing together-And take this with you, by the way, you are not to believe one word of that letter-And as to any passion, that any body declares for you, there was no such thing-was there, Lovemore? [Goes over to him. Love. He states it all very right, madam. Sir Bash. Let us laugh at her, Lovemore. Ha! ha! ha! Love. Silly devil!-I can't help laughing at him. [Aside.] Ha! ha! ha! Sir Bash. Ha! ha! ha!-all a bam, madam !—ha! ha! nothing else in the world!-all to make sport of you. Ha ha ha! Lady Con. I cannot bear this usage any longerTwo such brutes!-Is my chair ready there?--You may depend, sir, this is the last you will see of me in your house. [Exit LADY CONSTANT. Sir Bash. A bargain, madam, with all my heart!— Ha! ha! Lovemore, this was well managed. Love. Charmingly managed, indeed!—I did not think had so much spirit in you. you Sir Bash. I have found her out-I know her at last.But, Mr. Lovemore, never own the letter; deny it to the last. Love. You may depend upon me. Sir Bash. I return you a thousand thanks.—A foolish woman, how she stands in her own light! Love. Truly, I think she does.-Sir Bashful, I am mighty sorry I could not succeed better in this affair. Sir Bash. And so am I, Love. I have done my best, you see-and now I'll take my leave. Sir Bash. Nay, stay a little longer. Love. Had your lady proved tractable, I should not care how long I staid—but as things are situated, your humble servant, Sir Bashful.-Well off this bout-well off! [Aside. Sir Bash. Mr. Lovemore, your servant; a good night to you. But harkye, Mr. Lovemore; if I can serve you with your lady Love. I thank you as much as if you did. Sir Bash. Be sure you deny every thing.-Fare you well.[Exit LOVEMORE.] Sideboard, see the gentleman out. -He is a true friend indeed! I should have been undone but for him.-My Lady Constant! My Lady Constant!-Let me drive her from my thoughts.Can I do it?-Rage, fury, love,-think no more of love- -I never will own a tittle of that letter.Odso! yonder it lies in fragments upon the groundI'll pick them up this moment-keep them safe in my own custody-And, as to Sir Brilliant, I shall know how to proceed with madam in regard to him-I'll watch them both if I can but get ocular demonstration of her guilt-If I can but get the means in my power, to prove to the whole world that she is vile enough to cuckold me, I shall be happy. [Exit. |