Madem. Den take your scarf and your mask, and go to de rendezvous. De Frense laty do justement comme ça.

Lady F. Rendezvous! What, rendezvous with a man, mademoiselle?

Madem. Eh! pourquoi non?

Lady F. What, and a man, perhaps, I never saw in my life!

Madem. Tant mieux: c’est, done, quelque chose de nouveau.

Lady F. Why, how do I know what designs he may have? He may intend to ravish me, for aught I know.

Madem. Ravish! Bagatelle! I would fain see one impudent rogue ravish mademoiselle. Oui, je le voudrois.

Lady F. Oh! but my reputation, mademoiselle, my reputation: ah! ma chère reputation!

Madem. Matam, quand on l’a une fois perdus, on n’en est plus embarrassée.

Lady F. Fie! mademoiselle, fie! reputation is a jewel.

Madem. Qui coute bien chère, matam.

Lady F. Why, sure, you would not sacrifice your honour to your pleasure?

Madem. Je suis philosophe.

Lady F. Bless me, how you talk! Why, what if honour be a burden, mademoiselle, must it not be borne?

Madem. Chacun a sa façon. Quand quelque chose m’incommode moi, je m’en defais vite.

Lady F. Get you gone, you little naughty Frenchwoman, you! I vow and swear I must turn you out of doors, if you talk thus.

Madem. Turn me out of doors! turn yourself out of doors, and go see what de gentleman have to say to you. Tenez! Voila [giving her her things hastily] votre esharp, votre coife, votre masque, voilà tout. Hey! mercure, coquin! call one chair for matam, and one oder [calling within] for me. Va-t-en vite. [Turning to her lady, and helping her on hastily with her things.] Allons, matam! depêchez vous, done. Mon dieu! quelles scruples!

Lady F. Well, for once, mademoiselle, I’ll follow your advice, out of the intemperate desire I have to know who this ill-bred fellow is. But I have too much delicatesse to make a practice on’t.

Madem. Belle chose, vraiment, que la delicatesse, lorsqu’il s’agit de divertir—a ça. Vous voilà équipée, partons. Hé bien! qu’avez vous, done?

Lady F. J’ai peur.

Madem. Je n’en ai point moi.

Lady F. I dare not go.

Madem. Démeurez done.

Lady F. Je suis poltrone.

Madem. Tant pis pour vous.