Heart. Well, we won’t hinder business.

Sir J. Methinks, I don’t know how to leave you two; but, for once, I must make bold. Or, look you! may be, the conference mayn’t last long. So, if you’ll wait here half-an-hour, or an hour; if I don’t come then, why, then, I won’t come at all.

Heart. [apart to CON]. A good modest proposition, truly!

Con. [apart to HEART.]. But let’s accept on’t, however. Who knows what may happen?

Heart. Well, sir, to shew you how fond we are of your company, we’ll expect your return as long as we can.

Sir J. Nay, may be I mayn’t stay at all; but business, you know, must be done: so, your servant. Or, hark you! if you have a mind to take a frisk with us, I have an interest with my lord; I can easily introduce you.

Con. We are much beholden to you; but, for my part, I’m engaged another way.

Sir J. What, to your mistress, I’ll warrant. P’rythee, leave her to her own thoughts, and make one with us to-night.

Con. Sir, ’tis business that is to employ me.

Heart. And me; and business must be done, you know.

Sir J. Ay, women’s business, though the world were consumed for’t.

[Exit.

Con. Farewell, beast! and now, my dear friend, would my mistress be but as complaisant as some men’s wives, who think it a piece of good-breeding to receive the visits of their husband’s friends in his absence—

Heart. Why, for your sake, I could forgive her. But what way shall we invent to see her?

Con. Oh! never hope it: invention will prove as vain as wishes.

Enter Lady BRUTE and BELINDA.

Heart. What do you think now, friend?

[Apart to CON.

Con. I think I shall swoon.

[Apart to HEART.

Heart. I’ll speak first, then, while you fetch breath. [Apart to CON.

Lady B. We think ourselves obliged, gentlemen, to come and return you thanks for your knight-errantry. We were just upon being devoured by the fiery dragon.

Bel. Did not his fumes almost knock you down, gentlemen?

Heart. Truly, ladies, we did undergo some hardships; and should have done more, if some greater heroes than ourselves hard by had not diverted him.