Con. Though I am glad of the service you are pleased to say we have done you, yet I’m sorry we could do it in no other way, than by making ourselves privy to what you would, perhaps, have kept a secret.

Lady B. For Sir John’s part, I suppose he designed it no secret, since he made so much noise. And for myself, truly, I am not much concerned, since ’tis fallen only into this gentleman’s hand and your’s, who, I have many reasons to believe, will neither interpret nor report anything to my disadvantage.

Con. Your good opinion, madam, was what I feared I never could have merited.

Lady B. Your fears were vain, then, sir, for I’m just to everybody.

Heart. Pr’ythee, Constant, what is it you do to get the ladies’ good opinions? for I’m a novice at it.

Bel. Sir, will you give me leave to instruct you?

Heart. Yes, that I will, with all my soul, madam.

Bel. Why, then, you must never be a sloven; never be out of humour; never smoke tobacco; nor drink but when you are dry.

Heart. That’s hard.

Con. Nay, if you take his bottle from him, you break his heart, madam.

Bel. Why, is it possible the gentleman can love drinking?

Heart. Only by way of antidote.

Bel. Against what, pray?

Heart. Against love, madam.

Lady B. Are you afraid of being in love, sir?

Heart. I should, if there were any danger of it.

Lady B. Pray, why so?

Heart. Because I always had an aversion to being used like a dog.

Bel. Why, truly, men in love are seldom used better.

Lady B. But were you never in love, sir?

Heart. No, I thank heaven, madam.

Bel. Pray, where got you your learning, then?

Heart. From other people’s experience.

Bel. That’s being a spunger, sir, which is scarce honest; if you’d buy some experience with your own money, as ’twould be fairlier got, so ’twould stick longer by you.

Enter a Footman.

Foot. Madam, here’s my Lady Fanciful, to wait upon your ladyship.

[Exit.