Bel. Liberty of speech entire, sir.

Lady F. [aside]. Very pretty, truly! But how the blockhead went out languishing at her; and not a look towards me! Well, people may talk, but miracles are not ceased. For, ’tis more than natural, such a rude fellow as he is, and such a little impertinent as she should be capable of making a woman of my sphere uneasy. But I can bear her sight no longer, methinks she’s grown ten times uglier than Cornet. I must home and study revenge. [To Lady B.] Madam, your humble servant; I must take my leave.

Lady B. What, going already, madam?

Lady F. I must beg you’ll excuse me this once; for, really, I have eighteen visits to return this afternoon; so, you see, I’m importuned by the women as well as the men. [Going.] Nay, you sha’n’t go one step out of the room.

Lady B. Indeed, I’ll wait upon you down.

Lady F. No, sweet Lady Brute, you know I swoon at ceremony.

Lady B. Pray, give me leave.

Lady F. You know I won’t.

Lady B. Indeed I must.

Lady F. Indeed you sha’n’t.

Lady B. Indeed I will.

Lady F. Indeed you sha’n’t.

Lady B. Indeed I will.

Lady F. Indeed you sha’n’t. Indeed, indeed, indeed you sha’n’t.

[Exit running; they follow.

Re-enter Lady BRUTE.

Lady B. This impertinent woman has put me out of humour for a fortnight. What an agreeable moment has her foolish visit interrupted! Lord! what a pleasure there is in doing what we should not do!

Enter CONSTANT. Ah! here again!

Con. Though the renewing my visit may seem a little irregular, I hope, I shall obtain your pardon for it, madam, when you know I only left the room lest the lady who was here should have been as malicious in her remarks as she is foolish in her conduct.

Lady B. He who has discretion enough to be tender of a woman’s reputation, carries a virtue about him that may atone for a great many faults.

Con. If it has a title to atone for any, its pretensions must needs be strongest, where the crime is love. But I hope it cannot be reckoned an offence to love, where it is a duty to adore.

Lady B. ’Tis an offence, a great one, where it would rob a woman of all she ought to be adored for—her virtue.