Heart. This might have proved a dear one, though.

Lady B. You are the more obliged to us for the risk we run upon your accounts.

Con. And I hope you’ll acknowledge something due to our knight errantry, ladies. This is the second time we have delivered you.

Lady B. ’Tis true: and since we see fate has destined you for our guardians, ’twill make us the more willing to trust ourselves in your hands. But you must not have the worse opinion of us for our innocent frolic.

Heart. Ladies, you may command our opinion in everything that is to your advantage.

Bel. Then, sir, I command you to be of opinion, that women are sometimes better than they appear to be.

[Lady B. and CONSTANT talk apart.

Heart. Madam, you have made a convert of me in everything. I’m grown a fool. I could be fond of a woman.

Bel. I thank you, sir, in the name of the whole sex.

Heart. Which sex nothing but yourself could ever have atoned for.

Bel. Now has my vanity a devilish itch to know in what my merit consists.

Heart. In your humility, madam, that keeps you ignorant it consists at all.

Bel. One other compliment, with that serious face, and I hate you for ever after.

Heart. Some women love to be abused; is that it you would be at?

Bel. No, not that neither; but I’d have men talk plainly what’s fit for women to hear, without putting them to a real or an affected blush.

Heart. Why, then, in as plain terms as I can find to express myself, I could love you even to matrimony itself—almost, egad!

Bel. Just as Sir John did her ladyship there—

Heart. Dear creature! do but try me.

Bel. That’s the surest way, indeed, to know; but not the safest.—[To Lady B.]. Madam, are you not for taking a turn in the great walk? It’s almost dark; nobody will know us.

Lady B. Really, I find myself something idle, Belinda: besides, I dote upon this little, odd, private corner. But don’t let my lazy fancy confine you.

Con. [aside]. So, she would be left alone with me! that’s well.

Bel. Well, we’ll take one turn, and come to you again.—[To HEARTFREE]. Come, sir, shall we go pry into the secrets of the garden? Who knows what discoveries we may make?

Heart. Madam, I am at your service.

Con. [aside to HEARTFREE]. Don’t make too much haste back; for, d’ye hear?—I may be busy.