Part 3 (1/2)

_Bet_. For, indeed, sir, I am no busybody, nor do I love fending nor proving; and, I a.s.sure you, sir, I hate all t.i.ttling and tattling, and gossiping and backbiting, and taking away a person's good name.

_Sid_. I observe you do, Mrs. Betty.

_Set_. I do indeed, sir. I am the farthest from it in the world.

_Sid_. I dare say you are.

_Bet_. I am indeed, sir, and so your humble servant.

_Sid_. Your servant, Mrs. Betty.

_Bet_. [_Aside, in great exultation_.] So! I see he believes every word I say,--that's charming. I'll do her business for her I am resolved.

[_Exit._

_Sid_. What can this ridiculous creature mean by her dark walk,--her private spark, her kissing, and all her slanderous insinuations against Constantia, whose conduct is as unblamable as innocence itself? I see envy is as malignant in a paltry waiting wench, as in the vainest or most ambitious lady of the court.--It is always an infallible mark of the basest nature; and merit in the lowest, as well as in the highest station, must feel the shaft of envy's constant agents--falsehood and slander.

_Enter_ SAM.

_Sam_. Sir, Mr. Egerton and Miss Constantia desire to speak with you in the china room.

_Sid_. Very well, Sam. [_Exit_ Sam.] I will not see them.--What is to be done? inform his father of his intended marriage,--no--that must not be;-- for the overbearing nature and ambitious policy of Sir Pertinax would exceed all bounds of moderation; for he is of a sharp, shrewd, unforgiving nature.--He has banished one son already, only for daring to differ from his judgment concerning the merits of a Scotch and an English historian.-- But this young man must not marry Constantia.--Would his mother were here!

She, I suppose, knows nothing of his indiscretion:--but she shall, the moment she comes. .h.i.ther. I know it will offend him; no matter: it is our duty to offend,--when that offence saves the man we love from a precipitate action, which the world must condemn, and his own heart, perhaps, upon reflection, for ever repent: yes,--I must discharge the duty of my function, and of a friend,--though I am sure to lose the man, whom I intend to serve. [_Exit._

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

_ACT II. SCENE I_.

_Enter_ CONSTANTIA _and_ EGERTON.

_Con_. Mr. Sidney is not here, sir.

_Eger_. I a.s.sure you I left him, and begged he would stay till I returned.

_Con_. His prudence, you see, sir, has made him retire; therefore we had better defer the subject till he is present; in the mean time, sir, I hope you will permit me to mention an affair that has greatly alarmed and perplexed me: I suppose you guess what it is.

_Eger_. I do not, upon my word.

_Con_. That is a little strange.--You know, sir, that you and Mr. Sidney did me the honour of breakfasting with me this morning in my little study.

_Eger_. We had that happiness, madam.

_Con_. Just after you left me, upon opening my book of accompts, which lay in the drawer of the reading desk, to my great surprise, I there found this case of jewels, containing a most elegant pair of ear-rings, a necklace of great value, and two bank bills in this pocket book, the mystery of which, sir, I presume you can explain.

_Eger_. I can.

_Con_. They were of your conveying then?