Volume I Part 53 (1/2)

_Aria._ Hold, if she take him not away, I shall disappoint my Man-- faith, I'll not be out-done in Generosity.

[Gives him to _La Nuche_.

Here-- Love deserves him best-- and I resign him-- Pox on't I'm honest, tho that's no fault of mine; 'twas Fortune who has made a worse Exchange, and you and I should suit most d.a.m.nably together.

[To _Beau._

_Beau._ I am sure there's something in the Wind, she being in the Garden, and the Door left open. [Aside.] --Yes, I believe you are willing enough to part with me, when you expect another you like better.

_Aria._ I'm glad I was before-hand with you then.

_Beau._ Very good, and the Door was left open to give admittance to a Lover.

_Aria._ 'Tis visible it was to let one in to you, false as you are.

_La Nu._ Faith, Madam, you mistake my Const.i.tution, my Beauty and my Business is only to be belov'd not to love; I leave that Slavery for you Women of Quality, who must invite, or die without the Blessing; for likely the Fool you make choice of wants Wit or Confidence to ask first; you are fain to whistle before the Dogs will fetch and carry, and then too they approach by stealth: and having done the Drudgery, the submissive Curs are turn'd out for fear of dirtying your Apartment, or that the Mungrils should scandalize ye; whilst all my Lovers of the n.o.ble kind throng to adore and fill my Presence daily, gay as if each were triumphing for Victory.

_Aria._ Ay this is something; what a poor sneaking thing an honest Woman is!

_La Nu._ And if we chance to love still, there's a difference, your Hours of Love are like the Deeds of Darkness, and mine like cheerful Birds in open Day.

_Aria._ You may, you have no Honour to lose.

_La Nu._ Or if I had, why should I double the Sin by Hypocrisy?

[_Lucia_ squeaks within, crying, help, help.

_Aria._ Heavens, that's _Lucia's_ Voice.

_Beau._ Hah, more caterwauling?

Enter _Lucia_ in haste.

_Luc._ Oh, Madam, we're undone; and, Sir, for Heaven's sake do you retire.

_Beau._ What's the matter?

_Luc._ Oh you have brought the most villainous mad Friend with you-- he found me sitting on a Bank-- and did so ruffle me.

_Aria._ Death, she takes _Beaumond_ for the Stranger, and will ruin me.

_Luc._ Nay, made love so loud, that my Lord your Father-in-law, who was in his Cabinet, heard us from the Orange-Grove, and has sent to search the Garden-- and should he find a Stranger with you-- do but you retire, Sir, and all's well yet.

[To _Beaumond_.

_Aria._ The Devil's in her Tongue. [Aside.

_Luc._ For if Mr. _Beaumond_ be in the House, we shall have the Devil to do with his Jealousy.

_Aria._ So, there 'tis out.

_Beau._ She takes me for another-- I am jilted every where-- what Friend?-- I brought none with me.-- Madam, do you retire-- [To _La Nuche_.

_La Nu._ Glad of my Freedom too-- [Goes out.