Volume Iv Part 19 (1/2)

Enter Sir _Patient_, looking over her Shoulder a tip-toe.

_Maun._ Heaven! here's Sir _Patient_, Madam.

L. _Fan._ Hah,--and 'tis too late to hide the Paper; I was just going to subscribe my Name.

Sir _Pat._ Good morrow, my Lady _Fancy_, your Ladys.h.i.+p is well employ'd, I see.

L. _Fan._ Indeed I was, and pleasantly too: I am writing a Love-letter, Sir.--But, my Dear, what makes you so soon up?

Sir _Pat._ A Love-letter!--let me see't. [Goes to take it.

L. _Fan._ I'll read it to you, Sir.

_Maun._ What mean you, Madam? [Aside.

Lady _Fancy_ reads.

It was but yesterday you swore you lov'd me, and I poor easy Fool believ'd; but your last Night's Infidelity has undeceiv'd my Heart, and render'd you the falsest Man that ever Woman sigh'd for. Tell me, how durst you, when I had prepared all things for our Enjoyment, be so great a Devil to deceive my languis.h.i.+ng Expectations? and in your room send one that has undone

Your--

_Maun._ Sure she's mad to read this to him.

Sir _Pat._ Hum,--I profess ingenuously--I think it is indeed a Love-letter. My Lady _Fancy_, what means all this? as I take it, here are Riddles and Mysteries in this Business.

L. _Fan._ Which thus, Sir, I'll unfold.-- [Takes the Pen, and writes _Isabella_.

Sir _Pat._ How! undone--Your--_Isabella_, meaning my Daughter?

L. _Fan._ Yes, my Dear, going this morning into her Chamber, she not being there, I took up a Letter that lay open on her Table, and out of curiosity read it; as near as I can remember 'twas to this purpose: I writ it out now, because I had a mind thou shou'dst see't; for I can hide nothing from thee.

Sir _Pat._ A very good Lady, I profess! to whom is it directed?

L. _Fan._ Why,--Sir--What shall I say, I cannot lay it now on _Lodwick_-- [Aside.

I believe she meant it to Mr. _Fainlove_, for whom else cou'd it be design'd? she being so soon to marry him.

Sir _Pat._ Hah,--Mr. _Fainlove_! so soon so fond and amorous!

L. _Fan._ Alas, 'tis the excusable fault of all young Women, thou knowst I was just such another Fool to thee, so fond--and so in love.--

Sir _Pat._ Ha,--thou wert indeed, my Lady _Fancy_, indeed thou wert.--But I will keep the Letter however, that this idle Baggage may know I understand her Tricks and Intrigues.

[Puts up the Letter.

L. _Fan._ Nay then 'twill out: No, I beseech you, Sir, give me the Letter, I wou'd not for the World _Isabella_ shou'd know of my theft, 'twou'd appear malicious in me:--Besides, Sir, it does not befit your Gravity to be concern'd in the little Quarrels of Lovers.

Sir _Pat._ Lovers! Tell me not of Lovers, my Lady _Fancy_; with Reverence to your good Ladys.h.i.+p, I value not whether there be Love between 'em or not. Pious Wedlock is my Business,--nay, I will let him know his own too, that I will, with your Ladys.h.i.+p's permission.

L. _Fan._ How unlucky I am!--Sir, as to his Chastis.e.m.e.nt, use your own discretion, in which you do abound most plentifully. But pray let not _Isabella_ hear of it; for as I wou'd preserve my Duty to thee, by communicating all things to thee, so I wou'd conserve my good Opinion with her.

Sir _Pat._ Ah, what a Blessing I possess in so excellent a Wife! and in regard I am every day descending to my Grave.--ah--I will no longer hide from thee the Provision I have made for thee, in case I die.--