Part 3 (2/2)

_Col. Town_. His brother, Tom Fas.h.i.+on, is come down here, and we have it in contemplation to save him the trouble of his intended wedding: but we want your a.s.sistance. Tom would have called but he is preparing for his enterprise, so I promised to bring you to him--so, sir, if these ladies can spare you-- _Love_. I'll go with you with all my heart.--[_Aside_.]

Though I could wish, methinks, to stay and gaze a little longer on that creature. Good G.o.ds! how engaging she is!--but what have I to do with beauty? I have already had my portion, and must not covet more.

_Aman_. Mr. Loveless, pray one word with you before you go.

[_Exit_ COLONEL TOWNLY.

_Love_. What would my dear?

_Aman_. Only a woman's foolish question: how do you like my cousin here?

_Love_. Jealous already, Amanda?

_Aman_. Not at all: I ask you for another reason.

_Love_. [_Aside_.] Whate'er her reason be, I must not tell her true.--[_Aloud_.] Why, I confess, she's handsome: but you must not think I slight your kinswoman, if I own to you, of all the women who may claim that character, she is the last that would triumph in my heart.

_Aman_. I'm satisfied.

_Love_. Now tell me why you asked?

_Aman_. At night I will--adieu!

_Love_. I'm yours. [_Kisses her and exit_.]

_Aman_. I'm glad to find he does not like her, for I have a great mind to persuade her to come and live with me.

[_Aside_.]

_Ber_. So! I find my colonel continues in his airs; there must be something more at the bottom of this than the provocation he pretends from me. [_Aside_.]

_Aman_. For Heaven's sake, Berinthia, tell me what way I shall take to persuade you to come and live with me.

_Ber_. Why, one way in the world there is, and but one.

_Aman_. And pray what is that?

_Ber_. It is to a.s.sure me--I shall be very welcome.

_Aman_. If that be all, you shall e'en sleep here to-night.

_Ber_. To-night.

_Aman_. Yes, to-night.

_Ber_. Why, the people where I lodge will think me mad.

_Aman_. Let 'em think what they please.

_Ber_. Say you so, Amanda? Why, then, they shall think what they please: for I'm a young widow, and I care not what anybody thinks.--Ah, Amanda, it's a delicious thing to be a young widow!

_Aman_. You'll hardly make me think so.

_Ber_. Poh! because you are in love with your husband.

_Aman_. Pray, 'tis with a world of innocence I would inquire whether you think those we call women of reputation do really escape all other men as they do those shadows of beaux.

_Ber_. Oh no, Amanda; there are a sort of men make dreadful work amongst 'em, men that may be called the beau's antipathy, for they agree in nothing but walking upon two legs. These have brains, the beau has none. These are in love with their mistress, the beau with himself. They take care of their reputation, the beau is industrious to destroy it. They are decent, he's a fop; in short, they are men, he's an a.s.s.

_Aman_. If this be their character, I fancy we had here, e'en now, a pattern of 'em both.

_Ber_. His lords.h.i.+p and Colonel Townly?

_Aman_. The same.

_Ber_. As for the lord, he is eminently so; and for the other, I can a.s.sure you there's not a man in town who has a better interest with the women that are worth having an interest with.

_Aman_. He answers the opinion I had ever of him. [_Takes her hand_.] I must acquaint you with a secret--'tis not that fool alone has talked to me of love; Townly has been tampering too.

_Ber_. [_Aside_.] So, so! here the mystery comes out!-- [_Aloud_.] Colonel Townly! impossible, my dear!

_Aman_. 'Tis true indeed; though he has done it in vain; nor do I think that all the merit of mankind combined could shake the tender love I bear my husband; yet I will own to you, Berinthia, I did not start at his addresses, as when they came from one whom I contemned.

_Ber. [Aside_.] Oh, this is better and better!-- [_Aloud_.] Well said, Innocence! and you really think, my dear, that nothing could abate your constancy and attachment to your husband?

_Aman_. Nothing, I am convinced.

_Ber_. What, if you found he loved another woman better?

_Aman_. Well!

_Ber_. Well!--why, were I that thing they call a slighted wife, somebody should run the risk of being that thing they call--a husband. Don't I talk madly?

_Aman_. Madly indeed!

_Ber_. Yet I'm very innocent.

_Aman_. That I dare swear you are. I know how to make allowances for your humour: but you resolve then never to marry again?

_Ber_. Oh no! I resolve I will.

_Aman_. How so?

_Ber_. That I never may.

_Aman_. You banter me.

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