Scarborough and the Critic | Page 9

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 ass.?Aman. If this be their character, I fancy we had here,?e'en now, a pattern of 'em both.?Ber. His lordship and Colonel Townly??Aman. The same.?Ber. As for the lord, he is eminently so; and for the?other, I can assure 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.?Ber. Indeed I don't: but I consider I'm a woman, and form my resolutions accordingly.?Aman. Well, my opinion is, form what resolutions you will, matrimony will be the end on't.?Ber. I doubt it--but a--Heavens! I have business at home, and am half an hour too late.?Aman. As you are to return with me, I'll just give some?orders, and walk with you.?Ber. Well, make haste, and we'll finish this subject as we go--[Exit AMANDA.]. Ah, poor Amanda! you have led a?country life. Well, this discovery is lucky! Base Townly! at once false to me and treacherous to his friend!--And my innocent and demure cousin too! I have it in my power to be revenged on her, however. Her husband, if I have any skill in countenance, would be as happy in my smiles as Townly can hope to be in hers. I'll make the experiment, come what will on't. The woman who can forgive the being robbed of a favoured lover, must be either an idiot or a wanton. [Exit.]
ACT III.
SCENE I.--LORD FOPPINGTON's _Lodgings.?Enter_ LORD FOPPINGTON, and LA VAROLE.?Lord Fop. Hey, fellow, let thy vis-a-vis come to the door. La Var. Will your lordship venture so soon to expose?yourself to the weather??Lord Fop. Sir, I will venture as soon as I can expose?myself to the ladies.?La Var. I wish your lordship would please to keep house a little longer; I'm afraid your honour does not well consider your wound.?Lord Fop. My wound!--I would not be in eclipse another?day, though I had as many wounds in my body as I have had in my heart. So mind, Varole, let these cards be left as directed; for this evening I shall wait on my future father-in-law, Sir?Tunbelly, and I mean to commence my devoirs to the lady, by giving an entertainment at her father's expense; and hark thee, tell Mr. Loveless I request he and his company will honour me with their presence, or I shall think we are not friends.?La Var. I will be sure, milor. [Exit.]?Enter TOM FASHION.?Fash. Brother, your servant; how do you find yourself to-day? Lord Fop. So well that I have ardered my coach to the?door--so there's no danger of death this baut, Tam.?Fash. I'm very glad of it.?Lord Fop. [Aside.] That I believe a lie.--?[Aloud.] Pr'ythee, Tam, tell me one thing--did not your?heart cut a caper up to your mauth, when you heard I was run through the bady??Fash. Why do