Scarborough and the Critic | Page 9

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 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,