The Busie Body | Page 7

what a wretched Disappointment we have met with: Just as I had fetch'd a Suit of my Cloaths for a Disguise: comes my old Master into his Closet, which is right against her Chamber Door; this struck us into a terrible Fright--At length I put on a Grave Face, and ask'd him if he was at leisure for his Chocolate, in hopes to draw him out of his Hole; but he snap'd my Nose off, No, I shall be busie here this two Hours; at which my poor Mistress seeing no way of Escape, order'd me to wait on your Ladiship with the sad Relation.
_Miran._ Unhappy _Isabinda!_ Was ever any thing so unaccountable as the Humour of Sir Jealousie Traffick.
_Patch._ Oh, Madam, it's his living so long in Spain, he vows he'll spend half his Estate, but he'll be a Parliament-Man, on purpose to bring in a Bill for Women to wear Veils, and the other odious Spanish Customs--He swears it is the height of Impudence to have a Woman seen Bare-fac'd even at Church, and scarce believes there's a true begotten Child in the City.
_Miran._ Ha, ha, ha, how the old Fool torments himself! Suppose he could introduce his rigid Rules--does he think we cou'd not match them in Contrivance? No, no; Let the Tyrant Man make what Laws he will, if there's a Woman under the Government, I warrant she finds a way to break 'em: Is his Mind set upon the Spaniard for his Son-in-law still?
_Patch._ Ay, and he expects him by the next Fleet, which drives his Daughter to Melancholy and Despair: But, Madam, I find you retain the same gay, cheerful Spirit you had, when I waited on your Ladiship.--My Lady is mighty good-humour'd too, and I have found a way to make Sir Jealousie believe I am wholly in his Interest, when my real Design is to serve her; he makes me her Jaylor, and I set her at Liberty.
_Miran._ I know thy Prolifick Brain wou'd be of singular Service to her, or I had not parted with thee to her Father.
_Patch._ But, Madam, the Report is that you are going to marry your Guardian.
_Miran._ It is necessary such a Report shou'd be, Patch.
_Patch._ But is it true, Madam?
_Miran._ That's not absolutely necessary.
_Patch._ I thought it was only the old Strain, coaxing him still for your own, and railing at all the young Fellows about Town; in my Mind now, you are as ill plagu'd with your Guardian, Madam, as my Lady is with her Father.
_Miran._ No, I have Liberty, Wench, that she wants; what would she give now to be in this dissabilee in the--open Air, nay more, in pursuit of the young Fellow she likes; for that's my Case, I assure thee.
_Patch._ As for that, Madam, she's even with you; for tho' she can't come abroad, we have a way to bring him home in spight of old Argus.
_Miran._ Now Patch, your Opinion of my Choice, for here he comes--Ha! my Guardian with him; what can be the meaning of this? I'm sure Sir Francis can't know me in this Dress--Let's observe 'em. (_They withdraw._
_Enter Sir Francis Gripe and Sir George Airy._
Sir _Fran._ Verily, Sir George, thou wilt repent throwing away thy Money so, for I tell thee sincerely, Miranda, my Charge do's not love a young Fellow, they are all vicious, and seldom make good Husbands; in sober Sadness she cannot abide 'em.
_Miran._ (_Peeping._) In sober Sadness you are mistaken--what can this mean?
Sir _Geo._ Look ye, Sir Francis, whether she can or cannot abide young Fellows is not the Business; will you take the fifty Guineas?
Sir _Fran._ In good truth--I will not, for I knew thy Father, he was a hearty wary Man, and I cannot consent that his Son should squander away what he sav'd, to no purpose.
_Mirand._ (_Peeping._) Now, in the Name of Wonder, what Bargain can he be driving about me for fifty Guineas?
_Patch._ I wish it ben't for the first Night's Lodging, Madam.
Sir _Geo._ Well, Sir Francis, since you are so conscientious for my Father's sake, then permit me the Favour, Gratis.
_Miran._ (_Peeping._) The Favour! Oh my Life! I believe 'tis as you said, Patch.
Sir _Fran._ No verily, if thou dost not buy thy Experience, thou wou'd never be wise; therefore give me a Hundred and try Fortune.
Sir _Geo._ The Scruples arose, I find, from the scanty Sum--Let me see--a Hundred Guineas-- (_Takes 'em out of a Purse and chinks 'em._) Ha! they have a very pretty Sound, and a very pleasing Look--But then, _Miranda_--But if she should be cruel--
_Miran._ (_Peeping._) As Ten to One I shall--
Sir _Fran._ Ay, do consider on't, He, he, he, he.
Sir _Geo._ No, I'll do't.
_Patch._ Do't, what, whether you will or no, Madam?
Sir _Geo._ Come to the Point, here's the Gold, sum