Sir H. Flut. A provoking, impertinent littleLady Flut. How dare you call me names, sir? I won't be called names, I'll tell my papa of this, so I will. Sir H. Flut. Pretty baby, laugh and cry Enter LORD MEDWAY. For shame, wipe your eyes, don't let him see you thus. [Aside to LADY FLUTTER. -I'll go Lady Flut. I don't care who sees me; I'll bear it no longer. I'll write to my papa to send for meto my uncle Branville's this very night. Lord M. Lady Flutter! I am sorry to see you in tears, madam, I did not know you had been at home— Sir Harry, I ask your pardon, perhaps I intrude-no afflicting news, I hope. Sir H. Flut. News! no, no, there is nothing new in the case, I assure you, my lord. Lord M. Then, Sir Harry, I am afraid you are in fault here. Lady Flut. [Sobbing.] Indeed, my lord, he is always in fault. Sir H. Flut. If your lordship will take her word for it. Lord M. I should be glad to mediate between you, but I really don't know how, unless I were informed of your cause of quarrel. - Sir H. Flut. I'll tell you, my lord- Lady Flut. I say you did, Sir Harry, on purpose to tease me, and talk nonsense to me Lord M. Oh, fie, Sir Harry, could you find no better entertainment for your lady, than talking nonsense?— This is a sad account. [Aside to him. Sir H. Flut. Faith, my lord, a man must unbend sometimes, and indulge in a little foolery-Life would be tedious else. Lady Flut. And there he went on, repeating silly verses, to show he wanted to get rid of me. Sir H. Flut. Mere raillery, my lord; but she does not understand it. Lady Flut. I should not have minded that so much neither, for I could be even with him in his gibing airs, if he had not at last called me names, downright abusive names, my lord: but I'll put an end to it at [She goes to the glass drying her eyes. Lord M. All wrong—all wrong-was this the advice I gave you? [Aside to SIR HARRY. Sir H. Flut. My lord, you can't imagine how provoking she was. once. Lady Flut. I dare say, my papa will be very ready to take me home again. Lord M. This must not be; yet don't you to desire her stay, I'll try to persuade her. condescend [side to SIR HARRY. Sir H. Flut. Ough, she's a vixen ! [LADY FLUTTER rings a bell. Lord M. I'll establish your empire, I'll engage, if you will give me the opportunity of talking with her. [Aside to SIR HARRY. Sir H. Flut. Faith I wish you would, for I am almost tired of the struggle. [Aside to LORD MEDWAY. Enter a SERVANT. Lady Flut. Are my chairmen in the way? Serv. I'll see, madam. Lady Flut. If they are, order them to get ready. [Exit SERVANT, Lord M. Going a visiting so soon, Lady Flutter? Lady Flut. Only to my uncle Branville's, my lord; it is proper to acquaint him with my design. Lord M. Make some excuse quickly to leave us, or all will be over. [Aside to SIR HARRY. Sir H. Flut. I will-you shall see-Bless me! Well, I am sure-ly the most thoughtless fellow breathing. [SIR HARRY takes out his pocket-book, and turns over the leaves.] My lord, can you forgive my rudeness now, if I run away from you? I must show you the nature of my engagement though, and that, I hope, will be some apology-Wednesday, half an hour after five-you see-it's almost that already Lord M. Humph! Sir H. Flut. Perhaps I mayn't stay long-I am very sorry to leave your lordship alone though; but you'll forgive me. [Exit SIR HARRY FLUTTER, without looking at LADY FLUTTER. Lord M. Leave me alone! 'Twere well if you were going to half as good company as that in which you leave me. [Half aside. Lady Flut. [Turning about.] What does your lordship say? Lord M. Nothing, ma'am, but that I can excuse Sir Harry's going, as he leaves me in such good company. Lady Flut. Oh, my lord, I am nobody in Sir Harry's opinion; but indeed, at present, I should be but a very dull companion to any one; so I am sure your lordship will excuse me if I take my leave. Lord M. A quarter of an hour, I hope, ma'am, will not break in too much upon your time. Enter a SERVANT. Serv. My master is gone out in your chair, madam; he said you might take the chariot; will your ladyship please to have it ordered? Lady Flut. Gone out in my chair! See there, my lord! did you ever know the like? I won't have the chariot -call me a hackney chair. [Exit SERVANT.] Pray, my lord, where is he gone? I saw he showed you his me morandum. Lord M. Gone! on business, I think, of some kind. Lady Flut. Business!I don't know of any business that he has; I am sure it is some other engage ment. Lord M. Oh-what am I thinking of? 'tis to the play. Lady Flut. The play! he could not have been in such a hurry for that, 'tis too early. Lord M. He was to go with a party, and to call on some people by the way; that was the case. Lady Flut. I don't much care; but I am sure that was not the thing neither; for I heard you say, it were well if he were going to half as good company, as that in which he left you. Lord M. And that I should certainly say, ma'am, let him be going to whom he would. But Sir Harry has a depraved taste. Lady Flut. I don't doubt but he is going to some of his tavern ladies. With all my heart; I don't love him well enough to be jealous of him. Lord M. I wish you did, for that would help on my work. [Aside.] Why, indeed, my dear Lady Flutter, I can't say that Sir Harry is quite so deserving of you, as I could wish he were. But he is a mere boy, and can't be supposed to be so sensible of your merit, as those are, who have had a little more experience in the sex. Lady Flut. I sha'n't be long with him, that's one comfort. Lord M. But, my dear ma'am, consider how that will appear in the eyes of the world. Here you are but a little while married, what must people think of a separation? Your good understanding is unquestioned, your personal accomplishments admired by all who know you; the blame then must all fall on poor Sir Harry. Lady Flut. And so let it for me. Lord M. He deserves it, I confess; but, ma'am, give me leave to reason with you a little now; for I know you are a woman of sense, and capable of reasoning. Don't you think a leetle stroke of censure may possibly glance on you, for not endeavouring to bear, for a while longer at least, with his indiscretion; for every body knows that your prudence is much superior to his, and therefore more will be expected from you. Lady Flut. My lord, you compliment now. Lord M. Upon my life I don't. I am sure I have said it a thousand times, that I don't know a woman of fashion in town (a handsome one I mean, you are to take that into the account too) with half your talents. Lady Flut. Oh, my lord. Lord M. Upon my word I am serious; and between ourselves, Sir Harry is thought to be but of very moderate parts, and that it was almost a sacrifice to marry you to him—But I would not say this.for the world to any one but you. Lady Flut. That is very good of you, my lord. Lord M. Your discretion, I am sure, will make a proper use of the hint. There are great allowances to be made for a raw young fellow, who, like some vain and ignorant virtuoso, is possessed of a rarity, of which he neither understands the nature, nor knows the value. Oh, Lady Flutter, a beautiful and accomplished woman is a gem fit only for the cabinet of a man of sense and taste. Enter a SERVANT. Serv. Madam, the chair is ready. Lady Flut. Let it wait awhile. Lord M. Another sip of that sweet cordial flattery, and all the rougher passions will subside. [Aside. |