What's the matter, child? Are not you well? Kiss me, hussy. Edg. No, the deuce fetch me if I do. Sir Cha. Has any thing put thee out of humour, love? Edg. No, sir, 'tis not worth my being out of humour at-tho' if ever you have any thing to say to me again, I'll be burned. Sir Cha. Somebody has belied me to thee. Edg. No, sir, 'tis you have belied yourself to meDid not I ask you, when you first made a fool of me, if you would be always constant to me; and did not you say, I might be sure you would? And here, instead of that, you are going on in your old intrigue with my Lady Graveairs. Sir Cha. So Edg. Beside, don't you suffer my lady to huff me every day as if I were her dog, or had no more concern with you-I declare I won't bear it, and she shan't think to huff me-for aught I know I am as agreeable as she: and tho' she dares not take any notice of your baseness to her, you shan't think to use me so—and so pray take your nasty letter—I know the hand well enough-for my part I won't stay in the family to be abused at this rate: I that have refused lords and dukes for your sake; I'd have you to know, sir, I have had as many blue and green ribbons after me, for aught I know, as would have made me a falbala apron. C Sir Cha. My Lady Graveairs! my nasty letter! and I won't stay in the family! Death!-I'm in a pretty condition!—What an unlimited privilege has this jade got from being a whore? Edg. I suppose, sir, you think to use every body do your wife. as you Sir Cha. My wife, hah! Come hither, Mrs. Edging; hark you, drab. [Seizing her by the shoulder. Edg. Oh! Sir Cha. When you speak of my wife, you are to say your lady, and you are never to speak of your lady to me in any regard of her being my wife-for look you, child, you are not her strumpet, but mine, therefore I only give you leave to be saucy with me. -In the next place, you are never to suppose there is any such person as my Lady Graveairs; and lastly, my pretty one, how came you by this letter? Edg. It's no matter, perhaps. Sir Cha. Aye, but if you should not tell me quickly, how are you sure I won't take a great piece of flesh out of your shoulder?—My dear. [Shakes her. Edg. O lud! O lud! I will tell you, sir. Sir Cha. Quickly then Edg. Oh! I took it out of your pocket, sir. Edg. Oh this morning, when you sent me for your snuff-box. Sir Cha. And your ladyship's pretty curiosity has looked it over, I presume-ha- [Shakes her again. Edg. O lud! dear sir, don't be angry-indeed I'll never touch one again. Sir Cha. I don't believe you will, and I'll tell you you shall be sure you never will. how Edg. Yes, sir. Sir Cha. By stedfastly believing that the next time you offer it, you will have your pretty white neck twisted behind you. Edg. Yes, sir. [Curt'sying. Sir Cha. And you will be sure to remember every thing I have said to you? Edg. Yes, sir. Sir Cha. And now, child, I was not angry with your person, but your follies; which, since I find you are a little sensible of-don't be wholly discouraged -for I believe II shall have occasion for you again Edg. Yes, sir. Sir Cha. In the mean time, let me hear no more of your lady, child. Edg. No, sir. Sir Cha. Here she comes: begone. Edg. Yes, sir-Oh! I was never so frightened in my life. [Exit: Sir Cha. So good discipline makes good soldiers -It often puzzles me to think, from my own carelessness, and my wife's continual good humour, whether she really knows any thing of the strength of my forces-I'll sift her a little. Enter Lady EASY. My dear, how do you do? You are dressed very early to-day: are you going out? L. Easy. Only to church, my dear. L. Easy. The bell has just rung. Sir Cha. Well, child, how does Windsor air agree with you? Do you find yourself any better yet? or have you a mind to go to London again ? L. Easy. No, indeed, my dear; the air is so very pleasant, that if it were a place of less company, I could be content to end my days here. Sir Cha. Pr'ythee, my dear, what sort of company would most please you? L. Easy. When business would permit it, yours; and in your absence a sincere friend, that were truly happy in an honest husband, to sit a cheerful hour, and talk in mutual praise of our condition. Sir Cha. Are you then really very happy, my dear ? L. Easy. Why should you question it? [Smiling on him. Sir Cha. Because I fancy I am not so good to you as I should be. L. Easy. Pshaw. Sir Cha. Nay, the deuce take me if I don't really confess myself so bad, that I have often wondered how any woman of your sense, rank, and person, could think it worth her while to have so many useless good qualities. L. Easy. Fie, my dear. Sir Cha. By my soul, I am serious. L. Easy. I cannot boast of my good qualities, nor if I could, do I believe you think them useless. Sir Cha. Nay, I submit to you-Don't you find them so? Do you perceive that I am one tittle the better husband for your being so good a wife? L. Easy. Pshaw! you jest with me. Sir Cha. Upon my life I don't-Tell me truly, was you never jealous of me? L. Easy. Did I ever give you any sign of it? Sir Cha. Um-that's true-but do you really think I never gave you occasion ? L. Easy. That's an odd question-but suppose you had? Sir Cha. Why then, what good has your virtue done you, since all the good qualities of it could not keep me to yourself? L. Easy. What occasion have you given me to suppose I have not kept you to myself? Sir Ch. I given you occasion-Fie! my dear-you may be sure-I-look you, that is not the thing, but still a -(death! what a blunder have I made ?)—a— still, I say, madam, you shan't make me believe you have never been jealous of me; not that you ever had any real cause, but I know women of your principles have more pride than those that have no principles at all; and where there is pride, there must be some jealousy so that if you are jealous, my dear, you know you wrong me, and |