move you, he'll sign a portion to you beforehand: Take hold of that, and then of what you will. SCENE II. [Exeunt. Enter Sir JOHN, Mrs MILLISENT, and ROSE. Sir John. Now, fair Mrs Millisent, you see your chamber; your father will be busy a few minutes, and in the mean time permits me the happiness to wait on you. Mill. Methinks you might have chose us better lodgings, this house is full; the other, we saw first, was more convenient. Sir John. For you, perhaps, but not for me: You might have met a lover there, but I a rival. Mill. What rival? Sir John. You know Sir Martin, I need not name it to you. Mill. I know more men besides him. Sir John. But you love none besides him: Can you deny your affection to him? Mill. You have vexed me so, I will not satisfy you. Sir John. Then I perceive I am not likely to be so much obliged to you, as I was to him. Mill. This is romance-I'll not believe a word on't. Sir John. That's as you please: However 'tis believed, his wit will not much credit your choice. Madam, do justice to us both; pay his ingratitude and folly with your scorn; my service with your love. By this time your father stays for me: I shall be discreet enough to keep this fault of yours from him; the lawyers wait for us to draw your jointure; and I would beg your pardon for my absence, but that my crime is punished in itself. [Exit. Mill. Could I suspect this usage from a favoured servant! 1 Rose. First hear Sir Martin, ere you quite condemn him; consider, 'tis a rival who accused him. Mill. Speak not a word in his behalf: Methought too, Sir John called him fool. Rose. Indeed he has a rare way of acting a fool, and does it so naturally, it can be scarce distinguished. Mill. Nay, he has wit enough, that's certain. Enter WARNER. Mill. How now, what's his business? I wonder, after such a crime, if his master has the face to send him to me. Rose. How durst you venture hither? If either Sir John or my old master see you! Warn. Pish! they are both gone out. Rose. They went but to the next street; ten to one but they return and catch you here. Warn. Twenty to one I am gone before, and save them a labour. Mill. What says that fellow to you? What busiIness can he have here? Warn. Lord, that your ladyship should ask that question, knowing whom I serve! Mill. I'll hear nothing from your master. Warn. Never breathe, but this anger becomes your ladyship most admirably; but though you'll hear nothing from him, I hope I may speak a word or two to you from myself, madam. Rose. 'Twas a sweet prank your master played us: A lady's well helped up, that trusts her honour in such a person's hands: To tell also,rival too. Excuse him if thou canst. and to his [Aside. Warn. How the devil should I excuse him? Thou know'st he is the greatest fop in nature. [Aside to ROSE. Rose. But my lady does not know it; if she didMill. I'll have no whispering. -- Warn. Alas, madam, I have not the confidence to speak out, unless you can take mercy on me. Mill. For what? Warn. For telling Sir John you loved my master, madam. But sure I little thought he was his rival. Rose. The witty rogue has taken it on himself. [Aside. Mill. Your master then is innocent? Warn. Why, could your ladyship suspect him guilty? Pray tell me, do you think him ungrateful, or a fool? Mill. I think him neither. Warn. Take it from me, you see not the depth of him. But when he knows what thoughts you harbour of him, as I am faithful, and must tell him, I wish he does not take some pet, and leave you. Mill. Thou art not mad, I hope, to tell him on't ; if thou dost, I'll be sworn, I'll forswear it to him. Warn. Upon condition then you'll pardon me, I'll see what I can do to hold my tongue. Mill. This evening, in St James's Park, I'll meet him. [Knock within. Warn. He shall not fail you, madam. Rose. Somebody knocks-Oh, madam, what shall we do! 'Tis Sir John, I hear his voice. Warn. What will become of me? Mill. Step quickly behind that door. [WARNER goes out. To them Sir JOHN. Mill. You've made a quick despatch, sir, Sir John. We have done nothing, madam; our man of law was not within--but I must look for some writings. Mill. Where are they laid? Sir John. In the portmanteau in the drawing[Is going to the door. room. Mill. Pray stay a little, sir. Warn. [At the door.] He must pass just by me; and, if he sees me, I am but a dead man. Sir John. Why are you thus concerned? why do you hold me? Mill. Only a word or two I have to tell you. 'Tis of importance to you. Sir John. Give me leave Mill. I must not, before I discover the plot to you. Sir John. What plot? Mill. Sir Martin's servant, like a rogue, comes hither to tempt me from his master, to have met him. Warn. [At the door.] Now, would I had a good bag of gunpowder at my breech, to ram me into some hole! Mill. For my part, I was so startled at the message, that I shall scarcely be myself these two days. Sir John. Oh that I had the rascal! I would teach him to come upon such errands. Warn. Oh for a gentle composition, now! An arm or leg I would give willingly. Sir John. What answer did you make the villain? Mill. I over-reached him clearly, by a promise of an appointment of a place I named, where I never meant to come: But would have had the pleasure, first, to tell you how I served him. Sir John. And then to chide your mean suspicion of me; indeed I wondered you should love a fool. But where did you appoint to meet him? Mill. In Grays-Inn walks. Warn. By this light, she has put the change upon him! O sweet womankind, how I love thee for that heavenly gift of lying! Sir John. For this evening I will be his mistress; he shall meet another Penelope than he suspects. Mill. But stay not long away. Sir John. You overjoy me, madam. [Exit. Mill. As far as Grays-Inn walks: Now I have time to walk the other way, and see thy master. Warn. Rather let him come hither: I have laid a plot, shall send his rival far enough from watching him, ere long. Mill. Art thou in earnest? Warn. 'Tis so designed, fate cannot hinder it. Our landlord, where we lie, vexed that his lodgings should be so left by Sir John, is resolved to be revenged, and I have found the way. You'll see the effects on't presently. Rose. O heavens! the door opens again, and Sir John is returned once more. Enter Sir JOHN. Sir John. Half my business was forgot; you did not tell me when you were to meet him. what makes this rascal here? Ho! Warn. 'Tis well you're come, sir, else I must have left untold a message I have for you. Sir John. Well, what's your business, sirrah? Warn. We must be private first; 'tis only for your ear. Rose. I shall admire his wit, if in this plunge he can get off. Warn. I came hither, sir, by my master's order, Sir John. I'll reward you for it, sirrah, immediately. Warn. When you know all, I shall deserve it, sir: I came to sound the virtue of your mistress: which I have done so cunningly, I have at last ob |