hand away.

Lord. But I am for fair wars; an enemy must first be searched for privy armour, ere we do engage.
[Pulls at her glove.

Chr. What does your lordship mean?

Lord. I fear you bear some spells and charms about you, and, madam, that's against the law of arms.

Chr. My aunt charged me not to pull off my glove, for fear of sun-burning my hand.

Lord. She did well to keep it from your eyes, but I will thus preserve it.
[Hugging her bare hand.

Chr. Why do you crush it so? nay, now you hurt me, nay—if you squeeze it ne'er so hard—there's nothing to come out on't—fie—is this loving one—what makes you take your breath so short?

Lord. The devil take me if I can answer her a word; all my senses are quite employed another way.

Chr. Ne'er stir, my lord, I must cry out.

Lord. Then I must stop your mouth—this ruby for a kiss—that is but one ruby for another.

Chr. This is worse and worse.

Lady within. Why, niece, where are you, niece?

Lord. Pox of her old mouldy chops.

Chr. Do you hear, my aunt calls? I shall be hanged for staying with you—let me go, my lord.
[Gets from him.

Enter Lady Dupe.

L. Dupe. My lord! heaven bless me, what makes your lordship here?

Lord. I was just wishing for you, madam; your niece and I have been so laughing at the blunt humour of your country-gentleman. I must go pass an hour with him.
[Exit Lord.

Chr. You made a little too much haste; I was just exchanging a kiss for a ruby.

L. Dupe. No harm done; it will make him come on the faster: Never full gorge an hawk you mean to fly: The next will be a necklace of pearl, I warrant you.

Chr. But what must I do next?

L. Dupe. Tell him I grew suspicious, and examined you whether he made not love; which you denied. Then tell him how my maids and daughters watch you; so that you tremble when you see his lordship.

Chr. And that your daughters are so envious, that they would raise a false report to ruin me.

L. Dupe. Therefore you desire his lordship, as he loves you, of which you are confident, henceforward to forbear his visits to you.

Chr. But how, if he should take me at my word?

L. Dupe. Why, if the worst come to the worst, he leaves you an honest woman, and there's an end on't: But fear not that; hold out his messages, and then he'll write, and that is it, my bird, which you must drive it to: Then all his letters will be such ecstasies, such vows and promises, which you must answer short and simply, yet still ply out of them your advantages.

Chr. But, madam! he's in the house, he will not write.

L. Dupe. You fool—he'll write from the next chamber to you; and, rather than fail, send his page post with it, upon a hobby-horse: Then grant a meeting, but tell me of it, and I'll prevent him by my being there; he'll curse me, but I care not. When you are alone, he'll urge his lust, which answer you with scorn and anger.

Chr. As thus an't please you, madam. What! Does he think I will be damn'd for him? Defame my family, ruin my name, to satisfy his pleasure?

L. Dupe. Then he will be profane in his arguments, urge nature's laws to you.

Chr. By'r lady, and those are shrewd arguments; but I am resolved I'll stop my ears.

L. Dupe. Then when he sees no other thing will move you, he'll sign a portion to you beforehand: Take hold of that, and then of what you will.
[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

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!

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.

Rose. How blind love is!

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 business 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,——and to his rival too. Excuse him if thou canst.
[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 did—

Mill. 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