Chapter 10

_Enter_ LOVELESS. _Love._ So, thus far all's well: I have got into her dressing-room, and it being dusk, I think nobody has perceived me steal into the house. I heard Berinthia tell my wife she had some particular letters to write this evening, before she went to Sir Tunbelly's, and here are the implements of correspondence.--How shall I muster up assurance to show myself, when she comes? I think she has given me encouragement; and, to do my impudence justice, I have made the most of it.--I hear a door open, and some one coming. If it should be my wife, what the devil should I say? I believe she mistrusts me, and, by my life, I don't deserve her tenderness. However, I am determined to reform, though not yet. Ha! Berinthia!--So, I'll step in here, till I see what sort of humour she is in. [_Goes into the closet_.] _Enter_ BERINTHIA. _Ber_. Was ever so provoking a situation! To think I should sit and hear him compliment Amanda to my face! I have lost all patience with them both! I would not for something have Loveless know what temper of mind they have piqued me into; yet I can't bear to leave them together. No, I'll put my papers away, and return, to disappoint them.--[_Goes to the closet_.]--O Lord! a ghost! a ghost! a ghost! _Re-enter_ LOVELESS. _Love_. Peace, my angel; it's no ghost, but one worth a hundred spirits. _Ber_. How, sir, have you had the insolence to presume to-- run in again; here's somebody coming. [LOVELESS _goes into the closet_.] _Enter_ MAID. _Maid_. O Lord, ma'am, what's the matter? _Ber_. O Heavens! I'm almost frightened out of my wits! I thought verily I had seen a ghost, and 'twas nothing but a black hood pinned against the wall. You may go again; I am the fearfullest fool! [Exit MAID.] _Re-enter_ LOVELESS. _Love_. Is the coast clear? _Ber_. The coast clear! Upon my word, I wonder at your assurance. _Love_. Why, then, you wonder before I have given you a proof of it. But where's my wife? _Ber_. At cards. _Love_. With whom? _Ber_. With Townly. _Love_. Then we are safe enough. _Ber_. You are so! Some husbands would be of another mind, were he at cards with their wives. _Love_. And they'd be in the right on't, too; but I dare trust mine. _Ber_. Indeed! and she, I doubt not, has the same confidence in you. Yet, do you think she'd be content to come and find you here? _Love_. Egad, as you say, that's true!--Then for fear she should come, hadn't we better go into the next room, out of her way? _Ber_. What, in the dark? _Love_. Ay, or with a light, which you please. _Ber_. You are certainly very impudent. _Love_. Nay, then--let me conduct you, my angel! _Ber_. Hold, hold! you are mistaken in your angel, I assure you. _Love_. I hope not; for by this hand I swear-- _Ber_. Come, come, let go my hand, or I shall hate you!-- I'll cry out, as I live! _Love_. Impossible! you cannot be so cruel. _Ber_. Ha! here's some one coming. Begone instantly. _Love_. Will you promise to return, if I remain here? _Ber_. Never trust myself in a room again with you while I live. _Love_. But I have something particular to communicate to you. _Ber_. Well, well, before we go to Sir Tunbelly's, I'll walk upon the lawn. If you are fond of a moonlight evening, you'll find me there. _Love_. I'faith, they're coming here now! I take you at your word. [_Exit into the closet_.] _Ber_. 'Tis Amanda, as I live! I hope she has not heard his voice; though I mean she should have her share of jealousy in her turn. _Enter_ AMANDA. _Aman_. Berinthia, why did you leave me? _Ber_. I thought I only spoiled your party. _Aman_. Since you have been gone, Townly has attempted to renew his importunities. I must break with him, for I cannot venture to acquaint Mr. Loveless with his conduct. _Ber_. Oh, no! Mr. Loveless mustn't know of it by any means. _Aman_. Oh, not for the world--I wish, Berinthia, you would undertake to speak to Townly on the subject. _Ber_. Upon my word, it would be a very pleasant subject for me to talk upon! But, come, let us go back; and you may depend on't I'll not leave you together again, if I can help it. [_Exeunt_.] _Re-enter_ LOVELESS. _Love_. So--so! a pretty piece of business I have overheard! Townly makes love to my wife, and I am not to know it for all the world. I must inquire into this--and, by Heaven, if I find that Amanda has, in the smallest degree--yet what have I been at here!--Oh, 'sdeath! that's no rule.

That wife alone unsullied credit wins, Whose virtues can atone her husband's sins, Thus, while the man has other nymphs in view, It suits the woman to be doubly true. [_Exit_.]