SCENE IV. Ludovico's _Lodgings_.

Ludovico _solus_.

_Lud._ Who waits?

_Enter_ Mountaine.

_Mount._ Did you call, Sir?

_Lud._ _Mountaine_, run to Signiora _Ronquilla_, and tell her I have done with her for ever, if she does not send this Evening the hundred Ducats she promised to lend me----And harkee, as you come back, acquaint Signiora _Cornara_ I shall be busy To-morrow, and desire she will put off her Visit till another Day.

[_Knocking at the Door._

_Mount._ Sir, there's somebody at the Door.

_Lud._ See who 'tis.

_Mount._ Sir, a Gentlewoman desires to speak with you.

_Lud._ A Gentlewoman! admit her----Well, 'Tis a great Fatigue to oblige the whole Sex.

_Enter_ Lucy.

Oh! what News from your Lady?

_Lucy._ This will inform you, Sir. [_Gives him a Letter._

_Lud. reads._ Hum, hum, a Letter----_Tho' it may seem improper for one of my Sex to make the first Step in an Amour, yet you ought to consider, that the rigorous Confinement we are under all the Year round, may, in some Measure, excuse the Liberties we take during the Carnival. If you have the Courage to meet me, I shall be at four in the Afternoon in the_ Piazza d'Espagna, _invisible to all but yourself_.----Well, I believe all Women in _Venice_ are wild for Gallants.

_Lucy._ Sir, what Answer shall I return to my Lady?

_Lud. aside._ Egad----I am in Doubt whether I shall throw my Time away on this Intrigue or no----Harkee Child, step into the next Chamber, and I'll answer your Message instantly---- [_Exit_ Lucy.

Let me see----[_Reads in his Table-Book_] _Monday_, at Two in the Afternoon, I am to meet Signiora _Belleza_ at her Nurse's----She's a pretty Rogue, and so I'll go--At Three of the Clock, Signiora _Dorinda_, the Senator's Wife, at the _Indian_ House----Pshaw, she's an old Acquaintance,----I shan't go----At half an Hour past Three, the Countess _Wrinkle_, who presented me with a Gold-hilted Sword----Silly Fool! does she think I'll bestow one of my Visits on an old shrivelled Piece of Antiquity, for a trifling Present, not worth above three-score Pistoles----At a Quarter past Four, my Semstress _Dorothy Steenkirk_, who supplies me with Linen,--Oh! this Visit may be put off for a new Intrigue--And so I'll acquaint the Messenger. [_Exit_ Ludovico.

_The End of the First Act._