SCENE II. _Lady_ Pizalta's _Lodgings_.

_Enter Lady_ Pizalta, Lucy.

L. _Piz._ Well, thou'rt an admirable Girl! What would half the Ladies in _Venice_ give for such a Servant?

_Lucy._ (_Aside._) Truly you have Reason to say so, for 'tis not the first Intrigue I have manag'd for you----Oh! dear Madam, your Ladyship does me too much Honour----But how do you like your new Servant, Madam?

L. _Piz._ Oh! above all Men living, _Lucy_: He has the most bewitching Conversation I ever met with----Say, is there no way to contrive a second Meeting? For I'm impatient till I see the dear Man again----The End of the Carnival draws near, which is indeed the End of Life to me: For then must I be coop'd up with Age: Condemned to an eternal Coughing, Spitting, Snoring and Ill-nature----Then let me make the best of Life----since Hell cannot have a worse Plague in Store than I have felt already.

_Luc._ Indeed, Madam, I pity you: And wish 'twere in my Power to free you from this old wither'd Log, but tho' that's impossible, yet I may do you some little Services to make Life's tedious Journey pleasant----Let me see, I have it----What would you say now, Madam, if I should contrive a Way to have your Lover in your own Chamber?

L. _Piz._ That were worth a King's Revenue----Speak, quickly, how, how, good _Lucy_?

_Luc._ Why, thus: He shall put on my Cloaths, and in my Place attend you.

L. _Piz._ Rare Contrivance! but my Husband, _Lucy_?

_Luc._ Oh! let me alone, Madam, to manage him: He is defective in Sight, you know; and not mistrusting any thing, will not be over curious: But if he should, I have a way to bring you off----My Life on't----This Plot may be of Use to my design, I'll manage it with care. [_Aside._

L. _Piz._ Oh! the Pleasure of hearing my Husband lie coughing and calling me to Bed: And my answering him, I'm coming, Dear; and while he imagines me in the next Room undressing, I'm happy in the Arms of my _Ludovico_. Certainly there's as much Satisfaction in deceiving a dull jealous Husband, as in getting a new Gallant; were it not grown so common--each Tradesman's Wife must have her Gallant too----and sometimes makes a Journeyman of the Apprentice e'er his Indentures be half out----'Tis an insufferable Fault, that Quality can have no Pleasure above the Vulgar, except it be in not paying their Debts. Well, dear _Lucy_, I admire thy Contrivance----About it instantly----

_Lucy._ (_Aside._) About it instantly! is that all? I must have my t'other Fee first.----I will, Madam; and you may expect your Lover instantly. But, Madam, what's to be done with your brocade Night-Gown you tore last Night? it can ne'er be mended handsomely.

L. _Piz._ Nothing to be done without a Bribe I find, in Love as well as Law----Well, _Lucy_, if you manage this Intrigue with Care and Secrecy, the Gown is yours.

_Enter_ Page.

_Page._ Madam, my Lord desires to speak with you.

_Lucy._ Madam, I'll go about your Business: Your Ladyship's very humble Servant. [_Exit_ Lucy.

L. _Piz._ Tell him I'm coming----[_Exit_ Page.] Now by way of Mortification, must I go entertain my old jealous Husband. [_Exit Lady_ Pizalta.