Act V

Scene I.—The Garden behind Loveless’s Lodgings.

Enter Loveless.

Love. Now, does she mean to make a fool of me, or not! I shan’t wait much longer, for my wife will soon be inquiring for me to set out on our supping party. Suspense is at all times the devil, but of all modes of suspense, the watching for a loitering mistress is the worst.—But let me accuse her no longer; she approaches with one smile to o’erpay the anxieties of a year.

Enter Berinthia.

O Berinthia, what a world of kindness are you in my debt! had you stayed five minutes longer——

Ber. You would have gone, I suppose?

Love. Egad, she’s right enough.

[Aside.

Ber. And I assure you ’twas ten to one that I came at all. In short, I begin to think you are too dangerous a being to trifle with; and as I shall probably only make a fool of you at last, I believe we had better let matters rest as they are.

Love. You cannot mean it, sure?

Ber. What more would you have me give to a married man?

Love. How doubly cruel to remind me of my misfortunes!

Ber. A misfortune to be married to so charming a woman as Amanda?

Love. I grant her all her merit, but—’sdeath! now see what you have done by talking of her—she’s here, by all that’s unlucky, and Townly with her.—I’ll observe them.

Ber. O Gad, we had better get out of the way; for I should feel as awkward to meet her as you.

Love. Ay, if I mistake not, I see Townly coming this way also. I must see a little into this matter.

[Steps Aside.

Ber. Oh, if that’s your intention, I am no woman if I suffer myself to be outdone in curiosity.

[Goes on the other side.

Enter Amanda.

Aman. Mr. Loveless come home, and walking on the lawn! I will not suffer him to walk so late, though perhaps it is to show his neglect of me.—Mr. Loveless, I must speak with you.—Ha! Townley again! How I am persecuted!

Enter Colonel Townley.

Col. Town. Madam, you seem disturbed.

Aman. Sir, I have reason.