SCENE VIII

[To her] Lady Wishfort.

Lady. O dear Marwood, what shall I say for this rude forgetfulness—but my dear friend is all goodness.

Mrs. Mar. No apologies, dear madam. I have been very well entertained.

Lady. As I’m a person I am in a very chaos to think I should so forget myself—but I have such an olio of affairs really I know not what to do.—[Calls]—Foible—I expect my nephew Sir Wilfull every moment too:—Why, Foible—He means to travel for improvement.

Mrs. Mar.Methinks Sir Wilfull should rather think of marrying than travelling at his years. I hear he is turned of forty.

Lady. O he’s in less danger of being spoiled by his travels—I am against my nephew’s marrying too young. It will be time enough when he comes back, and has acquired discretion to chuse for himself.

Mrs. Mar. Methinks Mrs. Millamant and he would make a very fit match. He may travel afterwards. ’Tis a thing very usual with young gentlemen.

Lady. I promise you I have thought on’t—and since ’tis your judgment, I’ll think on’t again. I assure you I will; I value your judgment extreamly. On my word I’ll propose it.

SCENE IX

[To them] Foible.

Lady Come, come, Foible—I had forgot my nephew will be here before dinner—I must make haste.

Foib. Mr. Witwoud and Mr. Petulant are come to dine with your ladiship.

Lady. O dear, I can’t appear ’till I am dressed. Dear Marwood, shall I be free with you again, and beg you to entertain ’em. I’ll make all imaginable haste. Dear friend, excuse me.

SCENE X

Mrs. Marwood, Mrs. Millamant, Mincing.

Milla. Sure never anything was so unbred as that odious man.—Marwood, your servant.

Mrs. MarYou have a colour, what’s the matter?

Milla. That horrid fellow Petulant has provoked me into a flame—I have broke my fan—Mincing, lend me yours;—Is not all the powder out of my hair?

Mrs. Mar. No. What has he done?

Milla.Nay, he has done nothing; he has only talked—Nay, he has said nothing neither; but he has contradicted everything that has been said. For my part, I thought Witwoud and he would have quarrelled.

Minc. I vow, mem, I thought once they would have fitt.

Milla. Well, ’tis a lamentable thing I swear, that one has not the liberty of chusing one’s acquaintance as one does one’s cloaths.