Heart. Well, we won’t hinder business.
Sir J. Methinks, I don’t know how to leave you two; but, for once, I must make bold. Or, look you! may be, the conference mayn’t last long. So, if you’ll wait here half-an-hour, or an hour; if I don’t come then, why, then, I won’t come at all.
Heart. [apart to C
Con. [apart to H
Heart. Well, sir, to shew you how fond we are of your company, we’ll expect your return as long as we can.
Sir J. Nay, may be I mayn’t stay at all; but business, you know, must be done: so, your servant. Or, hark you! if you have a mind to take a frisk with us, I have an interest with my lord; I can easily introduce you.
Con. We are much beholden to you; but, for my part, I’m engaged another way.
Sir J. What, to your mistress, I’ll warrant. P’rythee, leave her to her own thoughts, and make one with us to-night.
Con. Sir, ’tis business that is to employ me.
Heart. And me; and business must be done, you know.
Sir J. Ay, women’s business, though the world were consumed for’t.
[Exit.
Con. Farewell, beast! and now, my dear friend, would my mistress be but as complaisant as some men’s wives, who think it a piece of good-breeding to receive the visits of their husband’s friends in his absence—
Heart. Why, for your sake, I could forgive her. But what way shall we invent to see her?
Con. Oh! never hope it: invention will prove as vain as wishes.
Enter Lady B
Heart. What do you think now, friend?
[Apart to C
Con. I think I shall swoon.
[Apart to H
Heart. I’ll speak first, then, while you fetch breath. [Apart to C
Lady B. We think ourselves obliged, gentlemen, to come and return you thanks for your knight-errantry. We were just upon being devoured by the fiery dragon.
Bel. Did not his fumes almost knock you down, gentlemen?
Heart. Truly, ladies, we did undergo some hardships; and should have done more, if some greater heroes than ourselves hard by had not diverted him.