Provoked Wife — Act IV (Part 13 of 16)

Lady B. Whatever they are, I won’t stay here a moment longer.

Con. Whither will you go?

Lady B. Home, as if the devil were in me! Lord! where’s this Belinda now?

Enter BELINDA and HEARTFREE. Oh! ’tis well you are come; I’m so frightened! Let’s begone, for heaven’s sake!

Bel. Lord! what’s the matter?

Lady B. The devil’s the matter! Here’s a couple of women have done the most impertinent thing—away, away, away!

[Exeunt

SCENE V.—Lady FANCIFUL’S House

Enter Lady FANCIFUL and MADEMOISELLE.

Lady F. Well, mademoiselle, did you dodge the filthy things?

Madem. O qu’oui, madame.

Lady F. And where are they?

Madem. Au logis.

Lady F. What, men and all?

Madem. Tous ensemble.

Lady F. Oh, confidence! What, carry their fellows to their own house?

Madem. C’est que le mari n’y est pas.

Lady F. No, so I believe, truly. But he shall be there, and quickly, too, if I can find him out. Well, ’tis a prodigious thing to see, when men and women get together, how they fortify one another in their impudence. But if that drunken fool, her husband, be to be found in e’er a tavern in town, I’ll send him amongst them: I’ll spoil their sport.

Madem. En verité, madame, ce seroit domage.

Lady F. ’Tis in vain to oppose it, mademoiselle; therefore never go about it: for I am the steadiest creature in the world— when I am determined to do mischief. So, come along. [Exeunt

SCENE VI.—Sir JOHN BRUTE’S House

Enter CONSTANT, HEARTFREE, Lady BRUTE, BELINDA, and LOVEWELL.

Lady B. But are you sure you don’t mistake, Lovewell?

Lov. Madam, I saw them all go into the tavern together; and my master so drunk, he could scarce stand.

Lady B. Then, gentlemen, I believe we may venture to let you stay, and play at cards with us an hour or two; for they’ll scarce part till morning.