Squire Sul. Nor at all-fours?
Sir Chas. Neither.
Squire Sul. [aside]. ’Oons! where was this man bred?— [Aloud.] Burn me, sir! I can’t go home, ’tis but two o’clock.
Sir Chas. For half an hour, sir, if you please; but you must consider ’tis late.
Squire Sul. Late! that’s the reason I can’t go to bed.— Come, sir!
[Exeunt.
Enter Cherry, runs across the stage, and knocks at Aimwell’s chamber door. Enter Aimwell in his nightcap and gown.
Aim. What’s the matter? you tremble, child; you’re frighted.
Cher. No wonder, sir—But, in short, sir, this very minute a gang of rogues are gone to rob my Lady Bountiful’s house.
Aim. How!
Cher. I dogged ’em to the very door, and left ’em breaking in
Aim. Have you alarmed anybody else with the news?
Cher. No, no, sir, I wanted to have discovered the whole plot, and twenty other things, to your man Martin; but I have searched the whole house, and can’t find him: where is he?
Aim. No matter, child; will you guide me immediately to the house?
Cher. With all my heart, sir; my Lady Bountiful is my godmother, and I love Mrs. Dorinda so well—
Aim. Dorinda! the name inspires me, the glory and the danger shall be all my own.—Come, my life, let me but get my sword.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.—A Bedchamber in Lady Bountiful’s House
Mrs. Sullen and Dorinda discovered undressed; a table and lights.
Dor. ’Tis very late, sister, no news of your spouse yet?
Mrs. Sul. No, I’m condemned to be alone till towards four, and then perhaps I may be executed with his company.
Dor. Well, my dear, I’ll leave you to your rest; you’ll go directly to bed, I suppose?
Mrs. Sul. I don’t know what to do.—Heigh-ho!
Dor. That’s a desiring sigh, sister.
Mrs. Sul. This is a languishing hour, sister.
Dor. And might prove a critical minute if the pretty fellow were here.