Lady T. Fool, sot, insensible ox! But remember what I said to you, or you had better eat your own horns, by this light you had.

Sir P. You are a passionate woman, Gads-budBut to say truth, all our family are choleric; I am the only peaceable person, amongst them.

if

[Exeunt.

Enter MELLEFONT, MASKWELL, and CYNTHIA.

Mel. I know no other way but this he has proposed; have love enough to run the venture.

you

Cyn. I don't know whether I have love enoughbut I find I have obstinacy enough to pursue whatever I have once resolved; and a true female courage to oppose any thing that resists my will, though it were reason itself.

Mask. That's right-Well, I'll secure the writings, and run the hazard along with you.

Cyn. But how can the coach and six horses be got ready without suspicion ?

Mask. Leave it to my care; that shall be so far from being suspected, that it shall be got ready by my

lord's own order.

Mel. How?

Mask. Why, I intend to tell my lord the whole matter of our contrivance, that 's my way.

Mel. I do not understand you.

Mask. Why, I'll tell my lord I laid this plot with you on purpose to betray you; and that which put me upon it, was the finding it impossible to gain the

lady any other way, but in the hopes of her marrying

you.

Mel. So

Mask. So, why so, while you are busied in making yourself ready, I'll wheedle her into the coach; and instead of you, borrow my lord's chaplain, and so run away with her myself.

Mel. Oh, I conceive you, you'll tell him so.

Mask. Tell him so! Ay, why, you don't think I mean to do so.

Mel. No, no; ha, ha, I dare swear thou wilt not. Mask. Therefore, for our farther security I would have you disguised like a parson, that if my lord should have curiosity to peep, he may not discover you in the coach, but think the cheat is carried on as he would have it.

Mel. Excellent Maskwell! thou wert certainly meant for a statesman or a Jesuit- -but thou art too honest for one, and too pious for the other.

Mask. Well, get yourselves ready, and meet me in half an hour, yonder, in my lady's dressing-room; go by the back-stairs, and so we may slip down without being observed-I'll send the chaplain to you with his robes; I have made him my own-and ordered him to meet us to-morrow morning at St. Alban's; there we will sum up this account to all our satisfactions.

Mel, Should I begin to thank or praise thee, I should waste the little time we have.

Mask. Madam, you will be ready.

[Exit.

Cyn. I will be punctual to the minute.

[Going.

Mask. Stay, I have a doubt-Upon second thoughts, we had better meet in the chaplain's chamber here, the corner chamber at this end of the gallery; there is a back way into it, so that you need not come through this door and a pair of private stairs leading down to the stables-it will be more convenient. Cyn. I am guided by you-but Mellefont will mistake.

Mask. No, no, I'll after him immediately, and tell him.

Cyn, I will not fail.

[Exit. Mask. Why, qui vult decipi decipiatur.-Tis' no fault of mine, I have told them in plain terms how easy it is for me to cheat them; and if they will not hear the serpent's hiss, they must be stung into experience and future caution.- -Now to prepare my lord to consent to this. But first I must instruct my little Levite; there is no plot, public or private, that can expect to prosper without one of them has a finger in it; he promised me to be within at this hour -Mr. Saygrace, Mr. Saygrace!

[Goes to the chamber-door, and knocks. Say. [Looking out.] Sweet sir, I will but pen the last line of an acrostic, and be with you in the twinkling of an ejaculation, in the pronouncing of an Amen, or before you can

Mask. Nay, good Mr. Saygrace, do not prolong the time by describing to me the shortness of your stay; rather, if you please, defer the finishing of your wit,

and let us talk about our business; it shall be tithes

in your way.

Enter SAYGRACE.

Say. You shall prevail; I would break off in the middle of a sermon to do you a pleasure.

Mask. You could not do me a greater-except -the business in hand-Have you provided a habit for Mellefont?

Say. I have; they are ready in my chamber, together with a clean starched band and cuffs.

Mask. Good: let them be carried to him--Have you stitched the gown-sleeve, that he may be puzzled, and waste time in putting it on?

Say. I have; the gown will not be indued without perplexity.

Mask. Meet me in half an hour, here, in your own chamber. When Cynthia comes, let there be no light; and do not speak, that she may not distinguish you from Mellefont. I'll urge haste to excuse your silence. Say. You have no more commands?

Mask. None, your text is short.

Say. But pithy, and I will handle it with discretion. Mask. It will be the first you have so served.

[Exeunt.

Enter Lord TOUCHWOOD and MASKWELL.

Ld. T. Sure I was born to be controuled by those I should command: my very slaves will shortly give me rules how I shall govern them.

Mask. I am concerned to see your lordship so discomposed

Ld. T. Have you seen my wife lately, or disobliged her?

Mask. No, my lord.

-What can this mean;

[Aside

Ld. T. Then Mellefont has urged somebody to incense her-Something she has heard of you, which carries her beyond the bounds of patience.

Mask. This I feared. [Aside.] Did not your lordship tell her of the honours you designed me?

Ld. T. Yes.

Mask. 'Tis that; you know my lady has a high spirit, she thinks I am unworthy.

Ld. 7. Unworthy! 'Tis an ignorant pride in her to think so -Honesty to me is true nobility. However, 't is my will it shall be so, and that should be convincing to her as much as reason -By Heaven I'll not be wife-ridden! Were it possible, it should be done this night.

Mask. By Heaven he meets my wishes! [Aside.] Few things are impossible to willing minds.

Ld. T. Instruct me how this may be done, you shall see I want no inclination.

Mask. I had laid a small design for to-morrow (as love will be inventing) which I thought to communicate to your lordship-But it may be as well done to-night.

Ld. T. Here is company- Cóme this way, and

tell me.

[Exeunt.