As nothing could have more affrighted me.

MRS. FRAMPTON
Think it a hurt friend's jest, in retribution
Of a suspected cooling hospitality.
And, for my staying here, or going hence,
(Now I remember something of our argument,)
Selby and I can settle that between us.
You look amazed. What if your husband, child,
Himself has courted me to stay?

KATHERINE
You move
My wonder and my pleasure equally.

MRS. FRAMPTON
Yes, courted me to stay, waiv'd all objections.
Made it a favour to yourselves; not me,
His troublesome guest, as you surmised. Child, child!
When I recall his flattering welcome, I
Begin to think the burden of my presence
Was--

KATHERINE
What, for Heaven--

MRS. FRAMPTON
A little, little spice
Of jealousy--that's all--an honest pretext,
No wife need blush for. Say that you should see
(As oftentimes we widows take such freedoms,
Yet still on this side virtue,) in a jest
Your husband pat me on the cheek, or steal
A kiss, while you were by,--not else, for virtue's sake.

KATHERINE
I could endure all this, thinking my husband
Meant it in sport--

MRS. FRAMPTON
But if in downright earnest
(Putting myself out of the question here)
Your Selby, as I partly do suspect,
Own'd a divided heart--

KATHERINE
My own would break--

MRS. FRAMPTON
Why, what a blind and witless fool it is,
That will not see its gains, its infinite gains--

KATHERINE
Gain in a loss,
Or mirth in utter desolation!

MRS. FRAMPTON
He doting on a face--suppose it mine,
Or any other's tolerably fair--
What need you care about a senseless secret?

KATHERINE
Perplex'd and fearful woman! I in part
Fathom your dangerous meaning. You have broke
The worse than iron band, fretting the soul,
By which you held me captive. Whether my husband
_Is_ what you gave him out, or your fool'd fancy
But dreams he is so, either way I am free.

MRS. FRAMPTON
It talks it bravely, blazons out its shame;
A very heroine while on its knees;
Rowe's Penitent, an absolute Calista!

KATHERINE
Not to thy wretched self these tears are falling;
But to my husband, and offended he