; it must be so, what the
Devil shall I say now?

Sir _Pat._ And this disingenuous dealing does ill become the Person you
have represented, I take it.

_Wit._ Represented! ay, there 'tis, wou'd I were handsomely off o' this
Business; neither _Lucia_ nor _Maundy_ have any intelligence in their
demure looks that can instruct a Man.--Why, faith, Sir,--I must
confess,--I am to blame--and that I have--a--

L. _Fan._ Oh, _Maundy_, he'll discover all, what shall we do?

Sir _Pat._ Have what, Sir?

_Wit._ From my violent Passion for your Daughter--

L. _Fan._ Oh, I'm all Confusion.--

_Wit._ Egad, I am i'th wrong, I see by _Lucia's_ Looks.

Sir _Pat._ That you have, Sir, you wou'd say, made a Sport and May-game
of the Ingagement of your Word; I take it, Mr. _Fainlove_, 'tis not like
the Stock you come from.

_Wit._ Yes, I was like to have spoil'd all, 'sheart, what fine work I
had made--but most certainly he has discover'd my Passion for his
Wife.--Well, Impudence assist me--I made, Sir, a trifle of my Word, Sir!
from whom have you this Intelligence?

Sir _Pat._ From whom shou'd I, Sir, but from my Daughter _Isabella_?

_Wit._ _Isabella!_ The malicious Baggage understood to whom my first
Courtship was address'd last Night, and has betray'd me.

Sir _Pat._ And, Sir, to let you see I utter nothing without Precaution,
pray read that Letter.

_Wit._ Hah--a Letter! what can this mean,--'tis _Lucia's_ Hand, with
_Isabella's_ Name to't.--Oh, the dear cunning Creature, to make her
Husband the Messenger too.--How, I send one in my room!
[He reads.

L. _Fan._ Yes, Sir, you think we do not know of the Appointment you made
last Night; but having other Affairs in hand than to keep your Promise,
you sent Mr. _Knowell_ in your room,--false Man.

_Wit._ I send him, Madam! I wou'd have sooner died.

Sir _Pat._ Sir, as I take it, he cou'd not have known of your Designs
and Rendezvous without your Informations.--Were not you to have met my
Daughter here to night, Sir?

_Wit._ Yes, Sir, and I hope 'tis no such great Crime, to desire a little
Conversation with the fair Person one loves, and is so soon to marry,
which I was hinder'd from doing by the greatest and most unlucky
Misfortune that ever arriv'd: but for my sending him, Madam, credit me,
nothing so much amazes me and afflicts me, as to know he was here.

Sir _Pat._ He speaks well, ingenuously, he does.--Well, Sir, for your
Father's sake, whose Memory I reverence,