estate-but I'll prevent them; she shall be only signior Babinetto's.

Patch. Really, sir, I wish you would employ any body else in this affair; I lead a life like a dog with gobeying your commands. Come, madam, will you please to be locked up?

Isab. Ay, to enjoy more freedom than he is aware bof. [Aside.] [Exit with Patch.

Sir Jeal. I believe this wench is very true to my interest: I am happy I met with her, if I can but keep my daughter from being blown upon till Signior Babinetto arrives, who shall marry her as soon as he comes, and carry her to Spain as soon as he has martried her. She has a pregnant wit, and I'd no more have her an English wife than the Grand Signior's mistress. [Exit.

Enter WHISPER,

Whisp. So, I saw Sir Jealous go out: where shall I find Mrs. Patch now?

Enter PATCH.

Patch. Oh, Mr. Whisper! my lady saw you out of the window, and order'd me to bid you fly and let your master know she's now alone.

Whisp. Hush! speak softly! I go, I go! But hark ye, Mrs. Patch, shall not you and I have a little confabulation, when my master and your lady are engag'd?

Patch. Ay, ay; farewell. [Goes in and shuts the door.

Re-enter Sir JEALOUS TRAFFICK, meeting WHISPER.

Sir Jeal. Sure, whilst I was talking with Mr. Tradewell, I heard my door clap. [Seeing Whisper.] Ha! a man lurking about my house! Who do you want there, sir?

Whisp. Want-want; a pox! Sir Jealous! What must I say now?

Sir Jeal. Ay, want! Have you a letter or message for any body there?-O' my conscience this is some he-bawd

Whisp. Letter or message, sir?

Sir Jeal. Ay, letter or message, sir?

Whisp. No, not I, sir.

Sir Jeal. Sirrah, sirrah! I'll have you set in the stocks if you don't tell your business immediately. Whisp. Nay, sir, my business-is no great matter of business neither, and yet 'tis business of consequence

too.

Sir Jeal. Sirrah, don't trifle with me.

Whisp. Trifle, sir! have you found him, sir?
Sir Jeal. Found what, you rascal ?

Whisp. Why, Trifle is the very lapdog my lady lost, sir; I fancy'd I saw him run into this house. I'm glad you have him-Sir; my lady will be overjoy'd that I have found him.

Sir Jeal. Who is your lady, friend?

Whisp. My lady Lovepuppy, sir.

Sir Jeal. My lady Lovepuppy, sir! then pr'ythee carry thyself to her, for I know of no other whelp

that belongs to her; and let me catch you no more puppy-hunting about my doors, lest I have you prest into the service, sirrah.

Whisp. By no means, sir-Your humble servant. I must watch whether he goes or no before I can tell my master. [Exit. Sir Jeal. This fellow has the officious leer of a pimp, and I half suspect a design; but I'll be upon them before they think on me, I warrant 'em.

[Exit.

SCENE III.

CHARLES's lodgings. Enter CHARLES and MARPLOT.

Cha. Honest Marplot! I thank thee for this supply. I expect my lawyer with a thousand pounds I have ordered him to take up, and then you shall be repaid. Mar. Pho, pho! no more of that. Here comes sir George Airy,

Enter Sir GEORGE.

cursedly out of humour at his disappointment. See how he looks! ha, ha, ha!

Sir Geo. Ah, Charles! I am so humbled in my pretensions to plots upon women, that I believe I shall never have courage enough to attempt a chambermaid again—I'll tell thee—

Cha. Ha, hal I'll spare you the relation by telling you-Impatient to know your business with my fa

ther, when I saw you enter I slipt back into the next room, where I overheard every syllable.

Mar. Did you, Charles? I wish I had been with you.

Sir Geo. That I said-but I'll be hang'd if you heard her answer-But pr'ythee tell me, Charles, is she a fool?

Cha. I never suspected her for one; but Marplot can inform you better if you'll allow him a judge.

Mar. A fool! I'll justify she has more wit than all the rest of her sex put together. Why, she'll rally me till I ha'n't a word to say for myself.

Cha. A mighty proof of her wit, truly

Mar. There must be some trick in't, sir George: egad I'll find it out if it cost me the sum you paid for't.

Sir Geo. Do, and command me

Mar. Enough: let me alone to trace a secret—

Enter WHISPER, and speaks aside to his master.

The devil! he here again? damn that fellow, he ne ver speaks out. Is this the same or a new secret? You may speak out, here are none but friends.

Cha. Pardon me, Marplot, 'tis a secret.

Mar. A secret! ay, or ecod I would not give a farthing for it. Sir George, won't you ask Charles what news Whisper brings?

Sir Geo. Not I, sir; I suppose it does not relate to

me.

Mar. Lord, Lord! how little curiosity some peo

ple have! Now my chief pleasure is in knowing every body's business.

Sir Geo. I fancy, Charles, thou hast some engagement upon thy hands?

Mar. Have you, Charles?

Sir Geo. I have a little business too.

Mar. Have you, sir George?

Sir Geo. Marplot, if it falls in your way to bring me any intelligence from Miranda, you'll find me at the Thatch'd-house at six

Mar. You do me much honour.

Cha. You guess right, sir George; wish me suc

cess.

Sir Geo. Better than attended me. Adieu.

Cha. Marplot, you must excuse me―

[Exit.

Mar. Nay, nay; what need of any excuse amongst friends? I'll go with you.

Cha. Indeed you must not.

Mar. No; then I suppose 'tis a duel, and I will go

to secure you.

Cha. Well, but tis no duel, consequently no danger; therefore, pr'ythee be answer’d.

Mar. What, is't a mistress then?-Mum-you know I can be silent upon occasion.

Cha. I wish you could be civil too: I tell you, you neither must nor shall go with me. Farewell. [Exit. Mar. Why then-I must and will follow you. [Ex.

E