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Pru. You know what they fay, Madam, of the old Marchionefs, your Friend, that was fo admir'd, fo courted in her Youth; who, when the found fhe was forfook by all, was forc'd to hire a Player by the Quarter: How foon rhe poor Fellow was tir'd too! How like a Sheep-biter he look'd after the firft two Months!

Lady. This London is a very wicked Place, 'tis impoffible to live without Scandal here.

Pru. I'm afraid they'll fay as much of you, Madam, if you bargain for a Husband. To covet one, that is both Young and Rich, is too much in Conscience, Madam.

Lady. Thou know'ft, Prudence, Wealth is not the thing Í feek.

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Pru. Then, Madam, the Bufinefs is done the Viscount Sans-Terre fhall be your Husband, Madam.

as

Lady. Ah Prudence! if he were but as handsome

Pru. Ah Madam, that's too much.

Lady. Why may not I wish for it?

Pru. Confider his Quality, Madam, and 'bate him Tomething for that. One thing I must advise you; be not too prodigal of your Gold at firft; to be liberal fometimes will be convenient, and make him kinder to you.

Lady. For all this, I fhould think my felf very happy, if I were certain of Mr. Cuningham or Mr.

Lovemore.

Pru. A little Jealoufy will inflame 'em. They'll be more preffing when the Viscount comes.

Lady. But yet methinks, Cuningham and my Neice-
Pru. What, Madam?

Lady. Are always whispering.

Pru. He only compliments her, Madam. She's too young to make Love feriously.

Lady.

Lady. With your Favour, there's no trufting to that. To my Knowledge, there are thofe younger, than fhe, that understand what Love is but too well.

Pru. That's true, Madam; but Philadelphia is fo innocent, that no Man can make Love to her, but to divert himself. Here he is, Madam,

Enter Philadelphia,

Lady. What does the come for? I'll fend her packing quickly.

Pru. Confider what you do, Madam. How can Mr. Lovemore entertain your Ladyship, unless his Friend may divert himself the while with rallying with your Niece.

Lady. For all that I could wifh

Pru. Pray trouble not your felf. Truft me, I'll watch her, Madam.

Phil. Will your Ladyship go to Eaton's? The Coach is at the Door.

Lady. No, I'll not go yet,

Phil. If you ftay long, Madam, the best Poynt will be fold before you come.

Lady. No matter. Ha! what ails the Girl! How Ítrangely fhe looks! Her Eyes are hardly open yet!

Phil. How, Madam?

Lady. Then her Head's drefs'd awry. How it dif guifes her! Lord! how frightfully it looks!

is.

Phil. Truly, Aunt, 'tis drefs'd just as the Fashion

Lady. Fetch her Hood, Prudence; I'll have her put it on till it be mended."

Phil. I drefs'd it to please no body but my felf, Madam.

Lady. I'll have you drefs your felf now to please me: Come, put it on.

Pru.

Pru. My Lady's in the Right.

Never was a

ny thing more ridiculous. Here, put on the Hood, I am fure this is much handfomer.

Lady. Why don't you put it on?
Phil. I can't endure it, Madam-
Lady. Do, I fay.

Pru. So; Now it is as it fhould be; all modeft Maids fhould be drefs'd fo: But here's Mr. Cuningham and Mr. Lovemore.

Enter Cuningham, Lovemore and Jeffry.

Love. Your Servant, Madam; you fee how we love your Company, by giving you this Trouble in a Morning.

Cun. Tis a Happiness we are much envy'd for. Lady. You are welcome, Gentlemen. Pray command this Houfe as freely as your own.

Love. Why does this Lady hide her Face? Pray, Madam, let us fee you.

Lady. Forbear, Sir, I beseech you: She has had the Tooth-Ach lately. If fhe takes off her Hood, fhe'll catch cold, and bring the Pain again.

Phil. I thank your Ladyfhip for your Care of me. But the Pain has been gone fo long, I don't fear it

now.

Love. Nay then, we must have it off.

Phil. What fay you, Madam, Shall I pull it off? Lady. Yes, Impertinence; I fee you have a Mind to fhew your self.

Pru. 'Tis the Nature of all young Girls to do what they are forbidden.

Čun. I come not to trouble your Ladyfhip for your Letter to my Lawyer; your countenancing my Business will be of great Advantage to me.

Lady. This, Sir, is what my Brother commands me: You fhall fee I take delight to ferve his Friends.

Love. Madam, You promis'd me that Honourable Title.

Lady. Do you pretend to it?

Love. Yes, Madam, more, than any one.

Lady. I have not much Beauty to boast of; but Virtue, Sir, makes fome amends for the Defects of the other.

Love. Defects? (Cuningham Courts Philadelphia. Pray, Madam, wrong not your felf fo much.

Lady. There are few but know a little their own Value: And tho a Woman be not fam'd for a great Beauty, yet if the be agreeable, there are thofe, will like her well enough.

Love. You have that in Perfection, Madam, Lady. In that, Sir, I know you do not flater, Phil.

Phil. Madam.

Cun. Then, Madam, you like my Choice of this Suit.

Phil. Extremely well: Was it your own Fancy, Sir.

Cun. I am not afham'd to own it, fince you ask it, Madam.

[They counterfeit to be talking about Fashions, whilft feemingly Lovemore Courts the Aunt.

Pru. I'll liften to 'em-

He talks to her of nothing but new Fashions. [To the You may, Madam, venture to difcourfe Widow. without disturbance,

Lady. Pray, Sir, tell me freely, how old do you

think I am?

Love. Faith, Madam, if you were not a Widow, I fhould think you a Girl scarce Twenty.

Lady. Now, Sir, you flater me: You might have faid Thirty. I do not love to disguise my Age.

Love. How! Thirty, Madam! and look fo youthful: I'll not believe it, 'tis impoffible!

Lady.

Lady. You do not know what Mifery I endur'd whilft my old Husband liv'd. The Griefs I had upon me would have diftracted another Woman. Alas! Sir, 'tis not Age but Sorrow has broke me.

Love. It makes me fad to hear you tell it, Madam, and vexes me to think, an old Man fhould enjoy fuch Happiness.

Lady. You do not know how many Tears I have

fhed.

Love. 'Tis fome Comfort, Madam, to remember he did not live long with you.

Lady. Truly, Sir, Fifteen Years. Pru. Yes, and Fifteen to that. (Afide. Lady. Having been fo unfortunate in a Husband, you may believe I have but little Encouragement to venture, Sir, again. For I am very happy now I am alone.

Love. You do wifely, Madam; for fhe deferves not to be pity'd, that rafhly runs into the fame Misfortune; and therefore you have, Madam-

Lady. Nay, Sir, I have not forfworn Marrying yet.

Love. Pray, Madam, where do you use to walk in the Evening? Into St. James's Park? Lady. Not very often, Sir.

Love. Or into the Mulberry Garden? Is not the Wilderness very pleasant?

Lady. If I like my Company, Sir, I never mislike the Place.

Love. Have you feen the new Paradife, Madam? 'Tis much fuperiour to the former.

Lady. I have heard as much: But, Sir

Love. Let me have the Honour to wait upon you thither presently.

Lady. Not yet, Sir; After Dinner, if you please. But tell me, Sir, do you think me fuch an Enemy to Marriage, that were I fure a young Gentleman lov'd

me,

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