The Conscious Lovers

this as you imagine. Nay, this way of expense you speak of is what exalts and raises him that has a taste for it; and, at the same time, his delight is incapable of satiety, disgust, or penitence. Indiana But still I insist his having no private interest in the action, makes it prodigious, almost incredible. Bevil Jr. Dear madam, I never knew you more mistaken. Why, who can be more a usurer than he who lays out his money in such valuable purchases? If pleasure be worth purchasing, how great a pleasure is it to him, who has a true taste of life, to ease an aching heart; to see the human countenance lighted up into smiles of joy, on the receipt of a bit of ore which is superfluous and otherwise useless in a man’s own pocket? What could a man do better with his cash? This is the effect of a human disposition, where there is only a general tie of nature and common necessity. What then must it be when we serve an object of merit, of admiration! Indiana Well! the more you argue against it the more I shall admire the generosity. Bevil Jr. Nay, nay⁠—Then, madam, ’tis time to fly, after a declaration that my opinion strengthens my adversary’s argument. I had best hasten to my appointment with Mr. Myrtle, and begone while we are friends, and before things are brought to an extremity. Exit carelessly. Enter Isabella. Isabella Well, madam, what think you of him now, pray? Indiana I protest, I begin to fear he is wholly disinterested in what he does for me. On my heart, he has no other view but the mere pleasure of doing it, and has neither good or bad designs upon me. Isabella Ah! dear niece! don’t be in fear of both! I’ll warrant you, you will know time enough that he is not indifferent. Indiana You please me when you tell me so; for, if he has any wishes towards me, I know he will not pursue them but with honour. Isabella I wish I were as confident of one as t’other. I saw the respectful downcast of his eye, when you caught him gazing at you during the music. He, I warrant, was surprised, as if he had been taken stealing your watch. Oh! the undissembled guilty look! Indiana But did you observe any such thing, really? I thought he looked most charmingly graceful! How engaging is modesty in a man, when one knows there is a great mind within. So tender a confusion! and yet, in other respects, so much himself, so collected, so dauntless, so determined! Isabella Ah! niece! there is a sort of bashfulness which is the best engine to carry on a shameless purpose. Some men’s modesty serves their wickedness, as hypocrisy gains the respect due to piety. But I will own to you, there is one hopeful symptom, if there could be such a thing as a disinterested lover. But it’s all a perplexity⁠—till⁠—till⁠—till⁠— Indiana Till what? Isabella Till I know whether Mr. Myrtle and Mr. Bevil are really friends or foes.⁠—And that I will be convinced of before I sleep; for you shall not be deceived. Indiana I’m sure I never shall, if your fears can guard me. In the meantime I’ll wrap myself up in the integrity of my own heart, nor dare to doubt of his.

As conscious honour all his actions steers,
So conscious innocence dispels my fears.

Exeunt.

Act III28

Scene I. Sealand’s House.

	Enter Tom, meeting Phillis.
Tom	Well, Phillis! What, with a face as if you had never seen me before!⁠—What a work have I to do now? She has seen some new visitant at their house whose airs she has caught, and is resolved to practise them upon me. Numberless are the changes she’ll dance through before she’ll answer this plain question: videlicet, have you delivered my master’s letter to your lady? Nay, I know her too well to ask an account of it in an ordinary way; I’ll be in my airs as well as she. Aside.⁠—Well, madam, as unhappy as you are at present pleased to make me, I would not, in the general, be any other than what I am. I would not be a bit wiser, a bit richer, a bit taller, a bit shorter than I am at this instant. Looking steadfastly at her.
Phillis	Did ever anybody doubt, Master Thomas, but that you were extremely satisfied with your sweet self?
Tom	I am, indeed. The thing I have least reason to be satisfied with is my fortune, and I am glad of my poverty. Perhaps if I were rich I should overlook the finest woman in the world, that wants nothing but riches to be thought so.
Phillis	How prettily was that said! But I’ll have a great deal more before I’ll say one word. Aside.
Tom	I should, perhaps, have been stupidly above her had I not been her equal; and by not being her equal, never had opportunity of being her slave. I am my master’s servant for hire⁠—I am my mistress’s from choice, would she but approve my passion.
Phillis	I think it’s the first time I ever heard you speak of it with any sense of the anguish, if you really do suffer any.
Tom	Ah, Phillis! can you doubt, after what you have seen?
Phillis	I know not what I have seen, nor what I have heard; but since I am at leisure, you may tell me when you fell in love with me; how you fell in love with me; and what you have suffered or are ready to suffer for me.
Tom	Oh, the unmerciful jade! when I am in haste about my master’s letter. But I must go through it. Aside.⁠—Ah!29 too well I remember when, and how, and on what occasion I was first surprised. It was on the 1st of April, 1715, I came into