The Conscious Lovers

epub:type="z3998:persona">Myrtle Were it not, madam, that I might be troublesome, there is something of importance, though we are alone, which I would say more safe from being heard. Lucinda There is something in this old fellow, methinks, that raises my curiosity. Aside. Myrtle To be free, madam, I as heartily contemn this kinsman of mine as you do, and am sorry to see so much beauty and merit devoted by your parents to so insensible a possessor. Lucinda Surprising!⁠—I hope, then, sir, you will not contribute to the wrong you are so generous as to pity, whatever may be the interest of your family. Myrtle This hand of mine shall never be employed to sign anything against your good and happiness. Lucinda I am sorry, sir, it is not in my power to make you proper acknowledgments; but there is a gentleman in the world whose gratitude will, I am sure, be worthy of the favour. Myrtle All the thanks I desire, madam, are in your power to give. Lucinda Name them and command them. Myrtle Only, madam, that the first time you are alone with your lover, you will, with open arms, receive him. Lucinda As willingly as his heart could wish it. Myrtle Thus, then, he claims your promise. O Lucinda! Lucinda Oh! a cheat! a cheat! a cheat! Myrtle Hush! ’tis I, ’tis I, your lover, Myrtle himself, madam. Lucinda O bless me! what a rashness and folly to surprise me so⁠—But hush⁠—my mother. Enter Mrs. Sealand, Cimberton, and Phillis. Mrs. Sealand How now! what’s the matter? Lucinda O madam! as soon as you left the room my uncle fell into a sudden fit, and⁠—and⁠—so I cried out for help to support him and conduct him to his chamber. Mrs. Sealand That was kindly done! Alas! sir, how do you find yourself? Myrtle Never was taken in so odd a way in my life⁠—pray lead me! Oh! I was talking here⁠—(pray carry me)⁠—to my cousin Cimberton’s young lady. Mrs. Sealand Aside. My cousin Cimberton’s young lady! How zealous he is, even in his extremity, for the match! A right Cimberton. Cimberton and Lucinda lead him, as one in pain. Cimberton Pox! Uncle, you will pull my ear off. Lucinda Pray, uncle! you will squeeze me to death. Mrs. Sealand No matter, no matter⁠—he knows not what he does.⁠—Come, sir, shall I help you out? Myrtle By no means! I’ll trouble nobody but my young cousins here. They lead him off. Phillis But pray, madam, does your ladyship intend that Mr. Cimberton shall really marry my young mistress at last? I don’t think he likes her. Mrs. Sealand That’s not material! Men of his speculation are above desires⁠—but be as it may. Now I have given old Sir Geoffry the trouble of coming up to sign and seal, with what countenance can I be off? Phillis As well as with twenty others, madam. It is the glory and honour of a great fortune to live in continual treaties, and still to break off: it looks great, madam. Mrs. Sealand True, Phillis⁠—yet to return our blood again into the Cimbertons is an honour not to be rejected⁠—But were not you saying that Sir John Bevil’s creature, Humphry, has been with Mr. Sealand? Phillis Yes, madam; I overheard them agree that Mr. Sealand should go himself and visit this unknown lady that Mr. Bevil is so great with; and if he found nothing there to fright him, that Mr. Bevil should still marry my young mistress. Mrs. Sealand How! nay, then, he shall find she is my daughter as well as his. I’ll follow him this instant, and take the whole family along with me. The disputed power of disposing of my own daughter shall be at an end this very night. I’ll live no longer in anxiety for a little hussy that hurts my appearance wherever I carry her: and for whose sake I seem to be at all regarded, and that in the best of my days. Phillis Indeed, madam, if she were married, your ladyship might very well be taken for Mr. Sealand’s daughter. Mrs. Sealand Nay, when the chit has not been with me, I have heard the men say as much. I’ll no longer cut off the greatest pleasure of a woman’s life (the shining in assemblies) by her forward anticipation of the respect that’s due to her superior. She shall down to Cimberton-Hall⁠—she shall⁠—she shall. Phillis I hope, madam, I shall stay with your ladyship. Mrs. Sealand Thou shalt, Phillis, and I’ll place thee then more about me⁠—But order chairs immediately; I’ll be gone this minute. Exeunt.

Scene II. Charing Cross.

	Enter Mr. Sealand and Humphry.
Mr. Sealand	I am very glad, Mr. Humphry, that you agree with me that it is for our common good I should look thoroughly into this matter.
Humphry	I am, indeed, of that opinion; for there is no artifice, nothing concealed, in our family, which ought in justice to be known. I need not desire you, sir, to treat the lady with care and respect.
Mr. Sealand	Master Humphry, I shall not be rude, though I design to be a little abrupt, and come into the matter at once, to see how she will bear upon a surprise.
Humphry	That’s the door, sir; I wish you success.⁠—While Humphry speaks, Sealand consults his table book.⁠—I am less concerned what happens there, because I hear Mr. Myrtle is well lodged as old Sir Geoffry; so I am willing to let this gentleman employ himself here, to give them time at home; for I am sure ’tis necessary for the quiet of our family Lucinda were disposed of out of it, since Mr. Bevil’s inclination is so much otherwise engaged.
	Exit.
Mr. Sealand	I think this is the door. Knocks. I’ll carry this matter with an air of authority, to inquire, though I make an errand, to begin discourse. Knocks again, and enter a foot-boy. So young man! is your lady within?
Boy	Alack, sir! I am but a country boy⁠—I dant know whether she is or noa; but an