SELBY
I owe my subtle Widow, then, for this.
[_Aside_.]

MRS. FRAMPTON
Briefly, we went to church. The ceremony
Scarcely was huddled over, and the ring
Yet cold upon her finger, when they parted--
He to his ship; and we to school got back,
Scarce miss'd, before the dinner-bell could ring.

SELBY
And from that hour--

MRS. FRAMPTON
Nor sight, nor news of him,
For aught that I could hear, she e'er obtain'd.

SELBY
Like to a man that hovers in suspense
Over a letter just receiv'd, on which
The black seal hath impress'd its ominous token,
Whether to open it or no, so I
Suspended stand, whether to press my fate
Further, or check ill curiosity
That tempts me to more loss.--The name, the name
Of this fine youth?

MRS. FRAMPTON
What boots it, if 'twere told?

SELBY
Now, by our loves,
And by my hopes of happier wedlocks, some day
To be accomplish'd, give me his name!

MRS. FRAMPTON
'Tis no such serious matter. It was--Huntingdon.

SELBY
How have three little syllables pluck'd from me
A world of countless hopes!--
[_Aside_.]
Evasive Widow.

MRS. FRAMPTON
How, Sir! I like not this.
[_Aside_.]

SELBY
No, no, I meant
Nothing but good to thee. That other woman,
How shall I call her but evasive, false,
And treacherous?--by the trust I place in thee,
Tell me, and tell me truly, was the name
As you pronounced it?

MRS. FRAMPTON
Huntingdon--the name,
Which his paternal grandfather assumed,
Together with the estates, of a remote
Kinsman; but our high-spirited youth--

SELBY
Yes--

MRS. FRAMPTON
Disdaining
For sordid pelf to truck the family honours,
At risk of the lost estates, resumed the old style,
And answer'd only to the name of--

SELBY
What?

MRS. FRAMPTON
Of Halford--

SELBY
A Huntingdon to Halford changed so soon!
Why, then I see, a witch hath her good spells,
As well as bad, and can by a backward charm
Unruffle the foul storm she has just been raising.
[_Aside_.]
[_He makes the signal._]

My frank, fair spoken Widow! let this kiss,
Which yet aspires no highe