y honour. But
though thou hadst all the treachery and malice of thy sex, thou canst not
lay a blemish on my fame. No, I have not erred in one favourable thought
of mankind. How time might have deceived me in you, I know not; my
opinion was but young, and your early baseness has prevented its growing
to a wrong belief. Unworthy and ungrateful! be gone, and never see me
more.

VAIN. Did I dream? or do I dream? Shall I believe my eyes, or ears? The
vision is here still. Your passion, madam, will admit of no farther
reasoning; but here's a silent witness of your acquaintance. [_Takes our
the letter_, _and offers it_: _she snatches it_, _and throws it away_.]

ARAM. There's poison in everything you touch. Blisters will follow--

VAIN. That tongue, which denies what the hands have done.

ARAM. Still mystically senseless and impudent; I find I must leave the
place.

VAIN. No, madam, I'm gone. She knows her name's to it, which she will
be unwilling to expose to the censure of the first finder.

ARAM. Woman's obstinacy made me blind to what woman's curiosity now
tempts me to see. [_Takes up the letter_.]

SCENE XIII.

BELINDA, SHARPER.

BELIN. Nay, we have spared nobody, I swear. Mr. Sharper, you're a pure
man; where did you get this excellent talent of railing?

SHARP. Faith, madam, the talent was born with me:--I confess I have
taken care to improve it, to qualify me for the society of ladies.

BELIN. Nay, sure, railing is the best qualification in a woman's man.

SCENE XIV.

[_To them_] FOOTMAN.

SHARP. The second best, indeed, I think.

BELIN. How now, Pace? Where's my cousin?

FOOT. She's not very well, madam, and has sent to know if your ladyship
would have the coach come again for you?

BELIN. O Lord, no, I'll go along with her. Come, Mr. Sharper.

SCENE XV.

SCENE: _A chamber in Fondlewife's house_.

LAETITIA and BELLMOUR, his cloak, hat, etc., lying loose about the
chamber.

BELL. Here's nobody, nor no noise--'twas nothing but your fears.

LAET. I durst have sworn I had heard my monster's voice. I swear I was
heartily frightened; feel how my heart beats.

BELL. 'Tis an alarm to love--come in again, and let us--

FOND. [_Without_.] Cocky, Cocky, where are you, Cocky? I'm come home.

LAET. Ah! There he is. Make haste, gather up your things.

FOND. Cocky, Cocky, open the door.

BELL. Pox choke him, would his horns were in his throat.