thus long, and never made one
trip--not one _faux pas_. Oh, consider it; what would you have to
answer for, if you should provoke me to frailty! Alas! humanity is
feeble, Heaven knows! Very feeble, and unable to support itself.

_Mellefont._--Where am I? Is it day? and am I awake? Madam--

_Lady Plyant._--O Lord, ask me the question! I'll swear I'll deny
it--therefore don't ask me; nay, you shan't ask me, I swear I'll deny
it. O Gemini, you have brought all the blood into my face; I warrant
I am as red as a turkey-cock; O fie, cousin Mellefont!

_Mellefont._--Nay, madam, hear me; I mean----

_Lady Plyant._--Hear you? No, no; I'll deny you first, and hear you
afterwards. For one does not know how one's mind may change upon
hearing--hearing is one of the senses, and all the senses are
fallible. I won't trust my honour, I assure you; my honour is
infallible and uncomatable.

_Mellefont._--For heaven's sake, madam----

_Lady Plyant._--Oh, name it no more. Bless me, how can you talk of
Heaven, and have so much wickedness in your heart? May be, you don't
think it a sin. They say some of you gentlemen don't think it a sin;
but still, my honour, if it were no sin ----. But, then, to marry my
daughter for the convenience of frequent opportunities--I'll never
consent to that: as sure as can be, I'll break the match.

_Mellefont._--Death and amazement! Madam, upon my knees----

_Lady Plyant._--Nay, nay, rise up; come, you shall see my good
nature. I know love is powerful, and nobody can help his passion.
'Tis not your fault; nor I swear, it is not mine. How can I help it,
if I have charms? And how can you help it, if you are made a
captive? I swear it is pity it should be a fault; but, my honour.
Well, but your honour, too--but the sin! Well, but the necessity. O
Lord, here's somebody coming. I dare not stay. Well, you must
consider of your crime; and strive as much as can be against
it--strive, be sure; but don't be melancholick--don't despair; but
never think that I'll grant you anything. O Lord, no: but be sure
you lay all thoughts aside of the marriage, for though I know you
don't love Cynthia, only as a blind for your passion to me; yet it
will make me jealous. O Lord, what did I say? Jealous! No, I can't
b