call, madam?
BELIN. Get my hoods and tippet, and bid the footman call a chair.
ARAM. I hope you are not going out in dudgeon, cousin.
SCENE IV.
[_To them_] FOOTMAN.
FOOT. Madam, there are--
BELIN. Is there a chair?
FOOT. No, madam, there are Mr. Bellmour and Mr. Vainlove to wait upon
your ladyship.
ARAM. Are they below?
FOOT. No, madam, they sent before, to know if you were at home.
BELIN. The visit's to you, cousin; I suppose I am at my liberty.
ARAM. Be ready to show 'em up.
SCENE V.
[_To them_] BETTY, _with Hoods and Looking-glass_.
I can't tell, cousin; I believe we are equally concerned. But if you
continue your humour, it won't be very entertaining. (I know she'd fain
be persuaded to stay.) [_Aside_.]
BELIN. I shall oblige you, in leaving you to the full and free enjoyment
of that conversation you admire.
BELIN. Let me see; hold the glass. Lard, I look wretchedly to-day!
ARAM. Betty, why don't you help my cousin? [_Putting on her hoods_.]
BELIN. Hold off your fists, and see that he gets a chair with a high
roof, or a very low seat. Stay, come back here, you Mrs. Fidget--you are
so ready to go to the footman. Here, take 'em all again, my mind's
changed; I won't go.
SCENE VI.
ARAMINTA, BELINDA.
ARAM. So, this I expected. You won't oblige me, then, cousin, and let
me have all the company to myself?
BELIN. No; upon deliberation, I have too much charity to trust you to
yourself. The devil watches all opportunities; and in this favourable
disposition of your mind, heaven knows how far you may be tempted: I am
tender of your reputation.
ARAM. I am obliged to you. But who's malicious now, Belinda?
BELIN. Not I; witness my heart, I stay out of pure affection.
ARAM. In my conscience I believe you.
SCENE VII.
[_To them_] VAINLOVE, BELLMOUR, FOOTMAN.
BELL. So, fortune be praised! To find you both within, ladies, is--
ARAM. No miracle, I hope.
BELL. Not o' your side, madam, I confess. But my tyrant there and I,
are two buckets that can never come together.
BELIN. Nor are ever like. Yet we often meet and clash.
BELL. How never like! marry, Hymen forbid. But this it is to run so
extravagantly in debt; I have laid out such a world of love in your
service, that you think you can never be able to pay me all. So shun me
for the same reason that you would a dun.
BELIN. Ay, on my conscience, and the most
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