Proof of her Wit truly--

_Marpl._ There must be some Trick in't, Sir _George_; Egad I'll find it
out if it cost me the Sum you paid for't.

Sir _Geo._ Do and Command me--

_Marpl._ Enough, let me alone to Trace a Secret.--

_Enter _Whisper_, and speaks aside to his Master._

The Devil! _Whisper_ here agen, that Fellow never speaks out; is this
the same, or a new Secret? Sir _George_, won't you ask _Charles_ what
News _Whisper_ brings?

Sir _Geo._ Not I, Sir; I suppose it does not relate to me.

_Marpl._ Lord, Lord, how little Curiosity some People have! Now my chief
Pleasure lies in knowing every Body's Business.

Sir _Geo._ I fancy, _Charles_, thou hast some Engagement upon thy Hands:
I have a little Business too. _Marplot_, if it falls in your way to
bring me any Intelligence from _Miranda_, you'll find me at the Thatch'd
House at Six--

_Marpl._ You do me much Honour.

_Char._ You guess right, Sir _George_, wish me Success.

Sir _Geo._ Better than attended me. _Adieu_.
(_Exit._

_Char._ _Marplot_, you must Excuse me.--

_Marpl._ Nay, nay, what need of any Excuse amongst Friends! I'll go with
you.

_Char._ Indeed you must not.

_Marpl._ No, then I suppose 'tis a Duel, and I will go to secure ye.

_Char._ Secure me, why you won't fight.

_Marpl._ What then! I can call People to part ye.

_Char._ Well, but it is no Duel, Consequently no Danger. Therefore
prithee be Answer'd.

_Marpl._ What is't a Mistress then?--Mum--You know I can be silent upon
occasion.

_Char._ I wish you cou'd be Civil too: I tell you, You neither Must nor
Shall go with me. Farewel.
(_Exit._

_Marpl._ Why then--I Must and Will follow you.
_Exit._

_The End of the Second Act._

ACT the Third

_Enter _Charles_._

_Char._ Well, here's the House, which holds the Lovely Prize quiet and
serene; here no noisie Footmen throng to tell the World, that Beauty
dwells within; no Ceremonious Visit makes the Lover wait; no Rival to
give my Heart a Pang; who wou'd not scale the Window at Midnight without
fear of the Jealous Father's Pistol, rather than fill up the Train of a
Coquet, where every Minute he is jostled out of Place. (_Knocks
softly._) Mrs. _Patch_, Mrs. _Patch._

_Enter _Patch_._

_Patch._ Oh, are you come, Sir? All's safe.

_Char._ So in, in then.

_Enter _Marplot_._

_Marpl._ There he goes: Who the Devil lives here? Except I can find out
that, I am as far from knowing his