_W. Green_. No fear of that.

_Sir Wil_. Nor given to boast.

_W. Green_. O! dear Sir William!

_Sir Wil_. Nor A flirt!

_W. Green_. O! who would take you for a flirt?

_Sir Wil_. How very kind you are!

_W. Green_. Go on, Sir William.

_Sir Wil_. Upon my life, I fear you'll think me vain!

I'm covered with confusion at the thought Of what I've done. 'Twas very, very wrong To promise you the story of the ring; Men should not talk of such things.

_W. Green_. Such as what?

As ladies' favours?

_Sir Wil_. 'Pon my life, I feel As I were like to sink into the earth.

_W. Green_. A lady then it was gave you the ring?

_Sir Wil_. Don't ask me to say yes, but only scan The inside of the ring.--How much she's moved. [Aside.]

_Wal_. They to each other company enough!

I, company for no one but myself.

I'll take my leave, nor trouble them to pay The compliments of parting. Lydia! Lydia!

[Goes out.]

_W. Green_. What's here? "Eliza!" So it was a lady!-- How wondrously does Master Waller bear it!

He surely will not hold much longer out.--[Aside.]

Sir William! Nay, look up! What cause to cast Your eyes upon the ground? What an it were A lady?

_Sir Wil_. You're not angry?

_W. Green_. No!

_Sir Wil_. She is.

I'll take the tone she speaks in 'gainst the word, For fifty crowns.--I have not told you all About the ring; though I would sooner die Than play the braggart!--yet, as truth is truth, And told by halves, may from a simple thing, By misconstruction, to a monster grow, I'll tell the whole truth!

_W. Green_. Dear Sir William, do!

_Sir Wil_. The lady was a maid, and very young; Nor there in justice to her must I stop, But say that she was beautiful as young; And add to that that she was learned too, Almost enough to win for her that t.i.tle, Our s.e.x, in poor conceit of their own merits, And narrow spirit of monopoly, And jealousy, which gallantry eschews, Do give to women who a.s.sert their right To minds as well as we.

_W. Green_. What! a blue-stocking?

_Sir Wil_. I see--she'll come to calling names at last.--[Aside.]

I should offend myself to quote the term.

But, to return, for yet I have not done; And further yet may go, then progress on That she was young, that she was beautiful.

A wit and learned are naught to what's to come-- She had a heart!--

_W. Green_. [Who during SIR WILLIAM'S speech has turned gradually.]

What, Master Waller gone! [Aside.]

_Sir Wil_. I say she had a heart--

_W. Green_. [Starting up--SIR WILLIAM also.] A plague upon her!

_Sir Wil_. I knew she would break out! [Aside.]

_W. Green_. Here, take the ring. It has ruined me!

_Sir Wil_. I vow thou hast no cause For anger!

_W. Green_. Have I not? I am undone, And all about that bauble of a ring.

_Sir Wil_. You're right, it is a bauble.

_W. Green_. And the minx That gave it thee!

_Sir Wil_. You're right, she was a minx.

I knew she'd come to calling names at last. [Aside.]

_W. Green_. Sir William Fondlove, leave me.

_Sir Wil_. Widow Green!--

_W. Green_. You have undone me, sir!

_Sir Wil_. Don't say so! Don't!

It was a girl--a child gave me the ring!

_W. Green_. Do you hear me, sir? I bade you leave me.

_Sir Wil_. If I thought you were so jealous--

_W. Green_. Jealous, sir!

Sir William! quit my house.

_Sir Wil_. A little girl To make you jealous!

W. Green. Sir, you'll drive me mad!

_Sir Wil_. A child, a perfect child, not ten years old!

_W. Green_. Sir, I would be alone, sir!