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132 WILLIAM CONGREVE [ACT n
Lady Froth. D' my conscience, no more we should; thou
sayest right: for sure my Lord Froth is as fine a gentleman
and as much a man of quality! Ah, nothing at all of the
common air!—I think I may say he wants nothing but a
blue ribbon and a star to make him shine, the very phosphorus
of our hemisphere. Do you understand those two
hard words? if you don't, I'll explain 'em to you.
Cyn. Yes, yes, madam, I'm not so ignorant.—\Aside. \
At least I won't own it, to be troubled with your instructions.
Lady Froth. Nay, I beg your pardon; but being derived
from the Greek, I thought you might have escaped the
etymology.—But I'm the more amazed to find you a
woman of letters, and not write! bless me! how can Mellefont
believe you love him?
Cyn. Why faith, ipadam, he that won't take my word,
shall never have it under my hand.
Lady Froth. I vow Mellefont's a pretty gentleman, but
mcthinks he wants a manner.
Cyn. A manner! what's that, madam?
Lady Froth. Some distinguishing quality, as for example,
the bel air or brillant of Mr. Brisk; the solemnity, yet
complaisance of my lord, or something of his own that
should look a little je ne sais quui; he is too much a
mediocrity, in my mind.
Cyn. He does not indeed affect either pertness or formality,
for which I like him. Here he comes.
Lady Froth. And my lord with him-, pray observe the
difference.
Enter Lord FROTH, MELLEFoNT, and BRISK.
Cyn.[Asidc.] Impertinent creature! I could almost be
angry with her now.
Lady Froth. My lord, I have been telling Cynthia how
much I have been in love with you, I swear I have; I'm
not ashamed to own it now. Ah, it makes my heart leap'
I vow, I sigh when I think on't; my dear lord, ha! ha! ha!
do you remember, my Inrd?
[Squeezes him by the hand, loo^s fondly on him,
sighs and then laughs out.
Lord Froth. Pleasant creature! perfectly well.—Ah, that
luok! ay, there it is! who could resist? 'twas so my heart
was made a captive first, and ever since 't has been in love
with happy slavery.