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SCENE II] THE DOUBLE-DEALER 149
so put to bed; and there he lies with a great beard, like a
Russian bear upon a drift of snow. You are very great with
him, I wonder he never told you his grievances: he will,
I warrant you.
Care. Excessively foolish!—But that which gives me
most hopes of her is her telling me of the many temptations
she has resisted.
Mel. Nay, then you have her; for a woman's bragging to
a man that she has overcome temptations, is an argument
that they were weakly offered, and a challenge to him to
engage her more irresistibly. Tis only an enhancing the
price of the commodity by telling you how many customers
have underbid her.
Care. Nay, I don't despair: but still she has a grudging
to you. I talked to her t'other night at my Lord Froth's
masquerade, when I'm satisfied she knew me, and I had no
reason to complain of my reception; but I find women are
not the same barefaced and in masks; and a vizor disguises
their inclinations as much as their faces.
Mel. 'Tis a mistake, for women may most properly be
said to be unmasked when they wear vizors; for that
secures them from blushing, and being out of countcnanrc;
and next to being in the dark, or alone, they are mast truly
themselves in a vizor-mask.—Here they rome, I'll leave vou.
—Ply her close, and by-and-by clap a billet-doux into her
hand; for a woman never thinks a man trulv in love with
her till he has been fool enough to think nf her out of her
sight, and to lose so much time as to write to her. \Exit.
Enter Sir PAUL and Lady PLYANT.
Sir Paul. Shan't we disturb your meditation, Mr. Careless?
you would be private?
Care. You bring that along with you, Sir Paul, that shall
be always welcome to my privacy.
Sir Paul. D sweet sir, you load vour humble servants,
both me and my wife, with continual favours.
Lady Ply. Sir Paul, what a phrase was there! You will
be making answers, and taking that upon you which
ought to lie upon me'—That you should have so little
breeding to think Mr. Careless did not apply himself to me!
Pray what have you to entertain anybody's privacy? I
swear, and declare in the face of the world, I'm ready to
blush for your ignorance!