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234 WILLIAM CONGREVE [ACT III
good fortune to be trusted once with a lady's secret, not
once.
Ang. No!
Val. Not once, I dare answer for him.
Scan. And I'll answer for him; for I'm sure if he had,
he would have told me.—I find, madam, you don't know
Mr. Tattle.
Tat. No, indeed, madam, you don't know me at all, I
find. For sure my intimate friends would have known—
Aug. Then it seems you would have told, if you had
been trusted.
Tat. D pox, Scandal! that was too far put.—Never have
told particulars, madam. Perhaps I might have talked as
of a third person, or have introduced an amour of my own,
in conversation, by way of novel; but never have explained
particulars.
Ang. But whence comes the reputation of Mr. Tattle's
secrecy, if he was never trusted?
Scan. Why thence it arises: the thing is proverbially
spoken; but may be applied to him.—As if we should say
in general terms, "He only is secret who never was trusted";
a satirical proverb upon our sex.—There's another upon
yours, as "She is chaste who was never asked the question."
That's all.
Val. A couple of very civil proverbs truly: 'tis hard to
tell whether the lady or Mr. Tattle be the more obliged
to you. For you found her virtue upon the backwardness
of the men, and his secrecy upon the mistrust of the women.
Tat. Gad, it's very true, madam, I think we are obliged
to acquit ourselves; and for my part—but your ladyship is
to speak first.
Ang. Am I? well, I freely confess I have resisted a great
deal of temptation.
Tat. And, egad, I have given some temptation that has
not been resisted.
Val. Good!
Ang. I cite Valentine here, to declare to the court how
fruitless he has found his endeavours, and to confess all his
solicitations and my denials.
Val. I am ready to plead not guilty for you, and guilty
for myself.
Scan. So, why this is fair, here's demonstration with a
witness!