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SCENE ivl THE OLD BACHELOR 83
Læt. Nay, now—[Aside.] I never saw anything so agreeably
impudent!—[Aloud.] Won't you censure me for this,
now?—but 'tis to buy your silence.—\Kisses him.] Dh, but
what am I doing!
Bell. Doing! no tongue can express it—not thy own! nor
anything but thy lips! I am faint with excess of bliss: Oh,
for love's sake, lead me any whither where I may lie down!
—quickly, for I'm afraid I shall have a fit.
Læt. Bless me! what fit?
Bell. Oh, a convulsion'—I feel the symptoms.
Læt. Does it hold you long? I'm afraid to carry you into
mv chamber.
Bell. Oh, no! let me lie down upon the bed;—the fit will
be soon over-
SCENE IV
St. James's
AHAMINTA and BELINDA meeting.
Belin. Lard, my dear, I am glad T have met you!—I have
been at the Exchange 10 since, and am so tired.
Aram. Why, what's the matter?
Belin. Oh, the most inhuman barbarous hackney-coach!
I am jolted to a jelly!—Am I not horribly toused?
\Pulls out a pocket-glass.
Aram. Your head's a little out of order.
Belin. A little! D frightful! what a furious phiz I have!
O most rueful! ha! ha! ha! O gad, I hope nobody will
come this way, till I have put myself a little in repair.—
Ah, my dear, I have seen such unhewn creatures since!—
ha! ha! ha! I can't for my .soul My thinking that I Iook
just like one of 'em.—Good dear, pin this, and I'll tell you.
—Very well—so, thank vou, mv dear.—But as I was telling
you—pish! this is the untowardest lock!—So. as I was telling
you—how d'ye like me now? hideous, ha? frightful still ?
or how?
Aram. No, no; vou're very well as can be.
Belin. And so—but where did I leave off, my dear? I was
telling you—
10 The Royal Exchange was at this time a favourite lounge; the pnllerirs ovrr
its piazzas were Ailed with shape kept chiefly by women, not always of the
most reputable character.