LUCY
      Some mystery hangs on it. 
      How bears she in her carriage towards yourself?

      SELBY
      As one who fears, and yet not greatly cares
      For my displeasure.  Sometimes I have thought,
      A secret glance would tell me she could love,
      If I but gave encouragement.  Before me
      She keeps some moderation; but is never
      Closeted with my wife, but in the end
      I find my Katherine in briny tears. 
      From the small chamber, where she first was lodged,
      The gradual fiend by specious wriggling arts
      Has now ensconced herself in the best part
      Of this large mansion; calls the left wing her own;
      Commands my servants, equipage.—­I hear
      Her hated tread.  What makes she back so soon?

      Enter Mrs. Frampton.

      MRS. FRAMPTON
      O, I am jolter’d, bruised, and shook to death,
      With your vile Wiltshire roads.  The villain Philip
      Chose, on my conscience, the perversest tracks,
      And stoniest hard lanes in all the county,
      Till I was fain get out, and so walk back,
      My errand unperform’d at Andover.

      LUCY
      And I shall love the knave for ever after.
      [Aside.]

      MRS. FRAMPTON
      A friend with you!

      SELBY
      My eldest sister, Lucy,
      Come to congratulate this returning morn.—­
      Sister, my wife’s friend, Mistress Frampton.

      MRS. FRAMPTON
      Pray
      Be seated.  For your brother’s sake, you are welcome. 
      I had thought this day to have spent in homely fashion
      With the good couple, to whose hospitality
      I stand so far indebted.  But your coming
      Makes it a feast.

      LUCY

      She does the honours naturally—­[Aside.]

      SELBY

      As if she were the mistress of the house—­[Aside.]

      MRS. FRAMPTON
      I love to be at home with loving friends. 
      To stand on ceremony with obligations,
      Is to restrain the obliger.  That old coach, though,
      Of yours jumbles one strangely.

      SELBY
      I shall order
      An equipage soon, more easy to you, madam—­

      LUCY
      To drive her and her pride to Lucifer,
      I hope he means. [Aside.]

      MRS. FRAMPTON
      I must go trim myself; this humbled garb
      Would shame a wedding feast.  I have your leave
      For a short absence?—­and your Katherine—­

      SELBY
      You’ll find her in her closet—­

      MRS. FRAMPTON
      Fare you well, then. [Exit.]

      SELBY
      How like you her assurance?