Sir Geo. A pleasant Fellow.

Cha. The Dog is Diverting sometimes, or there wou’d be no enduring his Impertinence:  He is pressing to be employ’d and willing to execute, but some ill Fate generally attends all he undertakes, and he oftner spoils an Intreague than helps it—­

Marpl. If I miscarry ’tis none of my Fault, I follow my Instructions.

Cha. Yes, witness the Merchant’s Wife.

Marpl. Pish, Pox, that was an Accident.

Sir Geo. What was it, prithee?

Ch. Why, you must know, I had lent a certain Merchant my hunting Horses, and was to have met his Wife in his Absence:  Sending him along with my Groom to make the Complement, and to deliver a Letter to the Lady at the same time; what does he do, but gives the Husband the Letter, and offers her the Horses.

Marpl. I remember you was even with me, for you deny’d the Letter to be yours, and swore I had a design upon her, which my Bones paid for.

Cha. Come, Sir George, let’s walk round, if you are not ingag’d, for I have sent my Man upon a little earnest Business, and have order’d him to bring me the Answer into the Park.

Marpl. Business, and I not know it, Egad I’ll watch him.

Sir Geo. I must beg your Pardon, Charles, I am to meet your Father here.

Ch. My Father!

Sir Geo. Aye! and about the oddest Bargain perhaps you ever heard off; but I’ll not impart till I know the Success.

Marpl. What can his Business be with Sir Francis? Now wou’d I give
all the World to know it; why the Devil should not one know every Man’s
Concern.
    (Aside.

Cha. Prosperity to’t whate’er it be, I have private Affairs too; over a Bottle we’ll compare Notes.

Marpl. Charles knows I love a Glass as well as any Man, I’ll make one; shall it be to Night?  Ad I long to know their Secrets.
    (Aside.

  Enter Whisper_._

Whis. Sir, Sir, Mis Patch says, Isabinda’s Spanish Father has quite spoil’d the Plot, and she can’t meet you in the Park, but he infallibly will go out this Afternoon, she says; but I must step again to know the Hour.

Marpl. What did Whisper say now?  I shall go stark Mad, if I’m not let into this Secret.
    (Aside.

Cha. Curst Misfortune, come along with me, my Heart feels Pleasure at her Name.  Sir George, yours; we’ll meet at the old place the usual Hour.

Sir Geo. Agreed; I think I see Sir Francis yonder.
    (Exit.

Cha. Marplot, you must excuse me, I am engag’d.
    (Exit.

Marpl. Engag’d, Egad I’ll engage my Life, I’ll know what your
Engagement is.
    (Exit.