Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/641

 WOFFINGTON. 637 as well as he could, hurried up to Macklin's apartment for security. Macklin was just out of his first sleep when he was roused by his friend, who told him the particular cause of disturbing him, and requesting the use of a bed for the remainder of the night; but what was Garrick's surprise when, on reviewing the articles of his dress which he brought up with him, “in the alarm of fear,” he found he had left his scratch wig below in Miss Woffington's bed chamber. Macklin did all he could to comfort him— the other lay upon tenter-hooks of anxiety a l l night. —But t o return t o his lordship: h e had scarcely entered the apartment, when, finding something entangle his feet i n the dark, h e called for a light, and the first object h e saw was this unfortunate scratch, which, taking u p i n his hand, he exclaimed with a n oath—“Oh Madam, have I found you out a t last? s o here has been a lover i n the case!” and then fell t o upbraiding her i n a l l the language o f rage, jealousy, and disappointment. The lady heard him with great composure for some time; and then, without offering the least excuse, “begged him not t o make himself s o great a fool, but give her her wig back again.” “What! Madam, d o you glory i n your infidelity ? Do you own the wig, then o ’ “Yes, t o b e sure I do,” said she. “I’m sure i t was my money paid for i t , and I hope i t will repay me with money and reputation too.” This called for a farther explanation: a t last she very coolly said, “Why, my lord, i f you will thus desert your character a s a man, and b e prying into a l l the little peculiarities o f my domestic and professional business, know that I am soon t o play a breeches part, and that wig, which you s o triumphantly hold i n your hand, i s the very individual wig I was prac tising i n a little before I went t o bed: and so, because my maid was careless enough t o leave i t i n your lordship's way—here I am t o b e plagued and scolded a t such a rate, a s i f I was a common prostitute.” This speech had all the desired effect: his lordship fell upon his knees, begged a thousand pardons, and the night was passed i n harmony and good humour. Garrick heard these particulars with