Page:The Clandestine Marriage (1766).djvu/91

Rh Betty. Oh! I cou'd not underſtand a word of what was ſaid.

Lovew. The outward door is lock'd?

Betty. Yes; and I bolted it too, for fear of the worſt.

Fanny. Why did you? they muſt have heard you, if they were near.

Betty. And I did it on purpoſe, Madam, and cough'd a little too, that they might not hear Mr. Lovewell's voice—when I was ſilent, they were ſilent, and ſo I came to tell you.

Fanny. What ſhall we do?

Lovew. Fear nothing; we know the worſt; it will only bring on our cataſtrophe a little too ſoon—but Betty might fancy this noiſe—ſhe's in the conſpiracy, and can make a man of a mouſe at any time.

Betty. I can diſtinguiſh a man from a mouſe, as well as my betters—I am ſorry you think ſo ill of me, Sir.

Fanny. He compliments you, don't be a fool!—Now you have ſet her tongue a running, ſhe'll mutter for an hour. [to Lovewell.] I'll go and hearken myſelf.

[Exit.

Betty. I'll turn my back upon no girl, for ſincerity and ſervice. [half aſide, and muttering.

Lovew. Thou art the firſt in the world for both; and I will reward you ſoon, Betty, for one and the other.

Betty. I'm not marcenary neither—I can live on a little, with a good carreter.

Fanny. All ſeems quiet—ſuppoſe, my dear, you go to your own room—I ſhall be much eaſier then—and to-morrow we will be prepared for the diſcovery.

Betty. You may diſcover, if you pleaſe; but, for my part, I ſhall ſtill be ſecret. [half aſide, and muttering.

Lovew. Should I leave you now,—if they ſtill are upon the watch, we ſhall loſe the advantage of our delay.—Beſides, we ſhould conſult upon to-morrow's buſineſs.—Let Betty go to her own room, and lock the