MEL. Hell and damnation! This is my aunt; such malice can be
engendered nowhere else. [Aside.]

LADY PLYANT. Sir Paul, take Cynthia from his sight; leave me to
strike him with the remorse of his intended crime.

CYNT. Pray, sir, stay, hear him; I dare affirm he's innocent.

SIR PAUL. Innocent! Why, hark'ee--come hither, Thy--hark'ee, I had
it from his aunt, my sister Touchwood. Gadsbud, he does not care a
farthing for anything of thee but thy portion. Why, he's in love
with my wife. He would have tantalised thee, and made a cuckold of
thy poor father, and that would certainly have broke my heart. I'm
sure, if ever I should have horns, they would kill me; they would
never come kindly--I should die of 'em like a child that was cutting
his teeth--I should indeed, Thy--therefore come away; but providence
has prevented all, therefore come away when I bid you.

CYNT. I must obey.


SCENE V.


LADY PLYANT, MELLEFONT.

LADY PLYANT. Oh, such a thing! the impiety of it startles me--to
wrong so good, so fair a creature, and one that loves you tenderly--
'tis a barbarity of barbarities, and nothing could be guilty of it -