ANGELICA
Mr Scandal, I suppose you don't think it a novelty to see a
woman visit a man at his own lodgings in a morning?
SCANDAL
Not upon a kind occasion, madam. But when a lady comes
tyrannically to insult a ruined lover, and make manifest the cruel
triumphs of her beauty, the barbarity of it something surprises me.
ANGELICA
I don't like raillery from a serious face. Pray tell me what
is the matter?
JEREMY
No strange matter, madam; my master's mad, that's all. I
suppose your ladyship has thought him so a great while.
JEREMY
Why, faith, madam, he's mad for want of his wits, just as he
was poor for want of money; his head is e'en as light as his
pockets, and anybody that has a mind to a bad bargain can't do
better than to beg him for his estate.
ANGELICA
If you speak truth, your endeavouring at wit is very
unseasonable.
ANGELICA
Mr Scandal, you can't think me guilty of so much inhumanity as
not to be concerned for a man I must own myself obliged to? Pray
tell me truth.
SCANDAL
Faith, madam, I wish telling a lie would mend the matter.
But this is no new effect of an unsuccessful passion.
ANGELICA [Aside.] I know not what to think. Yet I should be vexed to
have a trick put upon me. May I not see him?
SCANDAL
I'm afraid the physician is not willing you should see him
yet. Jeremy, go in and enquire.
