mine. In short, the consequence was thus, she omitted nothing that
the most violent love could urge, or tender words express; which
when she saw had no effect, but still I pleaded honour and nearness
of blood to my uncle, then came the storm I feared at first, for,
starting from my bed-side like a fury, she flew to my sword, and
with much ado I prevented her doing me or herself a mischief.
Having disarmed her, in a gust of passion she left me, and in a
resolution, confirmed by a thousand curses, not to close her eyes
till they had seen my ruin.

CARE. Exquisite woman! But what the devil, does she think thou
hast no more sense than to get an heir upon her body to disinherit
thyself? for as I take it this settlement upon you is, with a
proviso, that your uncle have no children.

MEL. It is so. Well, the service you are to do me will be a
pleasure to yourself: I must get you to engage my Lady Plyant all
this evening, that my pious aunt may not work her to her interest.
And if you chance to secure her to yourself, you may incline her to
mine. She's handsome, and knows it; is very silly, and thinks she
has sense, and has an old fond husband.

CARE. I confess, a very fair foundation for a lover to build upon.

MEL. For my Lord Froth, he and his wife will be sufficiently taken
up with admiring one another and Brisk's gallantry, as they call it.
I'll observe my uncle myself, and Jack Maskwell has promised me to
watch my aunt narrowly, and give me notice upon any suspicion. As
for Sir Paul, my wise father-in-law that is to be, my dear Cynthia
has such a share in his fatherly fondness, he would scarce make her