The Way of the World: Scene IV.
Scene IV.
[To them] MRS MARWOOD.
MRS. MARWOOD
I'm surprised to find your ladyship in DESHABILLE at this
time of day.
LADY WISHFORT
Foible's a lost thing; has been abroad since morning, and
never heard of since.
MRS. MARWOOD
I saw her but now, as I came masked through the park, in
conference with Mirabell.
LADY WISHFORT
With Mirabell? You call my blood into my face with
mentioning that traitor. She durst not have the confidence. I sent
her to negotiate an affair, in which if I'm detected I'm undone. If
that wheedling villain has wrought upon Foible to detect me, I'm
ruined. O my dear friend, I'm a wretch of wretches if I'm detected.
MRS. MARWOOD
O madam, you cannot suspect Mrs. Foible's integrity.
LADY WISHFORT
Oh, he carries poison in his tongue that would corrupt
integrity itself. If she has given him an opportunity, she has as
good as put her integrity into his hands. Ah, dear Marwood, what's
integrity to an opportunity? Hark! I hear her. Dear friend,
retire into my closet, that I may examine her with more freedom--
you'll pardon me, dear friend, I can make bold with you--there are
books over the chimney--Quarles and Pryn, and the SHORT VIEW OF THE
STAGE, with Bunyan's works to entertain you.--Go, you thing, and
send her in. [To PEG.]