The Way of the World: Scene XI.
Scene XI.
MRS. MILLAMANT, MRS. MARWOOD.
MILLAMANT
The town has found it? What has it found? That Mirabell
loves me is no more a secret than it is a secret that you discovered
it to my aunt, or than the reason why you discovered it is a secret.
MRS. MARWOOD
You are nettled.
MILLAMANT
You're mistaken. Ridiculous!
MRS. MARWOOD
Indeed, my dear, you'll tear another fan, if you don't
mitigate those violent airs.
MILLAMANT
O silly! Ha, ha, ha! I could laugh immoderately. Poor
Mirabell! His constancy to me has quite destroyed his complaisance
for all the world beside. I swear I never enjoined it him to be so
coy. If I had the vanity to think he would obey me, I would command
him to show more gallantry: 'tis hardly well-bred to be so
particular on one hand and so insensible on the other. But I
despair to prevail, and so let him follow his own way. Ha, ha, ha!
Pardon me, dear creature, I must laugh; ha, ha, ha! Though I grant
you 'tis a little barbarous; ha, ha, ha!
MRS. MARWOOD
What pity 'tis so much fine raillery, and delivered with
so significant gesture, should be so unhappily directed to miscarry.
MILLAMANT
Heh? Dear creature, I ask your pardon. I swear I did not
mind you.
MRS. MARWOOD
Mr. Mirabell and you both may think it a thing
impossible, when I shall tell him by telling you -
MILLAMANT
Oh dear, what? For it is the same thing, if I hear it. Ha,
ha, ha!
MRS. MARWOOD
That I detest him, hate him, madam.
MILLAMANT
O madam, why, so do I
And yet the creature loves me, ha,
ha, ha! How can one forbear laughing to think of it? I am a sibyl
if I am not amazed to think what he can see in me. I'll take my
death, I think you are handsomer, and within a year or two as young.
If you could but stay for me, I should overtake you--but that cannot
be. Well, that thought makes me melancholic.--Now I'll be sad.
MRS. MARWOOD
Your merry note may be changed sooner than you think.
MILLAMANT
D'ye say so? Then I'm resolved I'll have a song to keep up
my spirits.