The Widow's Vow: A Farce, in Two Acts

The Author of the WIDOW's VOW is indebted for the Plot of her Piece, and for the Plot only, to L'Hereuse Erreur , a French Comedy of one Act, by M. Patrat, but to the Excellence of the English Performers alone is she indebted for its very flattering Success.
A Hall in a Castle.
Enter JEROME and FLORA.
Flora. I Can't go at present, Mr. Jerome, for I expect my Lady every moment to ring, and if I should be out of the way she will be angry; and as I am but new in her service—
Jerome. She angry! Oh you don't know her yet—When you have been a day or two with her you'll find she is never angry—She is the best tempered creature—and were it not for her aversion to us men, she would not have a fault.
Flora. Do you consider that as a fault, Mr. Jerome?
Jerome. To be sure I do—For my part, I think she had much better be too fond of us, as the rest of her sex are.
Flora. Pray, Mr. Jerome, what caused her aversion to the men?
Jerome. I'll tell you, Flora, if it wo'nt make you melancholy.
Flora. Oh, no, Mr. Jerome—I like a melancholy story—I like dearly to cry, when it is not on my own account.
Jerome. Well then—When my Lady was only fifteen she fell deep in love with a fine handsome young fellow, inferior to her both in rank and fortune; but my good old Lord, her father, who doated upon her, was afraid a disappointment might break her heart, and so consented to her having him; but he proved so bad a husband that my poor old Master soon died with grief.
Flora. Poor man!