Arch. No, no, we shall disturb the family——But will you be sure to keep the secret?
Scrub. Pho! upon my honour, as I'm a gentleman.
Arch. 'Tis enough——You must know then, that my master is the Lord Viscount Aimwell: he fought a duel t'other day in London, wounded his man so dangerously, that he thinks fit to withdraw, till he hears whether the gentleman's wounds be mortal or not. He never was in this part of England before, so he chose to retire to this place, that's all.
Gip. And, that's enough for me. [Exit.
Scrub. And where were you, when your master fought?
Arch. We never know of our master's quarrels.
Scrub. No! if our masters in the country here receive a challenge, the first thing they do, is to tell their wives; the wife tells the servants, the servants alarm the tenants, and in half an hour, you shall have the whole country up in arms.
Arch. To hinder two men from doing what they have no mind for.—But, if you should chance to talk now of this business——
Scrub. Talk! Ah, sir, had I not learned the knack of holding my tongue, I had never lived so long in a great family.
Arch. Ay, ay, to be sure, there are secrets in all families.