“The gentleman! my dear,” said Amelia; “what gentleman?”
“The gentleman—the nobleman—when I came up; sure I speak plain.”
“Upon my word, my dear, I don’t understand you,” answered she; “I did not know one person at the masquerade.”
“How!” said he; “what! spend the whole evening with a masque without knowing him?”
“Why, my dear,” said she, “you know we were not together.”
“I know we were not,” said he, “but what is that to the purpose? Sure you answer me strangely. I know we were not together; and therefore I ask you whom you were with?”
“Nay, but, my dear,” said she, “can I tell people in masques?”
“I say again, madam,” said he, “would you converse two hours or more with a masque whom you did not know?”
“Indeed, child,” says she, “I know nothing of the methods of a masquerade; for I never was at one in my life.”
“I wish to Heaven you had not been at this!” cries Booth. “Nay, you will wish so yourself if you tell me truth.—What have I said? do I—can I suspect you of not speaking truth? Since you are ignorant then I will inform you: the man you have conversed with was no other than Lord——.”