Joh. Why not, my lord? am not I the mistress of the family? and is it not my place to see good order kept in it? I thought he might have allured some of the she-slaves to him, and was resolved to prevent what might have been betwixt him and 376 them; when, on the sudden, he rushed out upon me, caught me in his arms with such a fury—
Muf. I have heard enough.—Away with him!
Joh. Mistaking me, no doubt, for one of his fellow-slaves: with that, affrighted as I was, I discovered myself, and cried aloud; but as soon as ever he knew me, the villain let me go; and I must needs say, he started back as if I were some serpent; and was more afraid of me than I of him.
Muf. O thou corrupter of my family, that's cause enough of death!—once again, away with him.
Joh. What, for an intended trespass? No harm has been done, whatever may be. He cost you five hundred crowns, I take it.
Muf. Thou say'st true, a very considerable sum: he shall not die, though he had committed folly with a slave; it is too much to lose by him.
Ant. My only fault has ever been to love playing in the dark; and the more she cried, the more I played, that it might be seen I intended nothing to her.
Muf. To your kennel, sirrah; mortify your flesh, and consider in whose family you are.
Joh. And one thing more,—remember from henceforth to obey better.
Muf. [Aside.] For all her smoothness, I am not quite cured of my jealousy; but I have thought of a way that will clear my doubts.
[Exit Muf. with Joh. and Servants.