Inis. Delightful, Madam—I have been introduced to the young Countess—I first communicated the intelligence of the pretended plot forming against her to her waiting-woman, who was sufficiently alarmed at it, to take me to her Lady immediately.
Isabel. Well.
Inis. And so, Madam, as soon as I was introduced I fell a crying—I thought that was the best way.
Isabel. Very well.
Inis. And then, before I discovered what I had to say, I made her promise not to betray me, which she did most solemnly, and without the least reluctance—and now, Madam, says I, I live servant with your neighbour, Donna Isabella, a flighty Lady, who turns every thing serious and sacred into ridicule; and she has resolved to make sport of you for pretending an aversion to men, and for that purpose she has procured recommendations for you to receive the visits of the young Marquis her brother, but instead of him, she purposes to come herself, disguised as a man, prevail on you to consent to be married to her, and then throw off the mask, and make you and your vow the jest of the whole kingdom.
Isabel. This is all right—go on.
Inis. On this she thanked me a thousand times for the discovery.
Isabel. But did she say she would receive me?
Inis. Oh yes—she has promised to receive you on my account, that my divulging the scheme may not be detected.
Isabel. And she is absolutely resolved to receive me under the title of my brother?