BERINTHIA.
Why, to do you justice, you have been extremely troublesome—and I confess I have been more civil to you than you deserved.
COLONEL TOWNLY.
Did I not come to this place at your express desire, and for no purpose but the honour of meeting you?—and after waiting a month in disappointment, have you condescended to explain, or in the slightest way apologise for, your conduct?
BERINTHIA.
O heavens! apologise for my conduct!—apologise to you! O you barbarian! But pray now, my good serious colonel, have you anything more to add?
COLONEL TOWNLY.
Nothing, madam, but that after such behaviour I am less surprised at what I saw just now; it is not very wonderful that the woman who can trifle with the delicate addresses of an honourable lover should be found coquetting with the husband of her friend.
BERINTHIA.
Very true: no more wonderful than it was for this honourable lover to divert himself in the absence of this coquette, with endeavouring to seduce his friend’s wife! O colonel, colonel, don’t talk of honour or your friend, for Heaven’s sake!
COLONEL TOWNLY.
[Aside.] ’Sdeath! how came she to suspect this!—[Aloud.] Really, madam, I don’t understand you.
BERINTHIA.
Nay, nay, you saw I did not pretend to misunderstand you.—But here comes the lady; perhaps you would be glad to be left with her for an explanation.
COLONEL TOWNLY.
O madam, this recrimination is a poor resource; and to convince you how much you are mistaken, I beg leave to decline the happiness you propose me.—Madam, your servant.
Enter AMANDA. COLONEL TOWNLY whispers AMANDA, and exit.
BERINTHIA.
[Aside.] He carries it off well, however; upon my word, very well! How tenderly they part!—[Aloud] So, cousin; I hope you have not been chiding your admirer for being with me? I assure you we have been talking of you.