SURFACE. To be plain with you Brother He thinks you are endeavouring to gain Lady Teazle's Affections from him.
CHARLES. Who I—O Lud! not I upon my word.—Ha! ha! ha! so the old Fellow has found out that He has got a young wife has He? or what's worse she has discover'd that she has an old Husband?
SURFACE. This is no subject to jest on Brother—He who can laugh——
CHARLES. True true as you were going to say—then seriously I never had the least idea of what you charge me with, upon my honour.
SURFACE. Well it will give Sir Peter great satisfaction to hear this.
CHARLES. [Aloud.] To be sure, I once thought the lady seemed to have taken a fancy—but upon my soul I never gave her the least encouragement.—Beside you know my Attachment to Maria—
SURFACE. But sure Brother even if Lady Teazle had betray'd the fondest Partiality for you——
CHARLES. Why—look'ee Joseph—I hope I shall never deliberately do a dishonourable Action—but if a pretty woman was purposely to throw herself in my way—and that pretty woman married to a man old enough to be her Father——
SURFACE. Well?
CHARLES. Why I believe I should be obliged to borrow a little of your Morality, that's all.—but, Brother do you know now that you surprize me exceedingly by naming me with Lady Teazle—for faith I always understood YOU were her Favourite—