Lett. His father, madam, has been so long coming out of Suffolk—-There are strange tricks in the world, but 'tis not my place to speak.
Pen. However, his father, may come at last. I will not wholly lose him; as bad as he is, he's better than no husband at all. Stay in the room; I'll talk to you as if he were not present.
Enter Lovemore.
Love.[56] Ah! Penelope! inconstant, fickle Penelope!
Pen. But, Lettice, you don't tell me what the gentleman said. Now there's nobody here, you may speak.
Love. Now there's nobody here? Then I am a thing, a utensil! I am nobody, I have no essence that I am sensible of! I think 'twill be so soon!—This ingrate—this perjured!
Pen. Tell me, I say, how the match happened to break off?
Love. This is downright abuse! What! don't you see me, madam?
Lett. He had the folly, upon her being commonly civil to him, to talk of directing her affairs before his time. In the first place, he thought it but necessary her maid, her faithful servant, Mrs. Betty, should be removed.
Love. Her faithful servant, Mrs. Betty? Her betrayer, her whisperer, Mrs. Lettice! Madam, would you but hear me? I will be heard!