ACT THE THIRD.
SCENE I.—Mrs. Clerimont's Room.
Enter Mrs. Clerimont, Fainlove (carrying her lap-dog), and Jenny.
Jen. Madam, the footman that's recommended to you is below, if your ladyship will please to take him.
Mrs. Cler. O fie; don't believe I'll think on't. It is impossible he should be good for anything—The English are so saucy with their liberty—I'll have all my lower servants French. There cannot be a good footman born out of an absolute monarchy.
Jen. I am beholden to your ladyship for believing so well of the maidservants in England.
Mrs. Cler. Indeed, Jenny, I could wish thou wert really French; for thou art plain English in spite of example. Your arms do but hang on, and you move perfectly upon joints; not with a swim of the whole person—But I am talking to you, and have not adjusted myself to-day: What pretty company a glass is, to have another self! [Kisses the dog.] To converse in soliloquy! To have company that never contradicts or displeases us! The pretty visible echo of our actions! [Kisses the dog.] How easy, too, it is to be disencumbered with stays, where a woman has anything like shape; if no shape, a good air—But I look best when I'm talking. [Kisses the lap-dog in Fainlove's arms.
Jen. You always look well.
Mrs. Cler. For I'm always talking, you mean so; that disquiets thy sullen English temper; but I don't really look so well when I am silent. If I do but offer to speak, then I may say that—Oh, bless me, Jenny, I am so pale, I am afraid of myself—I have not laid on half red enough—What a dough-baked thing was I before I improved myself, and travelled for beauty! However, my face is very prettily designed to-day.