"Cler. You know that you once paid your addresses to my sister. My uncle disliked you; but I have reason to think you were not indifferent to her.
"Sir B. I believe you are pretty right there; but what follows?
"Cler. Then I think I have a right to expect an implicit answer from you, whether you are in any respect privy to her elopement?
"Sir B. Why, you certainly have a right to ask the question, and I will answer you as sincerely—which is, that though I make no doubt but that she would have gone with me to the world's end, I am at present entirely ignorant of the whole affair. This I declare to you upon my honor—and, what is more, I assure you my devotions are at present paid to another lady—one of your acquaintance, too.
"Cler. (Aside.) Now, who can this other be whom he alludes to?—I have sometimes thought I perceived a kind of mystery between him and Maria—but I rely on her promise, though, of late, her conduct to me has been strangely reserved.
"Lady S. Why, Clerimont, you seem quite thoughtful. Come with us; we are going to kill an hour at ombre—your mistress will join us.
"Cler. Madam, I attend you.
"Lady S. (Taking Sir B. aside.) Sir Benjamin, I see Maria is now coming to join us—do you detain her awhile, and I will contrive that Clerimont should see you, and then drop this letter.
"[Exeunt all but Sir. B.]
"Enter MARIA.