L’Ec. Don’t say so, pray don’t, you wound my delicacy. O! Rosabelle! beautiful but misjudging Rosabelle! I am unfortunate, but not criminal. This morning I beheld only one Rosabelle, and yet I was undone; now I seem to behold two Rosabelles; ergo, I either see double, or am doubly undone. There’s logic for you. Now, could a man who wasn’t sober, talk logic? only answer me that.
Ros. What shall I do with him? If I leave him here, he’ll drink himself into a fever. I must e’en coax him. L’Eclair, come, come, my dear L’Eclair, let me prevail upon you to go to bed; I’m going to bed myself.
L’Ec. O! fy, that’s too broad; I blush for you; would you delude my innocence?
Ros. The profligate monster! I delude!
L’Ec. Well, I yield to fate: stars! veil your chaste heads, and thou. O! little candle, hide thy wick! behold the lamb submitting to the sacrifice. (Reels to embrace her.)
Ros. Why, you heathen monster! how dare you talk to me about lambs and sacrifices? ah! if you stir another step, I’ll alarm the family! I can scream, sir!
L’Ec. I know you can; but pray, don’t, somebody might hear you, and that would be very disappointing, recollect I have a character to lose.
Ros. And have not I a character too, Sir?
L’Ec. Hush! hush! Let’s drops the subject.
Ros. How now, sirrah! have you any thing to say against my character?