SCENE X.

Bellmour, Belinda, Araminta, and Vainlove.

VAIN. Oh, ’twas frenzy all: cannot you forgive it? Men in madness have a title to your pity. [To Araminta.]

ARAM. Which they forfeit, when they are restored to their senses.

VAIN. I am not presuming beyond a pardon.

ARAM. You who could reproach me with one counterfeit, how insolent would a real pardon make you! But there’s no need to forgive what is not worth my anger.

BELIN. O’ my conscience, I could find in my heart to marry thee, purely to be rid of thee—at least thou art so troublesome a lover, there’s hopes thou’lt make a more than ordinary quiet husband. [To Bellmour.]

BELL. Say you so? Is that a maxim among ye?

BELIN. Yes: you fluttering men of the mode have made marriage a mere French dish.

BELL. I hope there’s no French sauce. [Aside.]