The Double-Dealer: A Comedy

[_To them_] LORD FROTH.

Lord Froth. The company are all ready. How now?

Brisk. Zoons! madam, there's my lord. [_Softly to her_.]

Lady Froth. Take no notice, but observe me. Now, cast off, and meet me at the lower end of the room, and then join hands again; I could teach my lord this dance purely, but I vow, Mr. Brisk, I can't tell how to come so near any other man. Oh here's my lord, now you shall see me do it with him. [_They pretend to practise part of a country dance_.]

Lord Froth. Oh, I see there's no harm yet, but I don't like this familiarity. [_Aside_.]

Lady Froth. Shall you and I do our close dance, to show Mr. Brisk?

Lord Froth. No, my dear, do it with him.

Lady Froth. I'll do it with him, my lord, when you are out of the way.

Brisk. That's good, egad, that's good. Deuce take me, I can hardly hold laughing in his face. [_Aside_.]

Lord Froth. Any other time, my dear, or we'll dance it below.

Lady Froth. With all my heart.

Brisk. Come, my lord, I'll wait on you. My charming witty angel! [_To her_.]

Lady Froth. We shall have whispering time enough, you know, since we are partners.