FAINALL. They are here yet.

MIRABELL. They are turning into the other Walk.

MRS. FAINALL. While I only hated my Husband, I could bear to see him; but since I have despis'd him, he's too offensive.

MIRABELL. O you should Hate with Prudence.

MRS. FAINALL. Yes, for I have Lov'd with Indiscretion.

MIRABELL. You shou'd have just so much disgust for your Husband, as may be sufficient to make you relish your Lover.

MRS. FAINALL. You have been the cause that I have lov'd without Bounds, and wou'd you set Limits to that Aversion, of which you have been the occasion? Why did you make me marry this Man?

MIRABELL. Why do we daily commit disagreeable and dangerous Actions? To save that Idol Reputation. If the familiarities of our Loves had produc'd that Consequence, of which you were apprehensive, where could you have fix'd a Father's Name with Credit, but on a Husband? I knew Fainall to be a Man lavish of his Morals, an interested and professing Friend, a false and a designing Lover; yet one whose Wit and outward fair Behaviour have gain'd a Reputation with the Town, enough to make that Woman stand excus'd, who has suffer'd herself to be won by his Addresses. A better Man ought not to have been sacrific'd to the Occasion; a worse had not answer'd to the Purpose. When you are weary of him, you know your Remedy.

MRS. FAINALL. I ought to stand in some degree of Credit with you, Mirabell.

MIRABELL. In Justice to you, I have made you privy to my whole Design, and put it in your Power to ruin or advance my Fortune.

MRS. FAINALL. Whom have you instructed to represent your pretended Uncle?

MIRABELL. Waitwell, my Servant.

MRS. FAINALL. He is an humble Servant to Foible my Mothers Woman; and may win her to your Interest.

MIRABELL. Care is taken for that –– She is won and worn by this time. They were married this morning.

MRS. FAINALL. Who?

MIRABELL. Waitwell and Foible. I wou'd not tempt my Servant to betray me by trusting him too far. If your Mother, in hopes to ruin me, shou'd consent to marry my pretended Uncle, he might like Mosca in the Fox, stand upon Terms; so I made him sure before-hand.

MRS. FAINALL.