_Ran._ Rather that he should love no body"s Body besides my own; but my fortune is too good to trust the Rogue, my Money makes me an Infidel.
_Chris._ You think they all love you for that.
_Ran._ For that, ay, what else? if it were not for that, I might sit still and sigh, and cry out, a Miracle! a Miracle! at sight of a Man within my Doors.
Enter _Maid_.
_Maid._ Madam, here"s a young Gentleman without wou"d speak with you.
_Sure._ With me? sure thou"rt mistaken; is it not _Friendly_?
_Maid._ No, Madam, "tis a Stranger.
_Ran._ "Tis not _Daring_, that Rogue, is it?
_Maid._ No, Madam.
_Ran._ Is he handsome? does he look like a Gentleman?
_Maid._ He"s handsome, and seems a Gentleman.
_Ran._ Bring him in then, I hate a Conversation without a Fellow,--hah,--a good handsome Lad indeed.
Enter _Hazard_ with a Letter.
_Sure._ With me, Sir, would you speak?
_Haz._ If you are Madam _Surelove_.
_Sure._ So I am call"d.
_Haz._ Madam, I am newly arriv"d from _England_, and from your Husband my Kinsman bring you this.-- [Gives a Letter.
_Ran._ Please you to sit, Sir.
_Haz._ She"s extremely handsome. [Aside--sits down.
_Ran._ Come, Sir, will you smoke a Pipe?
_Haz._ I never do, Madam.
_Ran._ Oh, fie upon"t, you must learn then, we all smoke here, "tis a part of good Breeding.--Well, well, what Cargo, what Goods have ye? any Points, Lace, rich Stuffs, Jewels; if you have, I"ll be your Chafferer, I live hard by, any body will direct you to the Widow _Ranter"s_.
_Haz._ I have already heard of you, Madam.
_Ran._ What, you are like all the young Fellows, the first thing they do when they come to a strange Place, is to enquire what Fortunes there are.
_Haz._ Madam, I had no such Ambition.
_Ran._ Gad, then you"re a Fool, Sir; but come, my service to you; we rich Widows are the best Commodity this Country affords, I"ll tell you that.
[This while _Sure._ reads the Letter.
_Sure._ Sir, my Husband has recommended you here in a most particular manner, by which I do not only find the esteem he has for you, but the desire he has of gaining you mine, which on a double score I render you, first for his sake, next for those Merits that appear in your self.
_Haz._ Madam, the endeavours of my Life shall be to express my Grat.i.tude for this great Bounty.
Enter _Maid_.
_Maid._ Madam, Mr. _Friendly"s_ here.
_Sure._ Bring him in.
_Haz._ _Friendly!_--I had a dear Friend of that name, who I hear is in these Parts.--Pray Heaven it may be he.
_Ran._ How now, _Charles_.
Enter _Friendly_.
_Friend._ Madam, your Servant--Hah! should not I know you for my dear friend _Hazard_.
[Embracing him.
_Haz._ Or you"re to blame, my _Friendly_.
_Friend._ Prithee what calm brought thee ash.o.r.e?
_Haz._ Fortune _de la guerre_, but prithee ask me no Questions in so good Company, where a Minute lost from this Conversation is a Misfortune not to be retriev"d.
_Friend._ Dost like her, Rogue-- [Softly aside.
_Haz._ Like her! have I sight, or sense?--Why, I adore her.
_Friend._ Mrs. _Chrisante_, I heard your Father would not be here to day, which made me s.n.a.t.c.h this opportunity of seeing you.
_Ran._ Come, come, a Pox of this whining Love, it spoils good Company.
_Friend._ You know, my dear Friend, these Opportunities come but seldom, and therefore I must make use of them.
_Ran._ Come, come, I"ll give you a better Opportunity at my House to morrow, we are to eat a Buffalo there, and I"ll secure the old Gentleman from coming.
_Friend._ Then I shall see _Chrisante_ once more before I go.
_Chris._ Go--Heavens--whither, my _Friendly_?
_Friend._ I have received a Commission to go against the _Indians_, _Bacon_ being sent for home.
_Ran._ But will he come when sent for?
_Friend._ If he refuse we are to endeavour to force him.