ARAM. Yes, yes; I can see something near it when you and Bellmour meet. You don’t know that you dreamt of Bellmour last night, and called him aloud in your sleep.
BELIN. Pish, I can’t help dreaming of the devil sometimes; would you from thence infer I love him?
ARAM. But that’s not all; you caught me in your arms when you named him, and pressed me to your bosom. Sure, if I had not pinched you until you waked, you had stifled me with kisses.
ARAM. No aspersion, cousin, we are alone. Nay, I can tell you more.
BELIN. My denial is premeditated like your malice. Lard, cousin, you talk oddly. Whatever the matter is, O my Sol, I’m afraid you’ll follow evil courses.
BELIN. You think the malicious grin becomes you. The devil take Bellmour. Why do you tell me of him?
ARAM. Oh, is it come out? Now you are angry, I am sure you love him. I tell nobody else, cousin. I have not betrayed you yet.
BELIN. Prithee tell it all the world; it’s false.
BELIN. Prithee don’t be so impertinent. Betty!
BELIN. Get my hoods and tippet, and bid the footman call a chair.
ARAM. I hope you are not going out in dudgeon, cousin.
FOOT. No, madam, there are Mr. Bellmour and Mr. Vainlove to wait upon your ladyship.
FOOT. No, madam, they sent before, to know if you were at home.
BELIN. The visit’s to you, cousin; I suppose I am at my liberty.
[_To them_] BETTY, _with Hoods and Looking-glass_.
I can’t tell, cousin; I believe we are equally concerned. But if you continue your humour, it won’t be very entertaining. (I know she’d fain be persuaded to stay.) [_Aside_.]
BELIN. I shall oblige you, in leaving you to the full and free enjoyment of that conversation you admire.
BELIN. Let me see; hold the glass. Lard, I look wretchedly to-day!
ARAM. Betty, why don’t you help my cousin? [_Putting on her hoods_.]
BELIN. Hold off your fists, and see that he gets a chair with a high roof, or a very low seat. Stay, come back here, you Mrs. Fidget—you are so ready to go to the footman. Here, take ’em all again, my mind’s changed; I won’t go.
ARAM. So, this I expected. You won’t oblige me, then, cousin, and let me have all the company to myself?
BELIN. No; upon deliberation, I have too much charity to trust you to yourself. The devil watches all opportunities; and in this favourable disposition of your mind, heaven knows how far you may be tempted: I am tender of your reputation.