Scene XI.

The Way of the World

by William Congreve

MRS. MILLAMANT, MRS. MARWOOD.

MILLAMANT
The town has found it? What has it found? That
Mirabell loves me is no more a secret than it is a secret that you
discovered it to my aunt, or than the reason why you discovered it is
a secret.

MRS. MARWOOD
You are nettled.

MILLAMANT
You're mistaken. Ridiculous!

MRS. MARWOOD
Indeed, my dear, you'll tear another fan, if
you don't mitigate those violent airs.

MILLAMANT
O silly! Ha, ha, ha! I could laugh immoderately.
Poor Mirabell! His constancy to me has quite destroyed his
complaisance for all the world beside. I swear I never enjoined it
him to be so coy. If I had the vanity to think he would obey me, I
would command him to show more gallantry: 'tis hardly well-bred to
be so particular on one hand and so insensible on the other. But I
despair to prevail, and so let him follow his own way. Ha, ha, ha!
Pardon me, dear creature, I must laugh; ha, ha, ha! Though I grant
you 'tis a little barbarous; ha, ha, ha!

MRS. MARWOOD
What pity 'tis so much fine raillery, and
delivered with so significant gesture, should be so unhappily
directed to miscarry.

MILLAMANT
Heh? Dear creature, I ask your pardon. I swear I
did not mind you.

MRS. MARWOOD
Mr. Mirabell and you both may think it a thing
impossible, when I shall tell him by telling you -

MILLAMANT
Oh dear, what? For it is the same thing, if I
hear it. Ha, ha, ha!

MRS. MARWOOD
That I detest him, hate him, madam.

MILLAMANT
O madam, why, so do I And yet the creature loves
me, ha, ha, ha! How can one forbear laughing to think of it? I am a
sibyl if I am not amazed to think what he can see in me. I'll take
my death, I think you are handsomer, and within a year or two as
young. If you could but stay for me, I should overtake you--but that
cannot be. Well, that thought makes me melancholic.--Now I'll be
sad.

MRS. MARWOOD
Your merry note may be changed sooner than you
think.

MILLAMANT
D'ye say so? Then I'm resolved I'll have a song
to keep up my spirits.