Scene I.

The Way of the World

by William Congreve

Scene Continues.

LADY WISHFORT and FOIBLE.

LADY WISHFORT
Is Sir Rowland coming, say'st thou, Foible?
And are things in order?

FOIBLE
Yes, madam. I have put wax-lights in the sconces,
and placed the footmen in a row in the hall, in their best liveries,
with the coachman and postillion to fill up the equipage.

LADY WISHFORT
Have you pulvilled the coachman and
postillion, that they may not stink of the stable when Sir Rowland
comes by?

FOIBLE
Yes, madam.

LADY WISHFORT
And are the dancers and the music ready, that
he may be entertained in all points with correspondence to his
passion?

FOIBLE
All is ready, madam.

LADY WISHFORT
And--well--and how do I look, Foible?

FOIBLE
Most killing well, madam.

LADY WISHFORT
Well, and how shall I receive him? In what
figure shall I give his heart the first impression? There is a great
deal in the first impression. Shall I sit? No, I won't sit, I'll
walk,--ay, I'll walk from the door upon his entrance, and then turn
full upon him. No, that will be too sudden. I'll lie,--ay, I'll lie
down. I'll receive him in my little dressing-room; there's a
couch--yes, yes, I'll give the first impression on a couch. I won't
lie neither, but loll and lean upon one elbow, with one foot a little
dangling off, jogging in a thoughtful way. Yes; and then as soon as
he appears, start, ay, start and be surprised, and rise to meet him
in a pretty disorder. Yes; oh, nothing is more alluring than a levee
from a couch in some confusion. It shows the foot to advantage, and
furnishes with blushes and re-composing airs beyond comparison.
Hark! There's a coach.

FOIBLE
'Tis he, madam.

LADY WISHFORT
Oh dear, has my nephew made his addresses to
Millamant? I ordered him.

FOIBLE
Sir Wilfull is set in to drinking, madam, in the
parlour.

LADY WISHFORT
Ods my life, I'll send him to her. Call her
down, Foible; bring her hither. I'll send him as I go. When they
are together, then come to me, Foible, that I may not be too long
alone with Sir Rowland.