Scene II.

The Way of the World

by William Congreve

MRS. FAINALL, FOIBLE.

MRS. FAINALL
Poor Foible, what's the matter?

FOIBLE
O madam, my lady's gone for a constable; I shall be
had to a justice, and put to Bridewell to beat hemp. Poor Waitwell's
gone to prison already.

MRS. FAINALL
Have a good heart, Foible: Mirabell's gone to
give security for him. This is all Marwood's and my husband's
doing.

FOIBLE
Yes, yes; I know it, madam: she was in my lady's
closet, and overheard all that you said to me before dinner. She
sent the letter to my lady, and that missing effect, Mr. Fainall laid
this plot to arrest Waitwell, when he pretended to go for the papers;
and in the meantime Mrs. Marwood declared all to my lady.

MRS. FAINALL
Was there no mention made of me in the letter?
My mother does not suspect my being in the confederacy? I fancy
Marwood has not told her, though she has told my husband.

FOIBLE
Yes, madam; but my lady did not see that part. We
stifled the letter before she read so far. Has that mischievous
devil told Mr. Fainall of your ladyship then?

MRS. FAINALL
Ay, all's out: my affair with Mirabell,
everything discovered. This is the last day of our living together;
that's my comfort.

FOIBLE
Indeed, madam, and so 'tis a comfort, if you knew
all. He has been even with your ladyship; which I could have told
you long enough since, but I love to keep peace and quietness by my
good will. I had rather bring friends together than set 'em at
distance. But Mrs. Marwood and he are nearer related than ever their
parents thought for.

MRS. FAINALL
Say'st thou so, Foible? Canst thou prove
this?

FOIBLE
I can take my oath of it, madam; so can Mrs. Mincing.
We have had many a fair word from Madam Marwood to conceal something
that passed in our chamber one evening when you were at Hyde Park,
and we were thought to have gone a-walking. But we went up
unawares--though we were sworn to secrecy too: Madam Marwood took a
book and swore us upon it: but it was but a book of poems. So long
as it was not a bible oath, we may break it with a safe
conscience.

MRS. FAINALL
This discovery is the most opportune thing I
could wish. Now, Mincing?