Scene III.

The Way of the World

by William Congreve

[To them] MINCING.

MINCING
My lady would speak with Mrs. Foible, mem. Mr.
Mirabell is with her; he has set your spouse at liberty, Mrs. Foible,
and would have you hide yourself in my lady's closet till my old
lady's anger is abated. Oh, my old lady is in a perilous passion at
something Mr. Fainall has said; he swears, and my old lady cries.
There's a fearful hurricane, I vow. He says, mem, how that he'll
have my lady's fortune made over to him, or he'll be divorced.

MRS. FAINALL
Does your lady or Mirabell know that?

MINCING
Yes mem; they have sent me to see if Sir Wilfull be
sober, and to bring him to them. My lady is resolved to have him, I
think, rather than lose such a vast sum as six thousand pound. Oh,
come, Mrs. Foible, I hear my old lady.

MRS. FAINALL
Foible, you must tell Mincing that she must
prepare to vouch when I call her.

FOIBLE
Yes, yes, madam.

MINCING
Oh, yes mem, I'll vouch anything for your ladyship's
service, be what it will.