The Way of the World by William Congreve

Author:William Congreve [Congreve, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: English drama (Comedy)
Publisher: Standard Ebooks
Published: 2020-08-27T16:51:39+00:00

Exeunt.

Act IV

Scene I

A room in Lady Wishfort’s house.

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—aye, I’ll walk from the door upon his entrance, and then turn full upon him—no, that will be too sudden. I’ll lie—aye, 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, aye, 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.

Exit.

Enter Mrs. Millamant and Mrs. Fainall.

Foible Madam, I stayed here to tell your ladyship that Mr. Mirabell has waited this half hour for an opportunity to talk with you; though my lady’s orders were to leave you and Sir Wilfull together. Shall I tell Mr. Mirabell that you are at leisure?

Mrs. Millamant No—what would the dear man have? I am thoughtful and would amuse myself—bid him come another time.

There never yet was woman made,

Nor shall, but to be cursed.

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