[Sir Cautious peeps into the Bed-chamber.

L. Ful. [Within.] Come, Sir Cautious, I shall fall asleep, and then you’ll waken me.

Sir Cau.  Ay, my Dear, I’m coming—­she’s in Bed—­I’ll go put out the Candle, and then—­

Gay.  Ay, I’ll warrant you for my part—­

Sir Cau.  Ay, but you may over-act your part, and spoil all—­But, Sir,
I hope you’ll use a Christian Conscience in this business.

Gay.  Oh, doubt not, Sir, but I shall do you Reason.

Sir Cau.  Ay, Sir, but—­

Gay.  Good Sir, no more Cautions; you, unlike a fair Gamester, will rook me out of half my Night—­I am impatient—­

Sir Cau.  Good Lord, are you so hasty? if I please, you shan’t go at all.

Gay.  With all my soul, Sir; pay me three hundred Pound, Sir—­

Sir Cau.  Lord, Sir, you mistake my candid meaning still.  I am content to be a Cuckold, Sir—­but I wou’d have things done decently, d’ye mind me?

Gay.  As decently as a Cuckold can be made, Sir.—­But no more disputes, I pray, Sir.

Sir Cau.  I’m gone—­I’m gone—­but harkye, Sir, you’ll rise before day?
                                                 [Going out, returns.

Gay.  Yet again—­

Sir Cau.  I vanish, Sir—­but harkye—­you’ll not speak a word, but let her think ’tis I?

Gay.  Be gone, I say, Sir—­ [He runs out.  I am convinc’d last night I was with Julia.  Oh Sot, insensible and dull!

Enter softly Sir Cautious.

Sir Cau.  So, the Candle’s out—­give me your hand.

[Leads him softly in.

SCENE V. Changes to a Bed-chamber.

Lady Fulbank suppos’d in Bed.  Enter Sir Cautious
and Gayman by dark.

Sir Cau.  Where are you, my Dear? [Leads him to the bed.

L. Ful.  Where shou’d I be—­in Bed; what, are you by dark?

Sir Cau.  Ay, the Candle went out by Chance.

    [Gayman signs to him to be gone; he makes grimaces
    as loath to go, and Exit.

SCENE VI. Draws over, and represents another Room in the same House.

    Enter Parson, Diana, and Pert drest in Diana’s Clothes.

Dia.  I’ll swear, Mrs. Pert, you look very prettily in my Clothes; and since you, Sir, have convinc’d me that this innocent Deceit is not unlawful, I am glad to be the Instrument of advancing Mrs. Pert to a Husband, she already has so just a Claim to.

Par.  Since she has so firm a Contract, I pronounce it a lawful Marriage—­but hark, they are coming sure—­

Dia.  Pull your Hoods down, and keep your Face from the Light.
                                                     [Diana runs out.