Bal.  Let her remain awhile amongst us.

Fran.  The Devil a bit she shall, good Father mine, no, no, I have more years than you, Sir Father, and understand what Women are, especially when married to ancient Men, and have the Conversation of young Men—­whose Eyes like Basilisks destroy Modesty with looking on ’em; the very Thought on’t has rais’d a Bump in my Forehead already.

Bal.  I am sorry you should suspect my Daughter’s Virtue.

Fran.  May be you are, Sir—­but Youth you know—­ Opportunity—­Occasion—­or so—­there are Winks, and Nods, and Signs, and Twirs—­and—­well—­in short I am satisfied, and they that are not may go whistle:  and so I’ll to my Wife, whom I have left too long alone, evil thoughts will grow upon her—­Wife, Love—­Duckling—­
                                             [Calls her.

    Enter Julia and Jacinta.

Bal.  Wou’d I had never married her to this Sot.

Jul.  Your pleasure, Sir.

Fran.  Only to see thee, Love.

Jul.  I have a Suit to you.

Fran.  What is’t, my Chicken.

Jul.  I wou’d go make a Visit to my Aunt, my Sister Clara’s there, and I’ll go fetch her home.

Fran.  Hum—­perhaps the Governor’s there too?

Jul.  What if he be? we ought to make him a visit too, who so kindly sent for us to Cadiz.

Fran.  How!  Make a visit to the Governor?  What have I to do with the Governor, or what have you to do with the Governor? you are no Soldier, Love.  As for a Visit to your Aunt, there’s some reason in’t; but for the Governor, think no more upon him, I say no more.

Jul.  Since he’s to marry my Sister, why shou’d you refuse him that Civility.

Fran.  Your Sister, so much the worse.

Jul.  So much the worse?

Fran.  I, so much the worse, I tell you; for mark me, you have been Lovers lately; and old Stories may arise that are not yet forgotten; and having under the Cloke of a Husband both Sisters at command, one for a Wife, t’other for a Mistress, hoyte toyte, there will be mad work, i’faith; What a mixture of Brother by the Father’s side, and Uncle by the Mother’s side there will be; Aunt by the Mother’s side, and Sister by the Father’s side; a man may find as good kindred amongst a kennel of Beagles.—­No, no, no Visits to the Governor, I beseech you, fair Madam.

Bal.  So, you are at your Jealousy again.

Fran.  Come, come, I love plain dealing; besides, when she named the Governor, Flesh and Blood could not contain.

Jul.  I spoke in reference to his Quality.

Fran.  A Pox of your Civility; I tell you, I scorn my Wife should be civil.  Why, what a Coil’s here about a Governor!  I’ll stand to’t, a Man had better have a Mule to his Wife than a Woman, and ’twere easier govern’d.