Act 1 Summary

Scene 1

Charlotte Welldon is disguised as a man so that she can make proper claim to property in Surinam, West Indies. In the company of others, Charlotte goes by the name, "Welldon." Lucy is complaining about Charlotte, her sister, persuading her to leave England just to look for a husband. Charlotte assures her that it will be easy to find a husband in America. Charlotte reminds Lucy that neither had any suitors in London so they were not leaving any opportunities behind. While Lucy claims the young men have forgotten them, Charlotte contends there were never any men interested in them. Lucy responds that they could be had for a scandalous price. Nonetheless, Charlotte reminds Lucy, they will still tire of the women and replace them with new faces. It is not fair - says Lucy - men get to be young as...