The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 28

Enter _Florinda_, running masqu'd, _Pedro_ after her, _Will._ gazing round her.

_Flor._ Good Heaven, defend me from discovery. [Aside.

_Pedro._ 'Tis but in vain to fly me, you are fallen to my Lot.

_Belv._ Sure she is undiscover'd yet, but now I fear there is no way to bring her off.

_Will._ Why, what a Pox is not this my Woman, the same I follow'd but now?

[_Ped._ talking to _Florinda_, who walks up and down.

_Ped._ As if I did not know ye, and your Business here.

_Flor._ Good Heaven! I fear he does indeed-- [Aside.

_Ped._ Come, pray be kind, I know you meant to be so when you enter'd here, for these are proper Gentlemen.

_Will._ But, Sir-- perhaps the Lady will not be impos'd upon, she'll chuse her Man.

_Ped._ I am better bred, than not to leave her Choice free.

Enter _Valeria_, and is surprized at the Sight of Don _Pedro_.

_Val._ Don _Pedro_ here! there's no avoiding him. [Aside.

_Flor._ _Valeria_! then I'm undone-- [Aside.

_Val._ Oh! have I found you, Sir-- [To _Pedro_, running to him.] --The strangest Accident-- if I had breath-- to tell it.

_Ped._ Speak-- is _Florinda_ safe? _h.e.l.lena_ well?

_Val._ Ay, ay, Sir-- _Florinda_-- is safe-- from any fears of you.

_Ped._ Why, where's _Florinda_?-- speak.

_Val._ Ay, where indeed, Sir? I wish I could inform you,-- But to hold you no longer in doubt--

_Flor._ Oh, what will she say! [Aside.

_Val._ She's fled away in the Habit of one of her Pages, Sir-- but _Callis_ thinks you may retrieve her yet, if you make haste away; she'll tell you, Sir, the rest-- if you can find her out.

[Aside.

_Ped._ Dishonourable Girl, she has undone my Aim-- Sir-- you see my necessity of leaving you, and I hope you'll pardon it: my Sister, I know, will make her flight to you; and if she do, I shall expect she should be render'd back.

_Belv._ I shall consult my Love and Honour, Sir. [Ex. _Ped._

_Flor._ My dear Preserver, let me imbrace thee. [To _Val._

_Will._ What the Devil's all this?

_Blunt._ Mystery by this Light.

_Val._ Come, come, make haste and get your selves married quickly, for your Brother will return again.

_Belv._ I am so surpriz'd with Fears and Joys, so amaz'd to find you here in safety, I can scarce persuade my Heart into a Faith of what I see--

_Will._ Harkye, Colonel, is this that Mistress who has cost you so many Sighs, and me so many Quarrels with you?

_Belv._ It is-- Pray give him the Honour of your Hand. [To _Flor._

_Will._ Thus it must be receiv'd then. [Kneels and kisses her Hand.] And with it give your Pardon too.

_Flor._ The Friend to _Belvile_ may command me anything.

_Will._ Death, wou'd I might, 'tis a surprizing Beauty. [Aside.

_Belv._ Boy, run and fetch a Father instantly. [Ex. _Boy_.

_Fred._ So, now do I stand like a Dog, and have not a Syllable to plead my own Cause with: by this Hand, Madam, I was never thorowly confounded before, nor shall I ever more dare look up with Confidence, till you are pleased to pardon me.

_Flor._ Sir, I'll be reconcil'd to you on one Condition, that you'll follow the Example of your Friend, in marrying a Maid that does not hate you, and whose Fortune (I believe) will not be unwelcome to you.

_Fred._ Madam, had I no Inclinations that way, I shou'd obey your kind Commands.

_Belv._ Who, _Fred._ marry; he has so few Inclinations for Womankind, that had he been possest of Paradise, he might have continu'd there to this Day, if no Crime but Love cou'd have disinherited him.

_Fred._ Oh, I do not use to boast of my Intrigues.

_Belv._ Boast! why thou do'st nothing but boast; and I dare swear, wer't thou as innocent from the Sin of the Grape, as thou art from the Apple, thou might'st yet claim that right in _Eden_ which our first Parents lost by too much loving.

_Fred._ I wish this Lady would think me so modest a Man.

_Val._ She shou'd be sorry then, and not like you half so well, and I shou'd be loth to break my Word with you; which was, That if your Friend and mine are agreed, it shou'd be a Match between you and I.

[She gives him her Hand.

_Fred._ Bear witness, Colonel, 'tis a Bargain. [Kisses her Hand.

_Blunt._ I have a Pardon to beg too; but adsheartlikins I am so out of Countenance, that I am a Dog if I can say any thing to purpose.

[To _Florinda_.

_Flor._ Sir, I heartily forgive you all.

_Blunt._ That's n.o.bly said, sweet Lady-- _Belvile_, prithee present her her Ring again, for I find I have not Courage to approach her my self.

[Gives him the Ring, he gives it to _Florinda_.

Enter _Boy_.

_Boy._ Sir, I have brought the Father that you sent for.