He had no sooner turned the
corner than Mrs. Woffington, looking out of the window, observed Sir
Charles Pomander on the watch, as she had expected. She remained at the
window with Mrs. Vane's hood on, until Sir Charles's eye in its
wanderings lighted on her, and then, dropping Mrs. Vane's letter from the
window, she hastily withdrew.
Sir Charles eagerly picked it up. His eye brightened when he read the
short contents. With a self-satisfied smile he mounted the stair. He
found in Triplet's house a lady who seemed startled at her late
hardihood. She sat with her back to the door, her hood drawn tightly
down, and wore an air of trembling consciousness. Sir Charles smiled
again. He knew the sex, at least he said so. (It is an assertion often
ventured upon.) Accordingly Sir Charles determined to come down from his
height, and court nature and innocence in their own tones. This he
rightly judged must be the proper course to take with Mrs. Vane. He fell
down with mock ardor upon one knee.
The supposed Mrs. Vane gave a little squeak.
"Dear Mrs. Vane," cried he, "be not alarmed; loveliness neglected, and
simplicity deceived, insure respect as well as adoration. Ah!" (A sigh.)
"Oh, get up, sir; do, please. Ah!" (A sigh.)
"You sigh, sweetest of human creatures. Ah! why did not a nature like
yours fall into hands that would have cherished it as it deserves? Had
Heaven bestowed on me this hand, which I take--"
"Oh, please, sir--"
"With the profoundest respect, would I have abandoned such a treasure for
an actress?--a Woffington! as artificial and hollow a jade as ever winked
at a side box!"
"Is she, sir?"
"Notorious, madam.
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