The Widow's Vow - LightNovelsOnl.com
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_The Hall in the Castle._
_Enter_ FLORA.
Dear me, what a pretty footman she has brought with her!--he made me such a fine bow as I past--and looked so grand--here he is.
_Enter_ CARLOS _and bows--She courtesies_.
FLORA. O Lord, I hope this is not a woman too! but I dare say it is--Lord what a pity! but I'll talk to him, and I shall soon be able to find out--and if he does not fall in love with me, I'll conclude it can't be a man. [_aside._
CARLOS. A very pretty girl. (_aside._) Your humble servant, my dear angel.
FLORA. Too conceited for a man. (_aside._)
CARLOS. May I venture, on so slight an acquaintance to protest to you--
FLORA. No--he protests--'tis a man. [_aside._
CARLOS. Permit me to a.s.sure you--
FLORA. Sir!
CARLOS. What thus takes up your attention?
FLORA. A doubt I have.
CARLOS. Do you entertain any doubts of me?
FLORA. Yes--Indeed I do.
CARLOS. What are they?
FLORA. I have been trying to put this bunch of ribbons into a right form for my Lady's hair, and I hardly know how.
CARLOS. Let me try. (_She gives the ribbons._)
FLORA. Now shall I see by the dexterity, whether it is a woman or not.
[_aside._
CARLOS. There--I'll be hanged if I have not done it to a nicety.
(_Returns the ribbons._)
FLORA. 'Tis a woman, pshaw. (_Aside and sighing._)
CARLOS. Now I must beg a kiss for my pains. (_Kisses her._)
FLORA. No--it must be a man.
CARLOS. My charming--
FLORA. For Heaven's sake go about your business, for here comes a fellow-servant of mine.
CARLOS. I am going into the grove, will you come there presently?
FLORA. Yes--perhaps I may--only begone now.
CARLOS. But you'll come?
FLORA. Yes--I think I will.
CARLOS. I shall wait for you. [_Exit._
_Enter_ URSULA.
URSULA. So, Mrs. Flora, I give you joy of your new sweetheart--For shame, for shame, I saw what pa.s.sed.
FLORA. Lord bless you--it is only a woman.
URSULA. A woman!
FLORA. Aye, in men's clothes, like the master, and so there could be no harm you know.
URSULA. I did not know the servant was a woman too!
FLORA. Why, I am not sure of it--but I thought so when I let him kiss me, and I thought so when I promised to meet him in the grove--and I will e'en go--for I dare say 'tis only a woman.
URSULA. Aye, now I think of it again, I am sure it is not a man--Do you suppose a Lady in disguise, would take a man-servant to attend her?
FLORA. Very true; and I wish, Ursula, you would go instead of me to the grove, for I am so busy just at this time--
URSULA. And yet old Jerome says, and I never knew Jerome mistaken in my life, he says it is a man--however, _I_ am not afraid of him if it is, and I _will_ go instead of you.
FLORA. No, Ursula--I will go after all--for if it _should_ prove a man, and he should behave rude to you, oh! my dear Ursula, I should never be happy, that I did not take it all upon myself. [_Exeunt separately._
SCENE II.
_A Parlour in the Castle._
_The_ COUNTESS, _the_ MARQUIS, _and_ DON ANTONIO _discovered sitting_.
ANTONIO. And so, my Lord, you once thought of the army--Do you think you should stand your ground in a battle. (_Laughing to himself._)
MARQUIS. Sir! (_Surprized._)
ANTONIO. (_Aside._) d.a.m.n me but she has a good leg.
