VISC. Begin then at once, and see that no troublesome intruder comes
to disturb our pleasure.
(_The violins begin an overture._)
SCENE XXI.--THE COUNTESS, JULIA, THE VISCOUNT, THE COUNT, MR. HARPIN,
MR. THIBAUDIER, MR. BOBINET, CRIQUET.
HAR. By George! This is fine, and I rejoice to see what I see.
COUN. How! Mr. Receiver, what do you mean by this behaviour? Is it
right to come and interrupt a comedy in that fashion?
HAR. By Jove, Madam, I am delighted at this adventure, and it shows me
what I ought to think of you, and what I ought to believe of the
assurances you gave me of the gift of your heart, and likewise of all
your oaths of fidelity.
COUN. But, really, one should not come thus in the middle of a play
and disturb an actor who is speaking.
HAR. Hah! zounds, the real comedy here is the one you are playing, and
I care little if I disturb you.
COUN. Really, you do not know what you are saying.
HAR. Yes, d---- it, I know perfectly well; and....
MR. BOBINET, _frightened, takes up the_ COUNT, _and runs
away_; CRIQUET _follows him_.
COUN. Fie, Sir! How wrong it is to swear in that fashion!
HAR. Ah! 'sdeath! If there is anything bad here, it is not my
swearing, but your actions; and it would be much better for you to
swear by heaven and hell than to do what you do with the viscount.
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