VAL. There, now it's out.
ANG. I don't understand you now. I thought you had never asked
anything but what a lady might modestly grant, and you confess.
SCAN. So faith, your business is done here; now you may go brag
somewhere else.
TATT. Brag! O heavens! Why, did I name anybody?
ANG. No; I suppose that is not in your power; but you would if you
could, no doubt on't.
TATT. Not in my power, madam! What, does your ladyship mean that I
have no woman's reputation in my power?
SCAN. 'Oons, why, you won't own it, will you? [Aside.]
TATT. Faith, madam, you're in the right; no more I have, as I hope
to be saved; I never had it in my power to say anything to a lady's
prejudice in my life. For as I was telling you, madam, I have been
the most unsuccessful creature living, in things of that nature; and
never had the good fortune to be trusted once with a lady's secret,
not once.
ANG. No?
VAL. Not once, I dare answer for him.
SCAN. And I'll answer for him; for I'm sure if he had, he would
have told me; I find, madam, you don't know Mr Tattle.
TATT. No indeed, madam, you don't know me at all, I find. For sure
my intimate friends would have known -
ANG. Then it seems you would have told, if you had been trusted.
TATT. O pox, Scandal, that was too far put. Never have told
particulars, madam. Perhaps I might have talked as of a third
person; or have introduced an amour of my own, in conversation, by
way of novel; but never have explained particulars.
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