The Way of the World

Lady Wishfort rails at Foible because Mrs. Marwood revealed Mirabell’s plot to deceive Lady Wishfort. Lady Wishfort leaves, and Mrs. Fainall, Mincing, and Foible discuss how their plot came undone. Foible reveals Fainall’s affair with Marwood, and Mrs. Fainall tells Foible and Mincing they will need to testify to Lady Wishfort. Foible and Mincing leave, and Lady Wishfort and Marwood enter. Lady Wishfort thanks Marwood for her help, but Mrs. Fainall accuses Marwood of having an affair with Fainall before leaving. Lady Wishfort wonders if Mrs. Fainall is telling the truth, and she thinks Fainall should have to prove his wife had an affair with Mirabell. Marwood convinces her that the scandal of such a trial would ruin Lady Wishfort’s reputation, and Lady Wishfort says she will pay whatever necessary to keep Fainall quiet. Fainall enters and demands that Lady Wishfort never remarry, sign over Mrs. Fainall’s money to him, and sign over Millamant’s fortune, as well. Lady Wishfort asks to think it over, and Fainall leaves. Millamant and Wilfull enter, and they tell Lady Wishfort they are engaged. Wilfull plans to travel with Millamant and Mirabell, and Millamant promises Lady Wishfort will never be hurt by Mirabell again.