as I that bore him. Dick's a rogue, 'tis true; but

mum

Flip. What does the woman mean?

Am. Hark you, Mrs. Flippanta, is not here a young gentlewoman in your house that wants a husband?

Flip. Why do you ask?

Am. By way of conversation only, it does not concern me; but when she marries, I may chance to dance at the wedding. Remember, I tell you so; I, who am but Mrs. Amlet.

Flip. You dance at her wedding!-You!

Am. Yes, I, I ; but don't trouble madam about her necklace; perhaps it mayn't go out of the family.— Adieu, Mrs. Flippanta. [Exit.

Flip. What-what-what does the woman mean? "Mad! what a hodge-podge of a story's here ?"— The necklace lost-and her son Dick-and a fortune to marry—and she shall dance at the wedding-and

-She does not intend, I hope, to propose a match between her son Dick and Corinna? By my conscience I believe she does. An old beldam!

Enter BRASS.

Brass. Well, hussy, how stand our affairs? Has miss writ us an answer yet? My master's very impatient yonder.

Flip. And why the deuce does not he come himself? Why does he send such idle fellows as thee of his errands? Here I had her alone just now: he

won't have such an opportunity again this month, I can tell him that.

Brass. So much the worse for him; 'tis his business. But now, my dear, let thee and I talk a little of our own: I grow most damnably in love with thee; dost hear that?

Flip. Phu thou art always timing things wrong; my head is full, at present, of more important things than love.

Brass. Then it's full of important things indeed : dost want a privy-counsellor ?

Flip. I want an assistant.

Brass. To do what?

Flip. Mischief.

Brass. I'm thy man-touch.

Flip. But before I venture to let thee into my project, pr'ythee tell me whether thou findest a natural disposition to ruin a husband to oblige his wife? Brass. Is she handsome?

Flip. Yes.

Brass. Why then my disposition's at her service. Flip. She's beholden to thee.

Brass. Not she alone, neither-therefore don't let her grow vain upon't; for I have three or four affairs of that kind going at this time.

Flip. Well, go carry this epistle from miss to thy master; and when thou comest back, I'll tell thee thy business.

Brass. I'll know it before I go, if you please.
Flip. Thy master waits for an answer.

Brass. I'd rather he should wait than I.

Flip. Why then, in short, Araminta's husband is in love with my lady.

Brass. Very well, child, we have a Rowland for her Oliver thy lady's husband is in love with Araminta.

:

Flip. Who told you that, sirrah ?

Brass. 'Tis a negotiation I am charged with, pert. Did not I tell thee I did business for half the town? I have managed master Gripe's little affairs for him these ten years, you slut you.

Flip. Hark thee, Brass, the game's in our hands, if we can but play the cards.

Brass. Pique and repique, you jade you, if the wives will fall into a good intelligence.

Flip. Let them alone; I'll answer, for them they don't slip the occasion.-See, here they come. They little think what a piece of good news we have for them.

Enter CLARISSA and ARAMINTA.

Clar. Jessamin! Here, boy, carry up these things into my dressing-room, and break as many of them by the way as you can, be sure. -Oh, art thou

there, Brass! What news?

Brass. Madam, I only called in as I was going by.

-But some little propositions, Mrs. Flippanta has been starting, have kept me here to offer your ladyship my humble service.

Clar. What propositions?

2

Brass. She'll acquaint you, madam.

Ara. Is there any thing new, Flippanta ?

Flip. Yes, and pretty too.

Clar. That follows of course

quick.

-but let's have it

Flip. Why, madam, you have made a conquest.
Clar. Hussy- But of whom? Quick.

Flip. Of Mr. Moneytrap, that's all.

Ara. My husband ?

Flip. Yes, your husband, madam: you thought fit to corrupt ours, so now we are even with you.

Ara. Sure thou art in jest, Flippanta.

Flip. Sericus as my devotions.

Brass. And the cross intrigue, ladies, is what our

brains have been at work about.

Ara. My dear!

Clar. My life!

Ara. My angel!

[To Clarissa.

Clar. My soul !

[Hugging one another.

Ara. The stars have done this.

Clar. The pretty little twinklers.

Flip. And what will you do for them now? Clar. What grateful creatures ought; shew them we don't despise their favours.

Ara. But is not this a wager between these two blockheads?

Clar. I would not give a shilling to go the winner's halves.

Ara. Then 'tis the most fortunate thing that ever could have happened.

Clar. All your last night's ideas, Araminta, were trifles to it.

Ara. Brass, my dear, will be useful to us.
Brass. At your service, madam.

Clar. Flippanta will be necessary, my life.

Flip. She waits your commands, madam.

Ara. For my part, then, I recommend my husband to thee, Flippanta, and make it my earnest request thou won't leave him one half-crown.

Flip. I'll do all I can to obey you, madam.

Brass. [To Clar.] If your ladyship would give me the same kind orders for yours

Clar. Oh, if thou spar'st him, Brass, I'm thy enemy till I die.

Brass. 'Tis enough, madam; I'll be sure to give you a reasonable account of him. But how do you intend we shall proceed, ladies? Must we storm the purse at once, or break ground in form, and carry it by little and little?

Clar. Storm, dear Brass, storm; ever whilst you live, storm.

Ara. Oh, by all means.

panta?

-Must it not be so, Flip

Flip. In four-and-twenty hours, two Hundred pounds a-piece, that's my sentence.

Brass. Very well. But, ladies, you'll give me leave to put you in mind of some little expence in favours, 'twill be necessary you are at, to these honest gentlemen.

F.