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Mon. 'Tis so, indeed.

Flip. Ah-Well, I'll say nothing; but if she

had none of these things to fret her

Mon. Why, really, Flippanta

Flip. I know what you are going to say now; you are going to offer your service, but 'twon't do; you have a mind to play the gallant now, but it must not be; you want to be shewing your liberality, but 'twon't be allowed; you'll be pressing me to offer it, and she'll be in a rage. We shall have the devil to do.

Mon. You mistake me, Flippanta; I was only going to say

Flip. Ay, I know what you were going to say well enough; but I tell you it will never do so. If one could find out some way now-ay-let me

see

Mon. Indeed I hope

Flip. Pray, be quiet-No-but I'm thinking

hum-she'll smoke that, though

Let us consider

'Tis the nicest

-If one could find out a way to point in the world to bring about: she'll never touch it, if she knows from whence it comes.

Mon. Shall I try if I can reason her husband out of twenty pounds, to make her easy the rest of her life?

Flip. Twenty pounds, man! Why, you shall see her set that upon a card. Oh, she has a great soul ! Besides, if her husband should oblige her, it might, in time, take off her aversion to him, and, by conse

quence, her inclination to you. No, no; it must

never come that way.

Mon. What shall we do then?

Flip. Hold still I have it-I'll tell you what

you shall do.

Mon. Ay.

Flip. You shall make her a-restitution of two hundred pounds.

Mon. Hal-a restitution !

Flip. Yes, yes, 'tis the luckiest thought in the world. Madam often plays, you know; and folks who do so, meet now and then with sharpers. Now you shall be a sharper.

Mon. A sharper !

Flip. Ay, ay, a sharper; and having cheated her of two hundred pounds, shall be troubled in mind, and send it her back again. You comprehend me ? Mon. Yes-I, I comprehend; but-a-won't she suspect, if it be so much?

Flip. No, no; the more the better.
Mon. Two hundred pounds !

Flip. Yes, two hundred pounds-Or-let me see-so even a sum may look a little suspiciousay-let it be two hundred and thirty: that odd thirty will make it look so natural, the devil won't find it

out.

Mon. Ha!

Flip. Pounds, too, look I don't know how: guineas, I fancy, were better-Ay-guineas-it shall be guineas. You are of that mind, are you not?

Mon. Um-a guinea, you know, Flippanta, isFlip. A thousand times genteeler; you are certainly in the right on't; it shall be as you say-two hundred and thirty guineas.

Mon. Ho-Well, if it must be guineas - Let's see-two hundred guineas

Flip. And thirty; two hundred and thirty. If you mistake the sum, you spoil all. So go, put them in a purse, while it's fresh in your head, and send them to me with a penitential letter, desiring I'll do you the favour to restore them to her.

Mon. Two hundred and thirty pounds in a bag ! Flip. Guineas, I say, guineas.

Mon. Ay, guineas; that's true. But, Flippanta, if she don't know they come from me, then I give my money for nothing, you know.

Flip. Phu! leave that to me: I'll manage the stock for you; I'll make it produce something, I'll warrant you.

Mon. Well, Flippanta, 'tis a great sum indeed; but I'll go try what I can do for her. You say, twe hundred guineas in a purse ?

Flip. And thirty, if the man's in his senses.
Mon. And thirty, 'tis true; I always forget that

thirty.

[Exit.

Flip. So, get thee gone; thou art a rare fellow, i'faith. Brass-it's thee, is't not?

Enter BRASS.

Brass. It is, huswife. How go matters? I staid till thy gentleman was gone. Hast done any thing towards our common purse ?

Flip. I think I have; he's going to make us a restitution of two or three hundred pounds.

Brass. A restitution!-Good.

Flip. A new way, sirrah, to make a lady take a present without putting her to the blush.

Brass. 'Tis very well, mighty well indeed. Pr'ythee, where's thy master? Let me try if I can persuade him to be troubled in mind too.

Flip. Not so hasty; he's gone into his closet to prepare himself for a quarrel I have advised him to with his wife.

Brass. What to do?

Flip. Why to make her stay at home, now she has resolved to do it before hand. You must know, sirrah, we intend to make a merit of our basset-table, and get a good pretence for the merry companions we intend to fill his house with.

Brass. Very nicely spun, truly; thy husband will be a happy man.

Flip. Hold your tongue, you fool you-See, here comes your master.

Brass. He's welcome.

Enter DICк.

Dick. My dear Flippanta, how many thanks have

I to pay thee.

Flip. Do you like her stile ?

Dick. The kindest little rogue! there's nothing but

1

she gives me leave to hope. I am the happiest man the world has in its care.

Flip. Not so happy as you think for, neither, per-
haps; you have a rival, sir, I can tell you that.
Dick. A rival?

Flip. Yes, and a dangerous one too.
Dick. Who, in the name of terror?
Flip. A devilish fellow, one Mr. Amlet.
Dick. Amlet! I know no such man.

Flip. You know the man's mother, though; you met her here, and are in her favour, I can tell you. If he worst you in your mistress, you shall e'en marry her, and disinherit him.

Dick. If I have no other rival than Mr. Amlet, I believe I sha'n't be much disturbed in my amour.But cann't I see Corinna?

Flip. I don't know; she has always some of her masters with her. But I'll go and see if she can spare you a moment, and bring you word. [Exit.

Dick. I wish my old hobbling mother han't been blabbing something here she should not do.

Brass. Fear nothing; all's safe on that side yet.But how speaks young mistress's epistle? Soft and

tender?

Dick. As pen can write.

Brass. So you think all goes well there?

Dick. As my heart could wish.

Brass. You are sure on't?

Dick. Sure on't.

Brass. Why, then, ceremony aside.[Putting on

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