Page images
PDF
EPUB

95

*

ACT V. SCENE 1.

GRIPE'S House. Enter BRASS and FLIPPANTA.

Brass.

WELL, you agree I'm in the right, don't you?

Flip. I don't know: if your master has the estate he talks of, why not do it all above-board? Well, though I am not much of his mind, I'm much in his interest, and will therefore endeavour to serve him in his own way.

Brass. That's kindly said, my child, and I believe I shall reward thee, one of these days, with as pretty a fellow to thy husband for't, as

Flip. Hold your prating, Jack-a-dandy, and leave me to my business.

Brass. I obey-adieu-[Kisses her.]

Flip. Rascal!

Enter CORINNA.

[Exit.

Cor. Ah, Flippanta 1. I'm ready to sink down; my

legs tremble under me, my dear Flippy.

Flip. And what's the affair ?

Cor. My father's there within, with my mother

and Araminta; I never saw him in so good a humour

in my life.

Cor. Ah, Flippantal they are just going to speak

Flip. And is that it that frightens you so ?

to him about my marrying the colonel.

1

Flip. Are they so? So much the worse: they're too hasty.

Cor. Oh, no, not a bit ; I slipped out on purpose, you must know, to give them an opportunity; would 'twere done already!

Flip. I tell you, no: get you in again immediately, and prevent it.

Cor. My dear, dear, I am not able; I never was in such a way before.

Flip. Never in a way to be married before, ha? Is not that it ?

Cor. Ah, lord! if I am thus before I come to't, Flippanta, what shall I be upon the very spot? Do but feel with what a thumpaty thump it goes.

[Putting her hand to her heart. Flip. Nay, it does make a filthy bustle, that's the truth on't, child. But I believe I shall make it leap another way, when I tell you, I'm cruelly afraid your father won't consent, after all.

Cor. Why, he won't be the death of me, will he Flip. I don't know; old folks are cruel; but we'll have a trick for him. Brass and I have been consulting upon the matter, and agreed upon a surer way of doing it, in spite of his teeth.

Cor. Ay, marry, sir, that were something.

Flip. But then he must not know a word of any thing towards it.

Cor. No, no.

Flip. So, get you in immediately

Cor. One, two, three, and away. [Running off.

Flip. And prevent your mother's speaking on't.
Cor. But is t'other way sure, Flippanta?

Flip. Fear nothing, 'twill only depend upon you. Cor. Nay then-Oh, ho, ho, ho, how pure that

is t

[Exit Corinna.

Flip. [Sola.] Poor child! we may do what we will with her, as far as marrying her goes: when that's over, 'tis possible she may not prove altogether so tractable. But who's here? My sharper, I think. Yes.

Enter MONEYTRAP.

Mon. Well, my best friend, how go matters? Has the restitution been received, ha? Was she pleased

with it ?

Flip. Yes, truly; that is, she was pleased to see there was so honest a man in this immoral age.

Mon. Well, but a-does she know that 'twas I that

Flip. Why, you must know I begun to give her a little sort of a hint, and-and so-why, and so she begun to put on a sort of a severe, haughty, reserved, angry, forgiving air. But, soft; here she comes: you'll see how you stand with her presently: but don't be afraid. Courage.

Mon. He, hem.

Enter CLARISSA.

'Tis no small piece of good fortune, madam, to find you at home: I have often endeavoured it in vain.

Clar. 'Twas then unknown to me; for, if I could often receive the visits of so good a friend at home, I should be more reasonably blamed for being so much abroad.

Mon. Madam, you make me

Clar. You are the man of the world whose company I think is most to be desired. I don't compliment you when I tell you so, I assure you.

Mon. Alas, madam! your poor humble servantClar. My poor humble servant, however (with all the esteem I have for him), stands suspected with me for a vile trick I doubt he has played me-which if I could prove upon him, I'm afraid I should punish him very severely.

Mon. I hope, madam, you'll believe I'm not capable of

"Clar. Look you, look you, you are capable of "whatever you please; you have a great deal of wit, "and know how to give a nice and gallant turn to "every thing: but if you will have me continue "your friend, you must leave me in some uncer"tainty in this matter.

"Mon. I do then protest to you, madam, that "Clar. Come, protest nothing about it, I am but "too penetrating, as you may perceive; but we "sometimes shut our eyes rather than break with " our friends; for a thorough knowledge of the truth "of this business would make me very seriously

"angry.

"Mon. 'Tis very certain, madam, that

"Clar. Come, say no more on't, I beseech you, " for I am in a good deal of heat while I but think "on't: if you'll walk in, I will follow you presently. "Mon. Your goodness, madam, is" Flip. No fine speeches, you'll spoil all. Mon. Thou art a most incomparable person.

Flip. Nay, it goes rarely; but get you in, and I'll say a little something to my lady for you, while she's

warm.

Mon But, s't, Flippanta, how long dost think she may hold out ?

Flip. Phu, not a twelvemonth.

Mon. Boo.

Flip. Away, I say.

[Pushing him out.

Clar. Is he gone? What a wretch it is! He never

was quite such a beast before.

Flip. Poor mortal | his money's finely laid out, truly.

Clar. I suppose there may have been much such another scene within, between Araminta and my dear: but I left him so insupportably brisk, 'tis impossible he can have parted with any money: I'm afraid Brass has not succeeded as thou hast done, Flippanta.

Flip. By my faith but he has, and better too; he presents his humble duty to Araminta, and has sent her-this. [Shewing the note.

Clar. A bill from my love for two hundred and fifty pounds. The monster! he would not part with ten, to save his lawful wife from everlasting torment.

« PreviousContinue »