flatter'd, that's pos! my Lady's cast suits will serve her, after I have given them the wearing. Besides, when I am worth a thousand pound, I shall certainly carry off the Steward-Madam Vellum!-how prettily that will found! Here, bring out Madam Vellum's chaise-nay, I do not know but it may be a chariot-It will break the Attorney's wife's heart-for I shall take place of every body in the parish but my Lady. If I have a fon, he shall be call'd Fantome. But see, Mr. Vellum, as I could wish. I know his humour, and will do my utmost to gain his heart.

Enter VELLUM with a pint of fack.

VELLUM.

Mrs. Abigal, don't I break in upon you unseasonably?

ABIGA L.

Oh, no, Mr.Vellum, your visits are always seasonable.

VELLUM.

1

1

I have brought with me a taste of fresh canary, which

I think is delicious.

ABIGA L.

Pray fet it down-I have a dram-glass just by

[Brings in a rummer.

I'll pledge you; my Lady's good health.

VELLUM.

And your own with it-sweet Mrs. Abigal.

ABIGAL.

Pray, good Mr. Vellum, buy me a little parcel of this sack, and put it under the article of tea-I would not have my name appear to it.

ABIGAL

Mrs. Abigal, your name seldom appears in my bills and yet if you will allow me a merry expression--you have been always in my books, Mrs. Abigal. Ha,

ha, ha!

ABIGA L.

Ha, ha, ha! Mr. Vellum, you are such a dry jesting

man!

VELLUM.

Why truly, Mrs. Abigal, have been looking over my papers--and I find you have been a long time my debtor.

ABIGAL.

Your debtor, for what, Mr. Vellum?
VELLUM.

For my heart, Mrs. Abigal-and our accounts will not be balanc'd between us, till I have yours in exchange for it. Ha, ha, ha!

ABIGA L.

Ha, ha, ha! you are the most gallant dun, Mr. Vellum.

VELLUM.

But I am not us'd to be paid by words only, Mrs. Abigal; when will you be out of my debt?

ABIGA L.

Oh, Mr. Vellum, you make one blush-my humble service to you.

VELLU M..

!

I must answer you, Mrs. Abigal, in the country phrase

-Your love is fufficient. Ha, ha, ha!

ABIGA L.

Ha, ha, ha! Well, I must own I love a merry man!

VELLUM.

Let me fee, how long is it, Mrs. Abigal, since I first broke my mind to you-It was, I think, Undecimo Gulielmi, -we have convers'd together these fifteen years--and yet, Mrs. Abigal, I must drink to our better acquaintance. He, he, he-Mrs. Abigal, you know I am naturally jocofe.

ABIGAL.

Ah, you men love to make sport with us filly creatures.

VELLUM.

Mrs. Abigal, I have a trifle about me, which I would willingly make you a present of. It is indeed but a little toy.

ABIGA L.

You are always exceedingly obliging.
VELLUM.

It is but a little toy-scarce worth your acceptance
ABIGAL.

Pray do not keep me in suspence; what is it, Mr.

Vellum ?

A filver thimble.

VELLUM.

ABIGAL.

I always faid, Mr. Vellum was a generous lover.

VELLUM.

But I must put it on myself, Mrs. Abigal-you have the prettiest tip of a finger-I must take the freedom to salute it.

ABIGAL.

Oh fy! you make me asham'd, Mr. Vellum; how can you do so? I protest I am in such a confufion

: VELLUM.

[A feign'd struggle.

This finger is not the finger of idleness; it bears the honourable scars of the needle but why are you fo cruel as not to pare your nails ?

ABIGA L.

Oh, I vow you press it so hard! pray give me my finger again.

VELLUM.

1

This middle finger, Mrs. Abigal, has a pretty neighbour-a wedding ring would become it mightilyHe, he, he!

ABIGAL.

You're so full of your jokes. Ay, but where must I

VELLUM.

I design this thimble only as the forerunner of it, they will fet off each other, and are indeed a twofold emblem. in mind of being a good huswife, and the other of being a good wife. Ha, ha, ha!

The first will put you

ABIGA L.

Yes, yes, I see you laugh at me.

VELLUM.

Indeed I am ferious.

ABIGAL,

I thought you had forsaken me I am fure you cannot forget the many repeated vows and promises you formerly made me.

VELLUM.

I should as foon forget the multiplication table.

ABIGAL.

Phave always taken your part before my Lady.

VELLUM.

You have so, and I have Item'd it in my memory.

ABIGA L.

For I have always look'd upon your interests as my

own.

VELLUM.

It is nothing but your cruelty can hinder them from being fo.

ABIGAL.

I must strike while the iron's hot. [Afide]-Well, Mrs. Vellum, there is no refusing you, you have such a bewitching tongue !

How? speak that again!

VELLU M.

ABIGAL.

Why then in plain English I love you.

VELLUM.

Pin overjoy'd!

Thou sum total of all my happiness! I shall grow extravagant! I can't forbear! to drink thy virtuous inclinations in a bumper of sack. Your Lady must make hafte, my duck, or we shall provide a young steward to the estate, before she has an heir to it-Prythee my dear, does she intend to marry Mr. Tinfel?

ABIGA L.

Marry him! my love, no, no! we must take care of that! there would be no staying in the house for us if she did. That young rake-hell would send all the old servants a grazing. You and I should be discarded before the honey-moon was at an end.

VELLUM.

:

Pr'ythee, sweet one, does not this drum put the

thoughts of marriage out of her head?

ABIGA L.

This drum, my dear, if it be well manag'd, will be

no less than a thousand pound in our way.

VELLUM.

Ay, say'st thou so, my Turtle ?

ABIGAL.

Since we are now as good as man and wife mean, almost as good as man and wife-I ought to conceal nothing from you.

Certainly, my dove, not from thy yoke-fellow, thy

help-mate, thy own flesh and blood?

ABIGAL.

Hush! I hear Mr. Tinsel's laugh, my Lady and he are