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

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's Fantome. But fee, 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 unfeasonably?

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

V E L L U M.
I have brought with me a taste of fresh canary, which
I think is delicious.

A BIG A L.
Pray set it down--I have a dram-glass juft by—

[Brings in a rummer. I'll pledge you ; my Lady's good health.

V E L L U M..
And your own with itsweet Mrs. Abigal.

A BIGAL. Pray, good Mr. Vellum, buy me a little parcel of this fack, 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 and yet if you will allow me a merry exprellion--you have been always in my books, Mrs. Abigal. Ha,

bills.

A B I G A L. Ha, ha, ha! Mr. Vellum, you are such a dry jesting man !

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

A BIG A L. Your debtor, for what, Mr. Vellum?

V E L L U M. 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!

A BI GA L. Ha, ha, ha! you are the most gallant dun, Mră Vellum.

VEL Ļ U M.
But I am not us’d to be paid by words only, Mrs.
Abigal; when will

you
be out of

my

debt? A BIG A L. Oh, Mr. Vellum, you make one blush--my humble

V E L L U M..
I must answer you, Mrs. Abigal, in the country phrase
-Your love is sufficient. Ha, ha, ha!

A BIG A L.
Ha, ha, ha! Well, I must own I'love a merry man!

VELLUM. Let me see, how long is it, Mrs. Abigal, since I first broke

iny 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, heMrs. Abigal, you know I am naturally jocofe.

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

service to you:

V E L L U M. Mrs. Abigal, I have a trifle about me, which I would willingly make you a present of. It is indeed but 2

little toy.

A BIG A L.
You are always exceedingly obliging.

V E L L U M.
It is but a little toy scarce worth your acceptance

AB IGA L.
Pray do not keep me in fufpence; what is it, Mr.
Vellum?

VELLUM.
A silver thimble.

A BI GA L.
I always said, Mr. Vellum was a generous tover.

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

ABIGA L. Oh fy! you make me ashan’d, Mr. Vellum; how can you do so? I protest I am in such a confusion

[ A feign'd struggle. V E L L U M. This finger is not the finger of idleness; it bears the honourable scars of the needlembut, why are you fo cruel as not to pare your nails ?

'A BI GA L. Oh, I vow you press it so hard! pray give me my finger again.

V E L L U M. This middle finger, Mrs. Abigal, has a pretty neighbour a wedding ring would become it mightilyHe, he, he !

ABIGA L. You're so full of your jokes. Ay, but where must I find one for it?

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

A B I G A L. Yes, yes, I see you laugh at me.

VELLU M. Indeed I am serious.

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

V E L L U M.
I should as soon forget the multiplication table.

ABIGA L.
I have always taken your part before my Lady.

V E L L U M.
You have fo, and I have Item'd it in my memory.

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

1

own.

V E L L U M. It is nothing but your cruelty can hinder them from being fo.

A B IGA L.
I must strike while the iron's hot. [Akde) Well,
Mrs. Vellum, there is no refusing you, you have such a
bewitching tongue !

V E L L U M.
How? speak that again!

ABIGA L.
Why then in plain English I love you.

VELLU M.
I'm overjoy'd!

ABIGAL I must own my passion for you.

VELLUM I'm transported.

[Caicbes ber in bis arms.

AB IGAL Dear charming man!

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

AB IGAL. Marry him! my love, no, no! we muft take care of that! there woulú be no staying in the house for us if The 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.

V ELLUM. Prythee, fweet 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 thoufand pound in our way.

VELLUM. Ay, say'st thou so, my Turtle?

ABIGA L. 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.

V E L L U M. Certainly, my dove, not from thy yoke-fellow, thy help-mate, thy own flesh and blood ?

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