Liss. By an infallible rule, madam; words are the pictures of the mind, you know: now, to prove he thinks of nothing but you, he talks of nothing but you. For example, madam, coming from shooting t'other day with a brace of partridges, Lissardo, said he, go bid the cook roast me these Violantes.-I flew into the kitchen full of thoughts of thee, cry'd, Here, cook, roast me these Floras. [To Flora. Flo. Ha, ha, excellent!-You mimic your master then, it seems.

Liss. I can do every thing as well as my master, you little rogue.—Another time, madam, the priest came to make him a visit, he called out hastily, Lissardo, said he, bring a Violante for my father to sit down on. Then he often mistook my name, madam, and called me Violante: in short, I heard it so often, that it became as familiar to me as my prayers.

Vio. You live very merrily then, it seems.

Liss. Oh! exceeding merry, madam.

[Kisses Flora's hand

Vio. Ha! exceeding merry: had you treats and balls?

Liss. Oh yes, yes, madam, several.

Flo. You are mad, Lissardo, you don't mind what my lady says to you. [Aside to Lissardo. Vio. Ha! balls-Is he so merry in my absence? And did your master dance, Lissardo ? Liss. Dance, madam! where, madam?

Vio. Why, at those balls you speak of.

Liss. Balls! what balls, madam ?

Vio. Why, sure you are in love, Lissardo; did not you say, but now, you had balls where you have

been?

Liss. Balls, madam! Odslife, I ask your pardon, madam! I, I, I, had mislaid some wash-balls of my master's t'other day; and because I could not think where I had laid them, just when he ask'd for them, he very fairly broke my head, madam; and now, it seems, I can think of nothing else. Alas! he dance, madam! No, no, poor gentleman! he is as melancholy as an unbraced drum.

Vio. Poor Felix! There, wear that ring for your master's sake, and let him know I shall be ready to receive him. [Exit Violante. Liss. I shall, madam.. -[Puts on the ring.] Methinks a diamond ring is a vast addition to the little finger of a gentleman. [Admiring his hand.

Flo. That ring must be mine.Well, Lissardo, what haste you make to pay off arrears now? Look how the fellow stands !

Liss. Egad, methinks I have a very pretty handand very white-and the shape!-Faith, I never minded it so much before-In my opinion it is a very fine shaped hand--and becomes a diamond ring as well as the first grandee's in Portugal.

Flo. The man's transported! Is this your love, this your impatience ?

Liss. [Takes snuff.] Now in my mind-I take snuff with a very jantee air-Well, I am persuaded I

want nothing but a coach and a title to make me a very fine gentleman. [Struts about. Flo. Sweet Mr. Lissardo! [Curtsying.] if I may presume to speak to you without affronting your little finger

Liss. Odso, madam, I ask your pardon-Is it to me, or to the ring-you direct your discourse, madam ?

Flo. Madam! Good lack how much a diamond ring improves one !

Liss. Why, tho' I say it-I can carry myself as well as any body-But what wer't thou going to say, child?

Flo. Why, I was going to say that I fancy you had best let me keep that ring: it will be a very pretty wedding-ring, Lissardo, would it not?

Liss. Humph ah! But-but-but-I believe I sha'n't marry yet awhile.

Flo. You sha'n't, you say-Very well! I suppose you design that ring for Inis.

Liss. No, no; I never bribe an old acquaintancePerhaps I might let it sparkle in the eyes of a stranger a little till we come to a right understanding— but then, like all other mortal things, it would return from whence it came.

Flo. Insolent!Is that your manner of dealing? Liss. With all but thee-Kiss me, you little rogue, [Hugging her. Flo. Little rogue! Pr'ythee, fellow, don't be so C

you.

familiar; [Pushing him away.] if I mayn't keep your ring, I can keep my kisses.

Liss. You can, you say! Spoke with the air of a chambermaid.

Flo. Replied with the spirit of a serving man.

Liss. Pr'ythee, Flora, don't let you and I fall out; I am in a merry humour, and shall certainly fall in somewhere.

Flo. What care I where you fall in.

Enter VIOLANTE.

Vio. Why do you keep Lissardo so long, Flora, when you don't know how soon my father may awake his afternoon naps are never long.

Flo. Had Don Felix been with her, she would not have thought the time long. These ladies consider nobody's wants but their own.

Vio. Go, go, let him out, and bring a candle.

Flo. Yes, madam.

Liss. I fly, madam.

[Aside.

[Exeunt Liss. and Flora.

Vio. The day draws in, and night, the lover's friend, advances-night more welcome than the sun to me, because it brings my love.

Flo. [Shrieks within.] Ah, thieves, thieves! Murder, murder!

Vio. [Shrieks.] Ah! defend me, Heaven! What do I hear? Felix is certainly pursu'd, and will be taken.

Enter FLORA, running.

Vio. How now? why dost stare so? Answer me quickly; what's the matter?

Flo. Oh, madam! as I was letting out Lissardo, a gentleman rushed between him and I, struck down my candle, and is bringing a dead person in his arms into our house.

Fio. Ha! a dead person! Heav'n grant it does not prove my Felix.

Flo. Here they are, madam.

Vio. I'll retire till you discover the meaning of this accident.

[Exit.

Enter Colonel, with ISABELLA in his arms, sets her down in a chair, and addresses himself to FLORA. Col. Madam, the necessity this lady was under of being conveyed into some house with speed and secresy, will, I hope, excuse any indecency I might be guilty of in pressing so rudely into this-I am an entire stranger to her name and circumstances-would I were so to her beauty too. [Aside.] I commit her, madam, to your care, and fly to make her retreat secure if the street be clear: permit me to return, and learn from her own mouth if I can be further ser viceable. Pray, madam, how is the lady of this house called?

Flo. Violante, signior" He is a handsome ca❝valier, and promises well.

[Aside.