Const.  Let him go, and take no notice of him:  Poor rogue! he little thinks I know his poverty.

Isa.  And less, that you supply it by an unknown hand.

Const.  Aye, and falsified my father’s key to do it.

Isa.  How can you answer this to your discretion?

Const.  Who could see him want, she loves?

Enter SETSTONE.

Isa.  O here’s Mr Setstone come, your jeweller, madam.

Const.  Welcome, Setstone; hast thou performed thy visit happily, and without discovery?

Set.  As you would wish it, madam:  I went up to his chamber without interruption; and there found him drowning his cares, and pacifying his hunger, with sleep; which advantage I took, and; undiscovered by him, left the gold divided in his pockets.

Const.  Well, this money will furnish him, I hope, that we may have his company again.

Set.  Two hundred and fifty good pounds, madam.  Has your father missed it yet?

Const.  No; if he had, we should have all heard on’t before now:  But, pray God Monsieur Loveby has no other haunts to divert him, now he’s ransomed!  What a kind of woman is his landlady?

Set.  Well enough to serve a tailor; or to kiss when he comes home drunk, or wants money; but far unlikely to create jealousy in your ladyship.

Enter Servant.

Serv.  Madam, Justice Trice desires your ladyship’s excuse, that he has not yet performed the civilities of his hour to you; he is dispatching a little business, about which he is earnestly employed.

Const.  He’s master of his own occasions. [Exit Servant.

Isa.  We shall see him anon, with his face as red as if it had been boiled in pump-water:  But, when comes this mirror of knighthood, that is to be presented you for your servant?

Const.  Oh, ’tis well thought on; ’faith thou know’st my affections are otherwise disposed; he’s rich, and thou want’st a fortune; atchieve him, if thou can’st; ’tis but trying, and thou hast as much wit as any wench in England.

Isa.  On condition you’ll take it for a courtesy to be rid of an ass, I care not if I marry him:  the old fool, your father, would be so importunate to match you with a young fool, that, partly for quietness sake, I am content to take him.

Const.  To take him! then you make sure on’t.

Isa.  As sure, as if the sack posset were already eaten.

Const.  But, what means wilt thou use to get him?

Isa.  I’ll bribe Failer; he’s the man.

Const.  Why, this knight is his inheritance; he lives upon him:  Do’st thou think he’ll ever admit thee to govern him?  No, he fears thy wit too much:  Besides, he has already received an hundred pounds, to make the match between Sir Timorous and me.