MRS. HARD. Yours, my dear, can admit of none. That natural blush is beyond a thousand ornaments. Besides, child, jewels are quite out at present. Don't you see half the ladies of our acquaintance, my Lady Kill-day-light, and Mr. Crump, and the rest of them, carry their jewels to town, and bring nothing but paste and marcasites back? MISS NEV. But who knows, madam, but somebody that shall be nameless would like me best with all my little finery about me? MRS. HARD. Consult your glass, my dear, and then see, if, with such a pair of eyes, you want any better sparklers. What do you think, Tony, my dear, does your cousin Con want jewels, in your eyes to set off her beauty? TONY. That's as thereafter may be. MISS NEV. My dear aunt, if you knew how it would oblige me. MRS. HARD. A parcel of old fashioned rose and table-cut things. They would make you look like the court of king Solomon at a puppet-show. Besides, I believe I can't readily come at them. They may be missing for aught I know to the contrary. TONY. (_Apart to_ MRS. HARDCASTLE.) Then why don't you tell her so at once, as she's so longing for them? Tell her they're lost. It's the only way to quiet her. Say they're lost, and call me to bear witness. MRS. HARD. (_Apart to_ TONY.) You know, my dear, I'm only keeping them for you. So, if I say they're gone, you'll bear me witness, will you? He! he! he! TONY. Never fear me. Ecod! I'll say I saw them taken out with mine own eyes. MISS NEV. I desire them but for a day, madam. Just to be permitted to show them as relics, and then they may be locked up again. MRS. HARD. To be plain with you, my dear Constance; if I could find them, you should have them. They're missing, I assure you. Lost, for aught I know; but we must have patience wherever they are. MISS NEV. I'll not believe it; this is but a shallow pretence to deny me. I know they're too valuable to be so slightly kept, and as you are to answer for the loss. MRS. HARD. Don't be alarmed, Constance; if they be lost, I must restore an equivalent. But my son knows they are missing, and not to be found. TONY. That I can bear witness to. They are missing, and not to be found, I'll take my oath on't. MRS. HARD. You must learn resignation, my dear; for though we lose our fortune, yet we should not lose our patience. See me, how calm I am. MISS NEV. Ay, people are generally calm at the misfortunes of others. MRS. HARD. Now, I wonder a girl of your good sense, should waste a thought upon such trumpery. We shall soon find them; and, in the mean time, you shall make use of my garnets, till your jewels be found. MISS NEV. I detest garnets. MRS. HARD. The most becoming things in the world to set off a clear complexion. You have often seen how well they look upon me. You _shall_ have them. _Exit._