MISS NEV. Pray, aunt, let me read it. Nobody reads a cramp hand better than I. (_Twitching the letter from her._) Do you know who it is from? TONY. Can't tell, except from Dick Ginger, the feeder. MISS NEV. Ay, so it is. (_Pretending to read._) Dear 'Squire, Hoping that you're in health, as I am at this present. The gentlemen of the Shake-bag club has cut the gentlemen of Goose green quite out of feather. The odds—um—odd battle—um—long fighting—um—Here, here; it's all about cocks, and fighting: it's of no consequence; here, put it up, put it up. _Thrusting the crumpled letter upon him._ TONY. But I tell you, miss, it's of all the consequence in the world. I would not lose the rest of it for a guinea. Here, mother, do you make it out. Of no consequence! _Giving_ MRS. HARDCASTLE _the letter_. MRS. HARD. How's this? (_Reads._) Dear 'Squire, I'm now waiting for Miss Neville, with a post-chaise and pair, at the bottom of the garden, but I find my horses yet unable to perform the journey. I expect you'll assist us with a pair of fresh horses, as you promised. Dispatch is necessary, as the _hag_ (ay the hag), your mother, will otherwise suspect us. Yours, Hastings. Grant me patience. I shall run distracted. My rage chokes me. MISS NEV. I hope, madam, you'll suspend your resentment for a few moments, and not impute to me any impertinence, or sinister design that belongs to another. MRS. HARD. (_Curtseying very low._) Fine-spoken madam, you are most miraculously polite and engaging, and quite the very pink of courtesy and circumspection, madam. (_Changing_ _her tone._ ) And you, you great ill-fashioned oaf, with scarce sense enough to keep your mouth shut. Were you too joined against me? But I'll defeat all your plots in a moment. As for you, madam, since you have got a pair of fresh horses ready, it would be cruel to disappoint them. So, if you please, instead of running away with your spark, prepare, this very moment, to run off with _me_. Your old aunt Pedigree will keep you secure, I'll warrant me. You too, sir, may mount your horse, and guard us upon the way. Here, Thomas, Roger, Diggory, I'll show you, that I wish you better than you do yourselves. _Exit._ MISS NEV. So, now I'm completely ruined. TONY. Ay, that's a sure thing. MISS NEV. What better could be expected, from being connected with such a stupid fool, and after all the nods and signs I made him? TONY. By the laws, miss, it was your own cleverness, and not my stupidity, that did your business. You were so nice, and so busy, with your Shake-bags and Goose-greens, that I thought you could never be making believe. _Enter_ HASTINGS. HAST. So, sir, I find by my servant, that you have shown my letter, and betrayed us. Was this well done, young gentleman? TONY. Here's another. Ask miss there, who betrayed you. Ecod, it was her doing, not mine. _Enter_ MARLOW.