_Dan._ (_who has heard the last few lines_). Nay, sir, but if Sir Jasper deserve all that men say of him, he will scarcely hold in scorn that which poor humble folks have writ in his praise. _Reu._ (_to DOROTHY_). Who is this old gentleman? _Dan._ I am Dan’l Druce,--no gentleman, but a hard-working blacksmith, very much at your honour’s service. (_Looking at him._) I was away when you last come to the village, yet I think I’ve seen your honour’s face. _Reu._ It is very like. It is a striking face. I don’t like it myself, but others do, so I yield to the majority. It is a good face. _Dan._ I cannot recall where I have seen it. _Reu._ It signifieth not--thou wilt have plenty of time to study it,--for thou wilt see it every quarter-day whilst thou livest. Despite its inherent goodliness, it will come to be a face of evil significance to thee, speaking, as it will, of raised rents, rapid distraint, and uncompromising ejection! _Dan._ I’m a punctual tenant, sir, and I fear no man. Dorothy, draw this gentleman some ale while I look to his horse. [_Exit._ _Reu._ And take thy time, for we are very well thus, eh, Dorothy? (_DOROTHY going._) Nay, do not go. Never heed the ale. I’d rather take a long look at thy pretty face than a long pull at thy village brew. The one is sweet, I know--the other is sour, I’ll swear. Come hither, Dorothy. _Dor._ Nay, sir, I---- _Reu._ I have news to tell thee, Dorothy--thou art a kind of wife of mine, for I have, in a manner, married thee--intellectually and reflectively; or, as one may say, in a mental or moral sense have I married thee. I have, as it were, invented thee as my wife, and the invention is none the less mine because a scurvy mechanic (to wit, the parson) hath not yet hammered in the rivets. (_Aside._) A quip! _Dor._ Sir, I do not rightly understand thy talk, but it seemeth to me that thou makest jest of solemn things. _Reu._ Nay, this time I am in earnest. If thou wilt be my wife I will so coll thee, coax thee, cosset thee, court thee, cajole thee, with deftly turned compliment, pleasant whimsy, delicate jest and tuneful madrigal--I will so pleasantly perplex thee with quaint paradox, entertaining aphorism, false conclusion and contradiction in terms--I will so edify thee with joyous anecdote, tales of court and camp, tales of love, hate, and intrigue, tales of murder, rapine, and theft, merry tales, sad tales, long tales, short tales, quip, crank, retort, repartee, and rejoinder, that thy wedded life shall seem one never-ending honeymoon, and thou shalt find but one fault with me--that I clog thee with sweets! (_Takes her round waist._) _Dor._ Nay, sir, I pray you, remove your hand! Sir, you are unmannerly! I pray you, desist! _Enter SIR JASPER; DOROTHY runs to him._ Oh, sir, defend me from this wicked man. _Jas._ Why, Reuben Haines, thou art at thine old tricks again! _Reu._ At _our_ old tricks, your honour!