_Short._ Why, I understand that I have had above a hundred pounds due to me a year ago; that I came, by appointment, just now to receive it: that it proved at last to be but thirty instead of a hundred and ten; and that while the steward was telling even that out, and I was writing the receipt, comes Mrs. _Pop_ here, and the money was gone. But I'll be banter'd no longer if there's law in _England_. Say no more, _Short-yard_. [_Exit._ _Trus._ What a passion the poor devil's in! Lady _Ara._ Why truly one can't deny but he has some present cause to be a little in ill-humour, but when one has things of greater consequence on foot, one can't trouble one's self about making such creatures easy; so call for breakfast, _Trusty_, and set the hazard-table ready; if there comes no company I'll play a little by myself. _Enter Lord ~Loverule~._ Lord _Love._ Pray what offence, Madam, have you given to a man I met with just as I came in? Lady _Ara._ People who are apt to take offence, do it for small matters, you know. Lord _Love._ I shall be glad to find this so; but he says you have owed him above a hundred pounds this twelvemonth; that he has been here forty times by appointment for it, to no purpose; and that coming here this morning upon positive assurance from yourself, he was trick'd out of the money, while he was writing a receipt for it, and sent away without a farthing. Lady _Ara._ Lord, how these shopkeepers will lye! Lord _Love._ What then is the business? for some ground the man must have to be in such a passion. Lady _Ara._ I believe you'll rather wonder to see me so calm, when I tell you he had the insolence to intrude into my very dressing-room here, with a story without a head or tail; you know, _Trusty_, we cou'd not understand one word he said, but when he swore----Good Lord! how the wretch did swear! _Trus._ I never heard the like for my part. Lord _Love._ And all this for nothing? Lady _Ara._ So it proved, my Lord, for he got nothing by it. Lord _Love._ His swearing I suppose was for his money, Madam. Who can blame him? Lady _Ara._ If he swore for money he should be put in the pillory. Lord _Love._ Madam, I won't be banter'd, nor sued by this man for your extravagancies: do you owe him the money or not? Lady _Ara._ He says I do, but such fellows will say any thing. Lord _Love._ Provoking! [_Aside._] Did not I desire an account from you of all your debts, but six months since, and give you money to clear them? Lady _Ara._ My Lord, you can't imagine how accounts make my head ake. Lord _Love._ That won't do. The steward gave you two hundred pounds besides, but last week; where's that? Lady _Ara._ Gone! Lord _Love._ Gone! where? Lady _Ara._ Half the town over, I believe, by this time. Lord _Love._ Madam, Madam, this can be endured no longer, and before a month passes expect to find me-- Lady _Ara._ Hist, my Lord, here's company.