_Flip._ I spoil you! He's an unworthy man to give you such ill impressions of a woman of my honour. _Cor._ Nay, never take it to heart, _Flippanta_, for I don't believe a word he says. But he does so plague me with his continual scolding, I'm almost weary of my life. _Flip._ Why, what is't he finds fault with? _Cor._ Nay, I don't know, for I never mind him; when he has babbled for two hours together, methinks I have heard a mill going, that's all. It does not at all change my opinion, _Flippanta_, it only makes my head ache. _Flip._ Nay, if you can bear it so, you are not to be pity'd so much as I thought. _Cor._ Not pity'd! Why is it not a miserable thing, such a young creature as I am should be kept in perpetual solitude, with no other company but a parcel of old fumbling masters to teach me geography, arithmetic, philosophy, and a thousand useless things. Fine entertainment, indeed, for a young maid at sixteen! methinks one's time might be better employ'd. _Flip._ Those things will improve your wit. _Cor._ Fiddle-faddle; han't I wit enough already? My mother-in-law has learn'd none of this trumpery, and is not she as happy as the day is long? _Flip._ Then you envy her, I find? _Cor._ And well I may. Does she not do what she has a mind to, in spite of her husband's teeth? _Flip._ Look you there now [_Aside._] if she has not already conceived that, as the supreme blessing of life. _Cor._ I'll tell you what, _Flippanta_, if my mother-in-law would but stand by me a little, and encourage me, and let me keep her company, I'd rebel against my father to-morrow, and throw all my books in the fire. Why, he can't touch a groat of my portion; do you know that, _Flippanta_? _Flip._ So----I shall spoil her. [_Aside._] Pray heaven the girl don't debauch me. _Cor._ Look you: In short, he may think what he pleases, he may think himself wise: but thoughts are free, and I may think in my turn. I'm but a girl, 'tis true, and a fool too, if you believe him; but let him know, a foolish girl may make a wise man's heart ache; so he had as good be quiet--Now it's out---- _Flip._ Very well, I love to see a young woman have spirit, it's a sign she'll come to something. _Cor._ Ah, _Flippanta_, if you wou'd but encourage me, you'll find me quite another thing. I'm a devilish girl in the bottom; I wish you'd but let me make one amongst you. _Flip._ That never can be, 'till you are marry'd. Come, examine your Strength a little. Do you think, you durst venture upon a husband? _Cor._ A husband! Why a--if you wou'd but encourage me. Come, _Flippanta_, be a true friend now. I'll give you advice, when I have got a little more experience. Do you in your very conscience and soul think I am old enough to be marry'd? _Flip._ Old enough! Why you are sixteen, are you not? _Cor._ Sixteen! I am sixteen, two months, and odd days, woman. I keep an exact account. _Flip._ The duce you are! _Cor._ Why do you then truly and sincerely think I am old enough?