_Flip._ I do, upon my faith, child. _Cor._ Why then, to deal as fairly with you, _Flippanta_, as you do with me, I have thought so any time these three years. _Flip._ Now I find you have more wit than ever I thought you had; and to shew you what an opinion I have of your discretion, I'll shew you a thing I thought to have thrown in the fire. _Cor._ What is it, for _Jupiter_'s sake? _Flip._ Something will make your heart chuck within you. _Cor._ My dear _Flippanta_! _Flip._ What do you think it is? _Cor._ I don't know, nor I don't care, but I'm mad to have it. _Flip._ It's a four corner'd thing. _Cor._ What, like a cardinal's cap? _Flip._ No, 'tis worth a whole conclave of 'em. How do you like it? [_Shewing the letter._ _Car._ O Lard, a letter!----Is there ever a token in it? _Flip._ Yes, and a precious one too. There's a handsome young gentleman's heart. _Cor._ A handsome young gentleman's heart! [_Aside._] Nay, then 'tis time to look grave. _Flip._ There. _Cor._ I shan't touch it. _Flip._ What's the matter now? _Cor._ I shan't receive it. _Flip._ Sure you jest. _Cor._ You'll find I don't. I understand myself better, than to take letters, when I don't know who they are from. _Flip._ I am afraid I commended your wit too soon. _Cor._ 'Tis all one, I shan't touch it, unless I know who it comes from. _Flip._ Hey-day, open it, and you'll see. _Cor._ Indeed I shall not. _Flip._ Well----then I must return it where I had it. _Cor._ That won't serve your turn, madam. My father must have an account of this. _Flip._ Sure you are not in earnest? _Cor._ You'll find I am. _Flip._ So, here's fine work. This 'tis to deal with girls before they come to know the distinction of sexes. _Cor._ Confess who you had it from, and perhaps, for this once, I mayn't tell my father. _Flip._ Why then, since it must out, 'twas the Colonel: But why are you so scrupulous, madam? _Cor._ Because if it had come from any body else----I would not have given a farthing for it. [_Twitching it eagerly out of her hand._ _Flip._ Ah, my dear little rogue! [_Kissing her._] You frighten'd me out of my wits. _Cor._ Let me read it, let me read it, let me read it, let me read it, I say. Um, um, um, _Cupid_'s um, um, um, _Darts_, um, um, um, _Beauty_, um, _Charms_, um, um, um, _Angel_, um, _Goddess_, um--[_Kissing the letter._]--um, um, um, um, _truest Lover_, hum, um, _Eternal Constancy_, um, um, um, _Cruel_, um, um, um, _Racks_, um, um, _Tortures_, um, um, _fifty Daggers_, um, um, _bleeding Heart_, um, um, _dead Man_. Very well, a mighty civil letter, I promise you; not one smutty word in it: I'll go lock it up in my comb-box. _Flip._ Well--but what does he say to you? _Cor._ Not a word of news, _Flippanta_, 'tis all about business. _Flip._ Does he not tell you he's in love with you? _Cor._ Ay, but he told me that before. _Flip._ How so? He never spoke to you.