_Flip._ Let them alone; I'll answer for them they don't slip the occasion.----See here they come. They little think what a piece of good news we have for 'em. _Enter ~Clarissa~ and ~Araminta~._ _Clar._ _Jessamin_! here, boy, carry up these things into my dressing-room, and break as many of them by the way as you can, be sure.----O! art thou there, _Brass_! What news? _Brass._ Madam, I only call'd in as I was going by----But some little propositions Mrs. _Flippanta_ has been starting have kept me here to offer your ladyship my humble service. _Clar._ What propositions? _Brass._ She'll acquaint you, madam. _Aram._ Is there any thing new, _Flippanta_? _Flip._ Yes, and pretty too. _Clar._ That follows of course, but let's have it quick. _Flip._ Why, Madam, you have made a conquest. _Clar._ Hussy----But of who? quick. _Flip._ Of Mr. _Money-trap_, that's all. _Aram._ My husband? _Flip._ Yes, your husband, Madam: You thought fit to corrupt ours, so now we are even with you. _Aram._ Sure thou art in jest, _Flippanta_. _Flip._ Serious as my devotions. _Brass._ And the cross intrigue, ladies, is what our brains have been at work about. _Aram._ My dear! [_To ~Clarissa~._ _Clar._ My life! _Aram._ My angel! _Clar._ My soul! [_Hugging one another._ _Aram._ The stars have done this. _Clar._ The pretty little twinklers. _Flip._ And what will you do for them now? _Clar._ What grateful creatures ought; shew 'em we don't despise their favours. _Aram._ But is not this a wager between these two blockheads? _Clar._ I would not give a shilling to go the winner's halves. _Aram._ Then 'tis the most fortunate thing that ever cou'd have happen'd. _Clar._ All your last night's ideas, _Araminta_, were trifles to it. _Aram._ _Brass_, my dear, will be useful to us. _Brass._ At your service, Madam. _Clar._ _Flippanta_ will be necessary, my life! _Flip._ She waits your commands, Madam. _Aram._ For my part then, I recommend my husband to thee, _Flippanta_, and make it my earnest request thou won't leave him one half-crown. _Flip._ I'll do all I can to obey you, Madam. _Brass._ [_To ~Clarissa~._] If your ladyship wou'd give me the same kind orders for yours. _Clar._ O----if thou spar'st him, _Brass_, I'm thy enemy till I die. _Brass._ 'Tis enough, Madam, I'll be sure to give you a reasonable account of him. But how do you intend we shall proceed, ladies? Must we storm the purse at once, or break ground in form, and carry it by little and little? _Clar._ Storm, dear _Brass_, storm: ever whilst you live, storm. _Aram._ O by all means; must it not be so, _Flippanta_? _Flip._ In four and twenty hours, two hundred pounds a-piece, that's my sentence. _Brass._ Very well. But, ladies, you'll give me leave to put you in mind of some little expence in favours, 'twill be necessary you are at, to these honest gentlemen.