Your company! here’s wonders. I never knew you ask that before. ’Twas always stand off, Tristram: and you may go, Tristram: and we don’t want you, Tristram. What’s come to you now, that you ask my company? _R._ Your master’s gone, Tristram; and I shall feel lonely. _T._ My master is gone: and, as I believe, many thanks to you. I don’t know why ever you came here; but since you came all has gone wrong: there’s been more secrets and less sense: and now my master, or I should say, my late master, has quarrelled with the Countess and me; and I am turned loose on the world. _R._ Do you want a fresh place, Tristram? _T._ If I did, you are scarcely the man I should look to; thank you all the same. _R._ I could give you some good advice. _T._ I don’t want your advice neither, sir. R. You love secrets, though: I have one I could tell you. _T._ I have had enough of secrets. I wish you could tell me something that isn’t a secret. _R._ It’s no secret, Tristram, that you love Miss Flora. _T._ No, damn it: but it was a secret: and the best of them all. But now my master’s gone, I dare tell you a secret, sir. I always disliked you extremely from the first: and I don’t think better of you now.—I have to put a few things together before the maids come to do the room; and if you don’t go, I shall leave you to be dusted out. 2780 _R._ Wait, Tristram: I can teach you better manners. And I have a service to ask of you. Here’s a purse to help you and Flora. (_giving._) _T._ Well, this is a different matter. I am sure, sir, I am very much obliged to you. But I never saw the colour of your money before. (_Aside._) More ducats! _R._ No: because you served me better by trying to disoblige me. Now I pay you to oblige me in a trifling matter. ’Tis to find out Sir Gregory and deliver this letter to him. _T._ Certainly, sir. Is there anything else that you may require, sir? _R._ Yes. Just light me a taper, and I’ll seal the letter. You see I don’t trust you altogether, Tristram: not yet. _T._ You may, sir. I want no more of Mr. Frederick’s secrets. Not that they were at all times unprofitable, though he never himself gave me a penny on their account. 2800 _R._ (_having sealed_). Here ’tis. Will you please take it at once? _T._ (_taking_). I will, sir. (_Aside._) More secrets still: and more ducats. [_Exit._ _R._ Enough should grow to reach Diana’s ears From Tristram’s curiosity. Meanwhile I’ll watch my time. My rival’s safely gone ... But how to face Diana? I think ’tis best To take her by surprise: a weaker force 2809 Then overwhelms. I will go change my dress. [_Exit._ SCENE · 5 _The hall up-stairs, or other room in Palace. TRISTRAM and FLORA meeting._ _TRISTRAM._ Ha, Flora! where’s Sir Gregory? What red eyes: blubbering! _FLORA._