_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 deuce you are! _Cor._ Why, do you then truly and sincerely think I am old enough? _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 show you what an opinion I have of your discretion, I'll show 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-cornered thing. _Cor._ What, like a cardinal's cap? _Flip._ No, 'tis worth a whole conclave of 'em. How do you like it? [_Showing the letter._ _Cor._ 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, it's 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'm afraid I commended your wit too soon. _Cor._ 'Tis all one, I shan't touch it, unless I know who it comes from. _Flip._ Heyday, 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 anybody else--I would not have given a farthing for it. [_Snatching it eagerly out of her hand._'