_Wal_. So, Sir Thomas! Aha! you husband time! Well, was I right? Is't not the jewel that I told you 'twas? Wouldst thou not give thine eyes to wear it? Eh? It has an owner, though,--nay, start not,--one That may be bought to part with't, and with whom I'll stand thy friend--I will--I say, I will! A strange man, sir, and unaccountable: But I can humour him--will humour him For thy sake, good Sir Thomas; for I like thee. Well, is't a bargain? Come, thy hand upon it. A word or two with thee. [They retire. JULIA and HELEN come forward.] _Julia_. Go up to town! _Helen_. Have I not said it ten times o'er to thee? But if thou likest it not, protest against it. _Julia_. Not if 'tis Master Walter's will. _Helen_. What then? Thou wouldst not break thy heart for Master Walter? _Julia_. That follows not! _Helen_. What follows not? _Julia_. That I Should break my heart, because we go to town. _Helen_. Indeed?--Oh, that's another matter. Well, I'd e'en advise thee then to do his will; And, ever after, when I prophesy, Believe me, Julia! [They retire. MASTER WALTER comes forward.] [Enter FATHOM.] _Fath_. So please you, sir, a letter,--a post-haste letter! The bearer on horseback, the horse in a foam--smoking like a boiler at the heat--be sure a posthaste letter! _Wal_. Look to the horse and rider. [Opens the letter and reads.] What's this? A testament addressed to me, Found in his lordship's escritoire, and thence Directed to be taken by no hand But mine. My presence instantly required. [SIR THOMAS, JULIA, and HELEN come forward.] Come, my mistresses, You dine in town to-day. Your father's will, It is, my Julia, that you see the world; And thou shalt see it in its best attire. Its gayest looks--its richest finery It shall put on for thee, that thou may'st judge Betwixt it, and this rural life you've lived. Business of moment I'm but thus advised of, Touching the will of my late noble master, The Earl of Rochdale, recently deceased, Commands me for a time to leave thee there. Sir Thomas, hand her to the chariot. Nay, I tell thee true. We go indeed to town! [They go out.] ACT II. SCENE I.--An Apartment in Master Heartwell's House. [Enter FATHOM and THOMAS.] _Thos_. Well, Fathom, is thy mistress up? _Fath_. She is, Master Thomas, and breakfasted. _Thos_. She stands it well! 'Twas five, you say, when she came home; and wants it now three-quarters of an hour of ten? Wait till her stock of country health is out. _Fath_. 'Twill come to that, Master Thomas, before she lives another month in town! three, four, five six o'clock are now the hours she keeps. 'Twas otherwise with her in the country. There, my mistress used to rise what time she now lies down. _Thos_. Why, yes; she's changed since she came hither.