_Julia_. Thy feather's just The height I like a feather! Mine's too short! What shall I give thee in exchange for it? _Helen_. What shall I give thee for a minute's talk About Sir Thomas? _Julia_. Why, thy feather. _Helen_. Take it! _Clif_. [Aside to MODUS.] What, likes she not to speak of me? _Helen_. And now Let's talk about Sir Thomas--much I'm sure He loves you. _Julia_. Much I'm sure, he has a right! Those know I who would give their eyes to be Sir Thomas, for my sake! _Helen_. Such too, know I. But 'mong them none that can compare with him, Not one so graceful. _Julia_. What a graceful set Your feather has! _Helen_. Nay, give it back to me, Unless you pay me for't. _Julia_. What was't to get? _Helen_. A minute's talk with thee about Sir Thomas. _Julia_. Talk of his title, and his fortune then. _Clif_. [Aside.] Indeed! I would not listen, yet I must! _Julia_. An ample fortune, Helen--I shall be A happy wife! What routs, what balls, what masques, What gala-days! _Clif_. [Aside.] For these she marries me! She'll talk of these! _Julia_. Think not, when I am wed, I'll keep the house as owlet does her tower, Alone,--when every other bird's on wing. I'll use my palfrey, Helen; and my coach; My barge, too, for excursion on the Thames: What drives to Barnet, Hackney, Islington! What rides to Epping, Hounslow, and Blackheath! What sails to Greenwich, Woolwich, Fulham, Kew! I'll set a pattern to your lady wives! _Clif_. [Aside.] Ay, lady? Trust me, not at my expense. _Julia_. And what a wardrobe! I'll have change of suits For every day in the year! and sets for days! My morning dress, my noon dress, dinner dress, And evening dress! Then will I show you lace A foot deep, can I purchase; if not, I'll specially bespeak it. Diamonds too! Not buckles, rings, and earrings only--but Whole necklaces and stomachers of gems! I'll shine! be sure I will. _Clif_. [Aside.] Then shine away; Who covets thee may wear thee;--I'm not he! _Julia_. And then my title! Soon as I put on The ring, I'm Lady Clifford. So I take Precedence of plain mistress, were she e'en The richest heiress in the land! At town Or country ball, you'll see me take the lead, While wives that carry on their backs the wealth To dower a princess, shall give place to me;-- Will I not profit, think you, by my right? Be sure I will! marriage shall prove to me A never-ending pageant. Every day Shall show how I am spoused! I will be known For Lady Clifford all the city through, And fifty miles the country round about. Wife of Sir Thomas Clifford, baronet-- Not perishable knight--who, when he makes A lady of me, doubtless must expect To see me play the part of one. _Clif_. [Coming forward.] Most true; But not the part which you design to play. _Julia_. A listener, sir!