_Bet._ [_Starting with surprise_.] O! heavens!--I beg, sir, you will not misapprehend me; for I assure you I do not believe they did any harm--that is, not in the grove--at least, not when I was there;--and she may be honestly married for aught I know.--O! lud! sir,--I would not say an ill thing of Miss Constantia for the world,--for to be sure she is a good creature:--'tis true, my lady took her in for charity, and indeed has bred her up to the music and figures;--ay, and reading all the books about Homer--and Paradise--and Gods and Devils,--and every thing in the world,-- as if she had been a dutchess: but some people are born with luck in their mouths, and then--as the saying is--you may throw them into the sea-- [_deports herself most affedtedly._] but--if I had had dancing masters-- and music masters--and French Mounseers to teach me--I believe I might have read the globes, and the maps,--and have danced,--and have been as clever as other folks. _Sid._ Ha, ha, ha! no doubt on it, Mrs. Betty;--but you mentioned something of a dark walk,--kissing,--a sweetheart and Constantia. _Bet._ [_Starts into a cautious hypocrisy_.] O! lud! sir--I don't know any thing of the matter: she may be very honest for aught I know: I only say, that they did meet in the dark walk,--and all the servants observe that Miss Constantia wears her stays very loose--looks very pale--is sick in a morning, and after dinner: and, as sure as my name is Betty Hint, something has happened that I won't name,--but--nine months hence--a certain person in this family may ask me to stand godmother, for I think I know what's what, when I see it as well as another. _Sid_. No doubt you do, Mrs. Betty. _Bet_. [_Cries, turns up her eyes, and acts a most friendly hypocrisy_.] I do, indeed, sir. I am very sorry for Miss Constantia. I never thought she would have taken such courses--for in truth I love her as if she was my own sister; and though all the servants say that she is breeding--yet, for my part, I don't believe it; but--one must speak according to one's conscience, you know, sir. _Sid_. O! I see you do. _Bet_. [_Going and returning_.] I do indeed, sir: and so your servant, sir--but--I hope your worship won't mention my name in this business;--or that you had any _item_ from me. _Sid_. I shall not, Mrs. Betty. _Bet_. For, indeed, sir, I am no busybody, nor do I love fending nor proving; and, I assure you, sir, I hate all tittling and tattling, and gossiping and backbiting, and taking away a person's good name. _Sid_. I observe you do, Mrs. Betty. _Set_. I do indeed, sir. I am the farthest from it in the world. _Sid_. I dare say you are. _Bet_. I am indeed, sir, and so your humble servant. _Sid_. Your servant, Mrs. Betty. _Bet_. [_Aside, in great exultation_.] So! I see he believes every word I say,--that's charming. I'll do her business for her I am resolved. [_Exit._