MRS. F. I will assist you to get out, I say. Return into that basket; two of the footman shall carry you out to any place you may name, no one shall know of your being here. RECK. (_aside._) Oh, curse such kindness! Madam, consider--get into the basket again? I have a pattern of the wicker work impressed upon me from head to foot at present, independent of the lumps and bruises I have received. MRS. F. I can offer no other alternative. I cannot encourage your addresses to Miss Julia; then I must consider my own character. Return into the basket, and I will go and order the footmen to come up immediately. RECK. Well, madam, if there is no alternative, send me to this direction. (_gives card, and re-enters basket._) Be sure to tell them to keep the right side upwards. MRS. F. I will, sir; the contents of the basket shall be taken care of to the full value of the article. [_Exit, R. H._ RECK. And I am to go back like a glass milk-pot, am I not? (_gets out._) Snail! leave thy shell. In thy mistress's house, Ralph Reckless, and suffer thyself to be packed up like a fish, and sent off as mute? No, no; I've given the lady my tailor's card for a direction. Ha, ha, ha! (_looks in closet._) what have we here?--a broken pestle and mortar, and a stone ball from the garden entrance. These shall go in the basket, (_puts them in._) they will pass for me as well as I did for grocery. [_Exit L. H._ _Enter FANNY, L. H._ FANNY. How cross Missus Facile is, and only a visitor too! I shall give her a bit of my mind if she goes on so, not but I like a woman of spirit. How beautiful she did throw the thingummy-gig out of the window--that was fine now; I can give the devil his due. (_goes to window._) But, oh! there's a boat party--and, oh! there's my admirer, Thomas--and, oh! he's sitting by a female--and, oh! (_hides her face._) how shocking, horrid, disgusting--he kissed her; it is so low-lived to kiss in the open air! He shall see how I'll trim his jacket when I meet him again! I'll give--but what's this, a basket? M-i-ss, Miss--F-a-n, Fan-n-y-ny, Fanny--Miss Fanny P-e-p, Pep--Miss Fanny Pep-p-e-r, per--Miss Fanny Pepper. It's horrid writing, (_tears off note._) a present, but I won't keep it; I'll--I'll do as Mrs. Facile did, I'll shy it out of window into the water. (_tries to lift it._) Oh, gemini, how heavy it is. Hush! there's footsteps. EUCLID. (_without._) So is B to C. FANNY. It is Mr. Facile; he has no pride, though he is a gentleman--I'll call him. Mr. Facile! _Enter EUCLID, L. H._ EUCLID. Well, Frances Pepper? FANNY. (_aside._) I knew he'd come. I have a favour to ask--Are you strong, Mr. Facile? EUCLID. (_aside._) Now what the deuce should she ask that for? FANNY. Strong in the arm, I mean? EUCLID. Pretty well. FANNY. You'll excuse the liberty--you are such a kind gentleman; but could you oblige me by throwing this basket out of the window? EUCLID. Why? FANNY. Oh, sir, pardon me, it's a delicate affair.