_Hip._ Nay, don't swear, for you'll be the apter to do it then. [_Aside._] I would not have him forswear it neither;--he does not like me, sure, well enough to carry me away. _Ger._ Dear miss, let me kiss your hand. _Hip._ I am sure you would carry me away if I should. _Ger._ Be not afraid of it. _Hip._ [_Aside._] Nay, I am afraid of the contrary.--Either he dislikes me, and therefore will not be troubled with me, or what is as bad, he loves me and is dull, or fearful to displease me. _Ger._ Trust me, sweetest! I can use no violence to you. _Hip._ Nay, I am sure you would carry me away; what should you come in at the window for, if you did not mean to steal me. _Ger._ If I should endeavour it, you might cry out, and I should be prevented. _Hip._ [_Aside._] Dull, dull man of the town! are all like thee? He is as dull as a country squire at questions and commands.--[_To_ GERRARD.] No, if I should cry out never so loud, this is quite at the further end of the house, and there nobody could hear me. _Ger._ I will not give you the occasion, dearest. _Hip._ [_Aside._] Well, I will quicken thy sense, if it be possible.--[_To_ GERRARD.] Nay, I know you come to steal me away; because I am an heiress, and have twelve hundred pounds a year, lately left me by my mother's brother, which my father cannot meddle with, and which is the chiefest reason (I suppose) why he keeps me up so close. _Ger._ Ha! _Hip._ So!--this has made him consider. O money! powerful money! how the ugly, old, crooked, straight, handsome young women are beholding to thee! [_Aside._ _Ger._ Twelve hundred pounds a year! _Hip._ Besides, I have been told my fortune, and the woman said I should be stolen away, because she says 'tis the fate of heiresses to be stolen away. _Ger._ Twelve hundred pounds a-year!--[_Aside._ _Hip._ Nay, more, she described the man to me that was to do it, and he was as like you as could be. Have you any brothers? _Ger._ Not any; 'twas I, I warrant you, sweetest. _Hip._ So, he understands himself now. [_Aside._ _Ger._ Well, madam, since 'twas foretold you, what do you think on't? 'tis in vain, you know, to resist fate. _Hip._ I do know, indeed, they say 'tis to no purpose: besides, the woman that told me my fortune, or you, have bewitched me--Ih--think. [_Sighs._ _Ger._ My soul! my life! 'tis you have charms powerful as numberless, especially those of your innocency irresistible, and do surprise the wariest heart. Such mine was, while I could call it mine, but now 'tis yours for ever. _Hip._ Well, well, get you gone then. I'll keep it safe for your sake. _Ger._ Nay, you must go with me, sweetest. _Hip._ Well, I see you will part with the jewel; but you will have the keeping of the cabinet to which you commit it. _Ger._ Come, come, my dearest, let us be gone: Fortune as well as women must be taken in the humour. _As they are going out_, PRUE _runs hastily to them._