Flip. Sure you are not in earnest?
Cor. You'll find I am.
Flip. So, here's fine work. This 'tis to deal with girls before they come to know the distinction of sexes.
Cor. Confess who you had it from, and perhaps, for this once, I mayn't tell my father.
Flip. Why then, since it must out, 'twas the Colonel: But why are you so scrupulous, madam?
Cor. Because if it had come from any body else——I would not have given a farthing for it.
[Twitching it eagerly out of her hand.
Flip. Ah, my dear little rogue! [Kissing her.] You frighten'd me out of my wits.
Cor. Let me read it, let me read it, let me read it, let me read it, I say. Um, um, um, Cupid's um, um, um, Darts, um, um, um, Beauty, um, Charms, um, um, um, Angel, um, Goddess, um—[Kissing the letter.]—um, um, um, um, truest Lover, hum, um, Eternal Constancy, um, um, um, Cruel, um, um, um, Racks, um, um, Tortures, um, um, fifty Daggers, um, um, bleeding Heart, um, um, dead Man.
Very well, a mighty civil letter, I promise you; not one smutty word in it: I'll go lock it up in my comb-box.