Ger. Yes, they have instruments too that are not of wood; but what will you do with them?
Hip. What did you think I intended to do with them? when I whispered you to bring gentlemen of your acquaintance instead of fiddlers, as my father desired you to bring, pray what did you think I intended?
Ger. Faith, e'en to make fools of the gentlemen fiddlers, as you had done of your gentleman dancing-master.
Hip. I intended 'em for our guard and defence against my father's Spanish and Guinea force, when we were to make our retreat from hence; and to help us to take the keys from my aunt, who has been the watchful porter of this house this twelve-month; and this design (if your heart do not fail you) we will put in execution as soon as you have given your friends below instructions.
Ger. Are you sure your heart will stand right still? You flinched last night, when I little expected it, I am sure.
Hip. The time last night was not so proper for us as now, for reasons I will give you. But besides that, I confess I had a mind to try whether your interest did not sway you more than your love; whether the twelve hundred pounds a-year I told you of had not made a greater impression in your heart than Hippolita: but finding it otherwise—yet hold, perhaps upon consideration you are grown wiser; can you yet, as I said, be so desperate, so out of fashion, as to steal a woman with nothing?
Ger. With you I can want nothing, nor can be made by anything more rich or happy.
Hip. Think well again; can you take me without the twelve hundred pounds a-year,—the twelve hundred pounds a-year?
Ger. Indeed, miss, now you begin to be unkind again, and use me worse than e'er you did.
Hip. Well, though you are so modest a gentleman as to suffer a wife to be put upon you with nothing, I have more conscience than to do it. I have the twelve hundred pounds a-year out of my father's power, which is yours, and I am sorry it is not the Indies to mend your bargain.