Part 42 (2/2)

_At Mrs. Warder's.... A smart, good-looking man-servant, Jenks, shows in Mrs. Lindon and Laura Fraser. The former is a handsome, nervous, overstrung woman of about thirty-four, very fas.h.i.+onably dressed; Miss Fraser, on the contrary, a matter-of-fact, rather commonplace type of good humor--wholesomeness united to a kind of sense of humor....

Mrs. Lindon nervously picks up check-book from the writing-table, looks at it but not in it, and puts it down....

She opens the cigar box on the writing-table behind her and then bangs it shut....

She picks up stamp box and bangs it down.

Rises and goes to mantel, looking at the fly-leaves of two books on a table which she pa.s.ses._

Does not the action of this extract from Middleton's _A Chaste Maid in Cheapside_ help most in depicting the greed and dishonesty of Yellowhammer, as well as the humor and ingenuity of the suitor?

_Touchwood junior._ (_Aside._) 'Twere a good mirth now to set him a-work To make her wedding-ring; I must about it: Rather than the gain should fall to a stranger, 'Twas honesty in me t' enrich my father.

_Yellowhammer._ (_Aside._) The girl is wondrous peevish. I fear nothing But that she's taken with some other love, Then all's quite dashed: that must be narrowly looked to; We cannot be too wary in our children.-- What is't you lack?

_Touch. jun._ O, nothing now; all that I wish is present: I'd have a wedding-ring made for a gentlewoman With all speed that may be.

_Yel._ Of what weight, sir?

_Touch. jun._ Of some half ounce, stand fair And comely with the spark of a diamond; Sir, 'twere pity to lose the least grace.

_Yel._ Pray, let's see it. (_Takes stone from Touchwood junior._) Indeed, sir 'tis a pure one.

_Touch. jun._ So is the mistress.

_Yel._ Have you the wideness of her finger, sir?

_Touch. jun._ Yes, sure, I think I have her measure about me: Good faith, 'tis down, I cannot show it to you; I must pull too many things out to be certain.

Let me see--long and slender, and neatly jointed; Just such another gentlewoman--that's your daughter, sir?

_Yel._ And therefore, sir, no gentlewoman.

_Touch. jun._ I protest.

I ne'er saw two maids handed more alike; I'll ne'er seek farther, if you'll give me leave, sir.

_Yel._ If you dare venture by her finger, sir.

_Touch. jun._ Ay, and I'll bide all loss, sir.

_Yel._ Say you so, sir?

Let us see.--Hither, girl.

_Touch. jun._ Shall I make bold With your finger, gentlewoman?

_Moll._ Your pleasure, sir.

_Touch. jun._ That fits her to a hair, sir.

(_Trying ring on Moll's finger._)

_Yel._ What's your posy, now, sir?

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