_Re-enter JUSTINE, holding a purse in her hand._
d.i.c.k--(_bowing._)
Much obliged, my lady; I hopes to give satisfaction, but (_looking with admiration at LADY AMARANTHE"s foot as it rests on the footstool_) such a pretty, little, delicate, beautiful foot as yon, I never fitted in all my born days. It can"t cost your ladyship much in shoe leather, I guess?
LADY AMARANTHE--(_smiling complacently._)
Rather more than you would imagine, I fancy, my good friend.
JUSTINE.
Comment donc--ce Monsieur d.i.c.k, fait aussi des complimens a Madame? Il ne manque pas de gout,--(_aside_) et il sait ce qu"il fait, apparemment.
LADY AMARANTHE--(_glancing at her foot._)
C"est a dire--il a du bon sens, et ne parle pas mal. (_She takes the purse._) As you so civilly obliged me, you must allow me to make you some return.
d.i.c.k--(_putting his hand behind him._)
Me, ma"am! I"m sure I don"t want to be paid for being civil.
LADY AMARANTHE.
But as I have deprived you of a pleasure, my good friend, some amends surely--
d.i.c.k.
Oh, ma"am, pray don"t mention it; my wife"s a little tired and sleepy sometimes of a morning, and if I didn"t sing her out of bed, I do think she would, by chance, snooze away till six o"clock, like any d.u.c.h.ess; but a pinch or a shake or a kiss will do as well, may be: and (_earnestly_) she"s, for all that, the best woman in the world.
LADY AMARANTHE--(_smiling._)
I can believe it, though she _does_ sleep till six o"clock like a d.u.c.h.ess. Well, my good friend, there are five guineas in this purse; the purse is my own work; and I request you will present it to your wife from me, with many thanks for your civility.
d.i.c.k--(_confused._)
Much obliged, much obliged, but I can"t, I can"t indeed, my lady. Five guineas! O Lord! I should never know what to do with such a power of money.
LADY AMARANTHE.
Your wife will not say the same, depend upon it; she will find some use for it.
d.i.c.k.
My Meg, poor woman! she never had so much money in all her life.
LADY AMARANTHE.
I must insist upon it; you will offend me.
JUSTINE--(_taking the purse out of her lady"s hand, and forcing it upon d.i.c.k._)
Dieux! est-il bete!--you no understand?--It is de gold and de silver money (_laughing._) Comme il a l"air ebahi!
d.i.c.k--(_putting up the money._)
Many thanks, and I pray G.o.d bless your ladyship!
LADY AMARANTHE--(_gaily._)
Good morning, Mr. d.i.c.k. Remember me to your wife.
d.i.c.k.
I will, my lady. I wish your ladyship, and you, miss, a good morning.
(_To himself._) Five guineas!--what will Meg say?--Now I"ll be a master shoemaker. (_Going out in an ecstasy, he knocks his head against the wall._)
LADY AMARANTHE.
Take care, friend. Montrez-lui la porte, Justine!
JUSTINE.
Mais venez donc, Monsieur d.i.c.k--par ici--et n"allez pas donner le nez contre la porte!
[_d.i.c.k follows JUSTINE out of the door, after making several bows._
LADY AMARANTHE.
Poor man!--well, he"s silenced--he does not look as if he would sing, morning or night, for the next twelve months.
_Re-enter JUSTINE._
JUSTINE.
Voici Madame Mincetaille, qui vient pour essayer la robe-de-bal de madame.
LADY AMARANTHE.
Ah! allons donc.
[_They go out._
_The SCENE changes to the Cobbler"s Garret._
_Enter MARGERY, in haste; a basket in her hand. She looks about her._
MARGERY.