_Arch._ Yes, sir! [_Exit, lighted by_ ARCHER.
_Bon._ Ay, child, you must lay by this box for the gentleman, 'tis full of money.
_Cher._ Money! all that money! why sure, father, the gentleman comes to be chosen parliament man. Who is he?
_Bon._ I don't know what to make of him; he talks of keeping his horses ready saddled, and of going, perhaps, at a minute's warning; or of staying, perhaps, till the best part of this be spent.
_Cher._ Ay! ten to one, father, he's a highwayman.
_Bon._ A highwayman! upon my life, girl, you have hit it, and this box is some new purchased booty.--Now, could we find him out, the money were ours.
_Bon._ A black! ten to one the man upon the black mare: and since he don't belong to our fraternity, we may betray him with a safe conscience: I don't think it lawful to harbour any rogues but my own. Lookye, child, as the saying is, we must go cunningly to work; proofs we must have; the gentleman's servant loves drink; I'll ply him that way, and ten to one he loves a wench; you must work him t'other way.
_Cher._ Father, would you have me give my secret for his?
_Bon._ Consider, child, there's two hundred pound, to boot. [_Ringing without._] Coming, coming--child, mind your business. [_Exit_ BONIFACE.
_Cher._ What a rogue is my father! My father! I deny it----My mother was a good, generous, free-hearted woman, and I can't tell how far her goodnature might have extended for the good of her children. This landlord of mine, for I think I can call him no more, would betray his guest, and debauch his daughter into the bargain,----by a footman too!
_Arch._ What footman, pray, mistress, is so happy as to be the subject of your contemplation?
_Cher._ Whoever he is, friend, he'll be but little the better for't.
_Arch._ I hope so, for, I'm sure, you did not think of me.
_Arch._ Why then you're but even with me; for the minute I came in, I was considering in what manner I should make love to you.
_Cher._ Child! manners; if you kept a little more distance, friend, it would become you much better.
_Arch._ Distance! good night, saucebox. [_Going._
_Cher._ A pretty fellow; I like his pride.--Sir--pray, sir--you see, sir. [ARCHER _returns_.] I have the credit to be entrusted with your master's fortune here, which sets me a degree above his footman; I hope, sir, you an't affronted.