n, if you think fitting. You may dispose of
your own flesh as you think fitting, d'ye see, but, by the Lord Harry,
I'll leave you. [_Stealing away upon his tip-toes_.]

BLUFF. Prodigious! What, will you forsake your friend in extremity? You
can't in honour refuse to carry him a challenge. [_Almost whispering_,
_and treading softly after him_.]

SIR JO. Prithee, what do you see in my face that looks as if I would
carry a challenge? Honour is your province, captain; take it. All the
world know me to be a knight, and a man of worship.

SET. I warrant you, sir, I'm instructed.

SHARP. Impossible! Araminta take a liking to a fool? [_Aloud_.]

SET. Her head runs on nothing else, nor she can talk of nothing else.

SHARP. I know she commanded him all the while we were in the Park; but I
thought it had been only to make Vainlove jealous.

SIR JO. How's this! Good bully, hold your breath and let's hearken.
Agad, this must be I.

SHARP. Death, it can't be. An oaf, an idiot, a wittal.

SIR JO. Ay, now it's out; 'tis I, my own individual person.

SHARP. A wretch that has flown for shelter to the lowest shrub of
mankind, and seeks protection from a blasted coward.

SIR JO. That's you, bully back. [BLUFFE _frowns upon_ SIR JOSEPH.]

SHARP. She has given Vainlove her promise to marry him before to-morrow
morning. Has she not? [_To_ SETTER.]

SET. She has, sir; and I have it in charge to attend her all this
evening, in order to conduct her to the place appointed.

SHARP. Well, I'll go and inform your master; and do you press her to
make all the haste imaginable.

SCENE VII.

SETTER, SIR JOSEPH, BLUFFE.

SET. Were I a rogue now, what a noble prize could I dispose of! A
goodly pinnace, richly laden, and to launch forth under my auspicious
convoy. Twelve thousand pounds and all her rigging, besides what lies
concealed under hatches. Ha! all this committed to my care! Avaunt,
temptation! Setter, show thyself a person of worth; be true to thy
trust, and be reputed honest. Reputed honest! Hum: is that all? Ay;
for to be honest is nothing; the reputation of it is all. Reputation!
what have such poor rogues as I to do with reputation? 'tis above us; and
for men of quality, they are above it; so that reputation is even as
foolish a thing as honesty. And, for my part, if I meet Sir Joseph with
a purse of gold in his hand, I'll dispose of mine to the best advantage.

SIR JO. Heh, heh