t in Christendom.

_Aur._ I'll put you out of your tune, with a vengeance to you.
[_As_ AURELIAN _kicks harder,_ BENITO _sings faster, and sometimes
cries out._

_Cam._ holding _Aur._ Nay, then, 'tis time to stickle[2]. Hold,
Aurelian, pr'ythee spare Benito, you know we have occasion for him.

_Aur._ I think that was well kicked.

_Ben._ And I think that was well sung too.

_Cam._ Enough, Aurelian.

_Ben._ No, sir; let him proceed to discourage virtue and see what will
come on it.

_Cam._ Now to our business. But we must first instruct Benito.

_Aur._ Be ruled by me, and do not trust him. I prophesy he'll spoil
the whole affair; he has a worm in his head as long as a conger, a
brain so barren of all sense, and yet so fruitful of foolish plots,
that if he does not all things his own way, yet at least he'll ever be
mingling his designs with yours, and go halves with you; so that, what
with his ignorance, what with his plotting, he'll be sure to ruin you
with an intention to serve you. For my part, I had turned him off long
since, but that my wise father commanded the contrary.

_Cam._ Still you speak, as if what we did were choice, and not
necessity. You know their uncle is suspicious of me, and consequently
jealous of all my servants; but if we employ yours, who is not
suspected, because you are a stranger, I doubt not to get an
assignation with the younger sister.

_Aur._ Well, use your own way, Camillo: but if it ever succeed with
his management--

_Cam._ You must understand then, Benito, that this old Signior Mario
has two nieces, with one of which I am desperately in love, and--

_Ben._ [_Aside to him._] I understand you already, sir, and you desire
love reciprocal. Leave your business in my hands; and, if it succeed
not, think me no wiser than my master.

_Cam._ Pray take me with you. These sisters are great beauties, and
vast fortunes; but, by a clause in their father's will, if they marry
without their uncle's consent, are to forfeit all. Their uncle, who is
covetous and base to the last degree, takes advantage of this clause;
and, under pretence of not finding fit matches for them, denies his
consent to all who love them.

_Ben._ Denies them marriage! Very good, sir.

_Cam._ More than this, he refuses access to any suitor, and immures
them in a mean apartment on the garden side, where he barbarously
debars them from all human society.

_Ben._ Uses them most barbarously! Still better