ut then who loves you like
A father? You ought not to try me thus;
Indeed you ought not. Come, my dear, we'll go,
And find your cousin. [_FLORENCE hesitates._] Hey! not now? Beware,
'Tis better now! no nonsense. Come, come, come.
You know you can do what you please with me,
But then you must be more obedient--so!
[_Going slowly, R._]
Your hand! You do me harm, girl! with this strife.
Gently--your cousin never frets me thus. [_Exeunt, R._]

[_Enter BASIL reading a letter, WILLIAM following, L.
FLORENCE returns, R., and steals behind them, and
listens to their conversation._]

_Basil._ [_With a letter in his hand._] Good William,
thou shalt drink to me. [_Gives him money._]
And art thou still called thirsty William?

_Will._ What answer shall I bear to my master?

_Basil._ Thy master? 'Tis a good youth, though a
wild--I hope he be well. Yet, frankly, I would that
he had not just now returned. Our uncle is so violent,
and will not hear his name. Arthur hath been so
imprudent, loose, eh? William, I regret the old man
hath heard of these things.

_Will._ My master is a very Puritan, sir!

_Basil._ [_Aside._] Let his worth go begging, then--but
he will soon be bad as his fortunes demand. Your
poverty-stricken gentlemen were better on the coast of
Barbary than in this civilized country. And whatever
he do, he shall be judged harshly. [_Aloud to William._]

I doubt not--Lies, lies; I said so at the time. Then
you see my cousin Florence, a simple girl, trembles
at his very name. You cannot wonder at it;--such
stories have been told. Confess now, William, thy
master hath been a prodigal. Doth he pay thy wages?
Thou art scurvily clad. I have a place now--as it were.

_Will._ I desire no better, sir! I thank you, than
where I am.

_Basil._ Oh! I did not mean unless you had left my
brother first. Now, he desireth a thousand pound.
Simply I have it not. There is no rent paid now.
I would he had written rather than come. I will
give him five hundred that I have, if he will pledge
me his honourable word to leave England for five
years. Are there not wars abroad whereby men live?--

_Will._ And die!

_Basil._ I would I could see him. But I have
promised mine uncle not, and he cannot bear any shock
to his health. Go, tell him this.

_Will._ Worshipful Master Basil! you will excuse
me, but I must speak my master's mind. He saith
he hath signed away his inheritance to thee,