and that
he expects this small gift, ere he comes among ye.
He is but in sorry plight of dress, and he hath ever
shown much affection for you.

_Basil._ Does he threaten? Hark ye, I owe him
nought. Let justice be done. The fortune was mine
by birth. Our father acted basely. My brother did
very properly restore it. Shall he boast of a bare act
of justice? He hath no claim on me. Shall I
furnish his profligacies, his expenses, his foreign
debaucheries, because I have gotten back mine own?

_Will._ You will not see him?--

_Basil._ No!

_Will._ Nor send him the money?--

_Basil_. No! except with the proviso I told thee of.

_Will._ You have no other message?--

_Basil._ No!

_Will._ Oh! Well, sir, I think the execution of my
barren commission needs no farther stay. Touching
that small portion of mammon wherewith thou wouldst
endow my master's passage across the seas, in his
name I will venture to refuse the gratility.

_Basil._ Wouldst jest, villain? There are stocks!
Back to the beggar that sent thee. [_Exit R._]

[_WILLIAM going, L., FLORENCE approaches him from behind._]

_Flor._ Good friend! I have heard something of
your discourse. I would fain see thy master.

_Will._ Art thou not his cousin, lady?

_Flor._ I am.

_Will._ He hath often spoken of thee far hence.

_Flor._ We were children together. Is his temper
sweet as it used to be? Hath he grown taller? I
have much to say to him. Is he sunburnt? Doth
he wear a beard? They say much ill of him.

_Will._ Lady! believe it not; [_aside_]--for I affect
much his society. [_Aloud._] He is a good master and
kind, though of a strange mood. For women, he
cannot abear them.

_Flor._ Indeed! Good friend, nevertheless I must
see your master. Bring me to him.

_Will._ I am going to the inn, where he awaits me.
Will it please you to meet me opposite the old barn in
two hours?

_Flor._ I will, I will, for I need his advice much.
I am sore distressed. Here is for thee. Lose no time!
[_Gives him money._] Farewell! [_Exit R._]

_Will._ By'r lady, angels! both of them. [_Exit L._]

SCENE III.

_An extensile landscape, with a road on the L;
overhung with foliage. A Country Inn, U.E.R. Table,
chairs, villagers sitting, a waiter bringing in
refreshments during the symphony of the following_

GLEE and CHORUS.

Cold, oh! cold the March winds be;
High up in a leafless tree
The little bir