ACT II.

SCENE I.

The Hall in the Castle.

Enter FLORA.

Dear me, what a pretty footman she has brought with her!—he made me such a fine bow as I past—and looked so grand—here he is.

Enter CARLOS and bows—She courtesies.

Flora. O Lord, I hope this is not a woman too! but I dare say it is—Lord what a pity! but I'll talk to him, and I shall soon be able to find out—and if he does not fall in love with me, I'll conclude it can't be a man. [ aside.

Carlos. A very pretty girl. ( aside. ) Your humble servant, my dear angel.

Flora. Too conceited for a man. ( aside. )

Carlos. May I venture, on so slight an acquaintance to protest to you—

Flora. No—he protests—'tis a man. [ aside.

Carlos. Permit me to assure you—

Flora. Sir!

Carlos. What thus takes up your attention?

Flora. A doubt I have.

Carlos. Do you entertain any doubts of me?

Flora. Yes—Indeed I do.

Carlos. What are they?

Flora. I have been trying to put this bunch of ribbons into a right form for my Lady's hair, and I hardly know how.

Carlos. Let me try. ( She gives the ribbons. )

Flora. Now shall I see by the dexterity, whether it is a woman or not. [ aside.

Carlos. There—I'll be hanged if I have not done it to a nicety. ( Returns the ribbons. )

Flora. 'Tis a woman, pshaw.

( Aside and sighing. )

Carlos. Now I must beg a kiss for my pains. ( Kisses her. )

Flora. No—it must be a man.

Carlos. My charming—

Flora. For Heaven's sake go about your business, for here comes a fellow-servant of mine.

Carlos. I am going into the grove, will you come there presently?

Flora. Yes—perhaps I may—only begone now.

Carlos. But you'll come?

Flora. Yes—I think I will.

Carlos. I shall wait for you. [ Exit.

Enter URSULA.

Ursula. So, Mrs. Flora, I give you joy of your new sweetheart—For shame, for shame, I saw what passed.

Flora. Lord bless you—it is only a woman.

Ursula. A woman!

Flora. Aye, in men's clothes, like the master, and so there could be no harm you know.

Ursula. I did not know the servant was a woman too!

Flora. Why, I am not sure of it—but I thought so when I let him kiss me, and I thought so when I promised to meet him in the grove—and I will e'en go—for I dare say 'tis only a woman.

Ursula. Aye, now I think of it again, I am sure it is not a man—Do you suppose a Lady in disguise, would take a man-servant to attend her?

Flora. Very true; and I wish, Ursula, you would go instead of me to the grove, for I am so busy just at this time—

Ursula. And yet old Jerome says, and I never knew Jerome mistaken in my life, he says it is a man—however, I am not afraid of him if it is, and I will go instead of you.

Flora. No, Ursula—I will go after all—for if it should prove a man, and he should behave rude to you, oh! my dear Ursula, I should never be happy, that I did not take it all upon myself. [ Exeunt separately.