315
know not how you would oblige me, by settling these trifles. I will rather want the diamond ear-rings, indeed I will. I will rather do any thing than speak to my father now, he is so peevish and so cross."
"But I tell you I can't, upon my faith, my love, I can't," returned Mollins; "my steward has run off, and I know not when I may get a remittance. I would not tell you before for vexing you, though it is of very little consequence; for I shall not lose more than a few hundreds by the rascal. But it puts me to present inconvenience. Pray ask the old gentleman for a hundred pounds at once. It will oblige me. Pray do, and these bills shall be paid directly."
"A hundred pounds!" cried Bell; "Why, my dear Mollins, I imagine you believe my father thinks as little of a hundred pounds as you do."
"O the old curmudgeon!" cried Mollins; "I forgot what a close hunks he
