“Faith, ladies, the more I look on ye, the less I comprehend ye. When a lady is young, rich, and pretty as you are, she is not reduced to artifice: moreover, I declare sincerely, that I sell them no longer. I have left the dealing in those baubles to young beginners in the trade.”

Our devouts found the Toyman’s mistake so ridiculous, that they both burst out into a violent fit of laughter, which disconcerted him. “Permit me, ladies, to make my bow, and withdraw. You might well have spared yourselves the trouble of sending for me three miles off, to divert yourselves at my cost.”

“Stop, stop, friend,” said Zelida, still laughing on. “That was not our intention. But by your misapprehending us, such ridiculous notions came into your head.”

“ ’Tis in your power, ladies, to put juster into it. What is the business?”

“Oh! Mr. Frenicol, let me laugh at ease, before I answer you.”