he is obliged to me, and to me only. Besides, now it may have the face of an amour indeed, now one has something to struggle for; there's difficulty, there's danger, there's the dear spirit of contradiction in it too-Oh! I like it mightily. Col. Lamb. I am glad this does not make you think the worse of Darnley-but a father's consent might have clapt a pair of horses more to your coach perhaps, and the want of it may pinch your fortune. Charl. Burn fortune; am not I a fine woman? and have not I twenty thousand pounds in my own hands? Col. Lamb. Yes, sister, but with all your charms, you have had them in your hands almost these four years. Charl. Psha! and have not I had the full swing of my own airs and humours these four years? but if I humour my father, I warrant he'll make it three or four thousand more, with some unlick'd lout-A comfortable equivalent, truly!—No, no; let him light his pipe with his consent, if he please. Wilful against wise for a wager. Col. Lamb. Well said; nothing goes to your heart, I find. Charl. No, no; if I must have an ill match, I'll have the pleasure of playing my own game at least. Col. Lamb. But pray, sister, has my father ever proposed any other man to you? · Charl. Another man! let me know why you ask, and I'll tell you. Col. Lamb. Why, the last words he said to me were, that he had another man in his head for you. Charl. And who is it? who is it? tell me, dear brother! Col. Lamb. Why, you don't so much as seem surprised. know very little, of Charl. No; but I'm impatient, and that's as well. Col. Lamb. Why, how now, sister? Charl. Why, sure, brother, you female happiness, if you suppose the surprise of a new lover ought to shock a woman of my temper-don't you know that I am a coquette ? Col. Lamb. If you are, you are the first that ever was sincere enough to own her being so. Charl. To a lover, I grant you; but not to you; I make no more of you than a sister: I can say any thing to you. Col. Lamb. I should have been better pleased if you had not owned it to me-it's a hateful character. Charl. Ay, it's no matter for that, it's violently pleasant, and there's no law against it that I know of. Col. Lamb. Darnley's like to have a hopeful time with you. Charl. Well; but don't you really know who it is my father intends me? Col. Lamb. Not I, really; but I imagined you might, and therefore thought to advise with you about it. Charl. Nay, he has not opened his lips to me yet— are you sure he's gone out? Col. Lamb. You are very impatient to know, me B Charl. Certainly; for what have your lordly sex to boast of but your understanding, and till that's entirely surrendered to her discretion, while the least sentiment holds out against her, a woman must be downright vain to think her conquest completed? Darn. There we differ, madam; for, in my opinion, nothing but the most excessive vanity could value or desire such a conquest. Charl. Oh, d'ye hear him, brother! the creature reasons with me; nay, has the effrontery to think me in the wrong too! O lud! he'd make an horrid tyrant-positively I won't have him. Darn. Well; my comfort is, no other man will easily know whether you'll have him or not. Charl. Am I not an horrid vain, silly creature, Mr. Darnley ? Darn. A little bordering upon the baby, I must own. Charl. Laud! how can you love a body so then? but I don't think you love me tho'-do you ? Darn. Yes, faith, I do; and so shamefully, that I'm in hopes you doubt it. Charl. Poor man! he'd fain bring me to reason. Darn. I would indeed.-Nay, were it but possible to make you serious only when you should be so, I should think you the most amiable Charl. Olud! he's civil Darn. Come, come, you have good sense; use me with that, and make me what you please. Charl. Laud! I don't desire to make any thing of you, not I. dam-your most obedient-what have you got there, pray? Charl. [reading.] Her lively looks a sprightly mind disclose; Quick as her eyes, and as unfix'd as those Darn. Pray, madam, what is it? Charl. Favours to none, to all she smiles extends Darn. Nay, I will see. Charl. Oft she rejects, but never once offends. Col Lamb. Have a care: she has dipt into her own character, and she'll never forgive you if let her go through with it. Darn. I beg your pardon, madam. you don't And like the sun they shine on all alike-um-um-- Darn. That is something like, indeed. Col. Lamb. You would say so, if you knew all. Col. Lamb. Have a little patience: I'll tell you immediately. Charl. If to her share some female errors fall, Look on her face-and you'll forget them all. Is not that natural, Mr. Darnley? Darn. For a woman to expect, it is indeed. Charl. And can you blame her, when 'tis at the same time a proof of the poor man's passion, and her power? Darn. So that you think the greatest compliment a lover can make his mistress, is to give up his reason to her. Charl. Certainly; for what have your lordly sex to boast of but your understanding, and till that's entirely surrendered to her discretion, while the least sentiment holds out against her, a woman must be downright vain to think her conquest completed? Darn. There we differ, madam; for, in my opinion, nothing but the most excessive vanity could value or desire such a conquest. Charl. Oh, d'ye hear him, brother! the creature reasons with me; nay, has the effrontery to think me in the wrong too! O lud! he'd make an horrid tyrant-positively I won't have him. Darn. Well; my comfort is, no other man will easily know whether you'll have him or not. Charl. Am I not an horrid vain, silly creature, Mr. Darnley ? Darn. A little bordering upon the baby, I must own. Charl. Laud how can you love a body so then? but I don't think you love me tho'-do you ? Darn. Yes, faith, I do; and so shamefully, that I'm in hopes you doubt it. Charl. Poor man he'd fain bring me to reason. Darn. I would indeed.-Nay, were it but possible to make you serious only when you should be so, I should think you the most amiable Charl. O lud! he's civil Darn. Come, come, you have good sense; use me but with that, and make me what you please. Charl. Laud! I don't desire to make any thing of you, not I. |