was, I don't think him any more to compare to you, than a thistle is to a carnation: and so's a sign; for, mark my words—my lady loves you as much as she hates him. Lionel What you tell me, Jenny, is a thing I neither merit nor expect: No, I am unhappy, and let me continue so; my most presumptuous thoughts shall never carry me to a wish that may affect her quiet, or give her cause to repent. Jenny. That's very honourable of you, I must needs say! but, for all that, liking's liking, and one can't help it; and if it should be my lady's case, it is no fault of yours. I am sure, when she called me into her dressing-room, before she went down to dinner, there she stood with her eyes brimful of tears; and so I fell a-crying for company-and then she said she could not abide the chap in the parlour; and, at the same time, she bid me take an opportunity to speak to you, and desire you to meet her in the garden this evening after tea; for she has something to say to you. Lionel. Jenny, I see you are my friend; for which I thank you, though I know it is impossible to do me any service; take this ring, and wear it for my sake.. Jenny. I am very much obliged to your honour; I am your friend, indeed ;-but, I say, you won't forget to be in the garden now; and, in the mean time, keep as little in the house as you can-for walls have eyes and ears; and I can tell you the servants take notice of your uneasiness, though I am always desiring them to mind their business. Lionel. Pray have a care, Jenny, have a care, my dear girl-a word may breed suspicion. Jenny. Pshaw! have a care yourself: it is you that breeds suspicion, sighing and pining about; you look for all the world like a ghost; and, if you don't pluck up your spirits, you will be a ghost soon; letting things get the better of you. Though, to be sure, when I thinks with myself, being crossed in love is a terrible thing.There was a young man in the town where I was born, made away with himself upon the account of it. Lionel. Things sha'n't get the better of me, Jenny. Jenny. No more they don't ought. And once again I say, fortune is thrown in your dish, and you are not to fling it out; my lady's estate will be better than three bishopricks, if Sir John could give them to you. Think of that, Mr Lionel-think of that, Lionel. Think of what? AIR. Oh talk not to me of the wealth she possesses, By love, only love, should our souls be cemented; Enter COLONEL OLDBOY. Col. O. Very well, my lady, I'll come again to you presently, I am only going into the garden for a mouthful of air.-Ha! ha! my little Abigail !Here, Molly! Jenny! Betty! What's your name?— Why don't you answer me, hussy, when I call you? Jenny. If you want any thing, sir, I'll call one of the footmen. Col. O. The footmen! the footmen! Damn me, I never knew one of them, in my life, that wouldn't prefer a rascal to a gentleman.-Come here, you slut, put your hands about my neck, and kiss me. was, I don't think him any more to compare to you, than a thistle is to a carnation: and so's a sign; for, mark my words-my lady loves you as much as she hates him. Lionel What you tell me, Jenny, is a thing I neither merit nor expect: No, I am unhappy, and let me continue so; my most presumptuous thoughts shall never carry me to a wish that may affect her quiet, or give her cause to repent. Jenny. That's very honourable of you, I must needs say! but, for all that, liking's liking, and one can't help it; and if it should be my lady's case, it is no fault of yours. I am sure, when she called me into her dressing-room, before she went down to dinner, there she stood with her eyes brimful of tears ; and so I fell a-crying for company-and then she said she could not abide the chap in the parlour; and, at the same time, she bid me take an opportunity to speak to you, and desire you to meet her in the garden this evening after tea; for she has something to say to you. Lionel. Jenny, I see you are my friend; for which I thank you, though I know it is impossible to do me any service; take this ring, and wear it for my sake. Jenny. I am very much obliged to your honour; I am your friend, indeed;-but, I say, you won't forget to be in the garden now; and, in the mean time, keep as little in the house as you can-for walls have eyes and ears; and I can tell you the servants take notice of your uneasiness, though I am always desiring them to mind their business. Lionel. Pray have a care, Jenny, have a care, my dear girl-a word may breed suspicion. Jenny. Pshaw! have a care yourself: it is you that breeds suspicion, sighing and pining about; you look for all the world like a ghost; and, if you don't pluck up your spirits, you will be a ghost soon; letting things get the better of you. Though, to be sure, when I thinks with myself, being crossed in love is a terrible thing.There was a young man in the town where I was born, made away with himself upon the account of it. Lionel. Things sha'n't get the better of me, Jenny. Jenny. No more they don't ought. And once again I say, fortune is thrown in your dish, and you are not to fling it out; my lady's estate will be better than three bishopricks, if Sir John could give them to you. Think of that, Mr Lionel-think of that. Lionel. Think of what? AIR. Oh talk not to me of the wealth she possesses By love, only love, should our souls be cemented; Enter COLONEL Oldboy. Col. O. Very well, my lady, I'll come again to you presently, I am only going into the garden for a mouthful of air.-Ha! ha! my little Abigail !. Here, Molly! Jenny! Betty! What's your name?Why don't you answer me, hussy, when I call you? Jenny. If you want any thing, sir, I'll call one of the footmen. I Col. O. The footmen! the footmen! Damn me, never knew one of them, in my life, that wouldn't prefer a rascal to a gentleman.-Come here, you slut, put your hands about my neck, and kiss me. Jenny. Who, I, sir? Col. O. Ay, here's money for you; what the devil are you afraid of? I'll take you into keeping; you shall go and live at one of my tenant's houses. Jenny. I wonder you aren't ashamed, sir, to make an honest girl any such proposal; you, that have a worthy gentlewoman, nay, a lady, of your own.-To be sure, she's a little stricken in years; but why shouldn't she grow elderly as well as yourself? Col. O. Burn a lady! I love a pretty girl Jenny. Well, then, you may go look for one, sir. -I have no pretensions to that title. Col. O. Why, you pert baggage, you don't know me? Jenny. What do you pinch my fingers for ?—Yes, yes, I know you well enough; and your charekter's well known all over the country, running after poor young creatures, as you do, to ruinate them. Col. O. What, then people say Jenny. Indeed, they talk very bad of you; and, whatever you may think, sir, though I'm in a menial station, I'm come of people that wou'dn't see me put upon; there are those that would take my part against the proudest he in the land, that should offer any thing uncivil. Col. O. Well, come, let me know now, how does your young lady like my son? Jenny. You want to pump me, do you? I suppose, you would know whether I can keep my tongue within my teeth. Col. O. She doesn't like him then? Jenny. I don't say so, sir-Isn't this a shame now? I suppose, to-morrow or next day, it will be reported that Jenny has been talking-Jenny said that and t'other-But here, sir, I ax you, did I tell you any such thing? Col. O. Why, yes, you did. Jenny. Id bless me! how can you |