Mifs HARDCASTLE. it Pray, Sir, keep your distance. One would think you wanted to know one's age as they do horses, by mark of mouth. MARLO W. I proteft, child, you ufe me extremely ill. If you keep me at this distance, how is it poffible you and I can be ever acquainted? Mifs HARDCASTLE. And who wants to be acquainted with you? I want no fuch acquaintance, not I. I'm fure you did not treat Mifs Hardcaftle that was here awhile ago in this obftropalous manner. I'll warrant me, beFore her you look'd dafh'd, and kept bowing to the ground, and talk'd, for all the world, as if you was before a juftice of peace. MARLOW. (Afide.) Egad! fhe has hit it, fure enough. (To ber.) In awe of her, child? Ha! ha! ha! A mere, aukward, fquinting thing, no, no. I find you don't know me. I laugh'd, and rallied her a little; but I was unwilling to be too fevere. No, I could not be too fevere, curfe me! Mifs HARD CAST L E. O! then, Sir, you are a favourite, I find, among the ladies? MARLO W. Yes, my dear, a great favourite. And yet, hang me, I don't fee what they find in me to follow. At the Ladies Club in town, I'm called their agreeable Rattle, Rattle, child, is not my real name, but one I'm known by. My name is Solomons. Mr. Solomons, my dear, at your fervice. (Offering to falute ber.) Mifs HARDCASTLE. Hold, Sir; you were introducing me to your club, not to yourfelf. And you're fo great a favourite there you say? MARLOW. Yes, my dear. There's Mrs. Mantrap, Lady Betty Blackleg, the Countess of Sligo, Mrs. Langhorns, old Mifs Biddy Buckfkin, and your hum ble fervant, keep up the fpirit of the place. 1 Mifs HARD CASTLE. Then it's a very merry place, I fuppofe. MARLOW. Yes, as merry as cards, fuppers, wine, and old woinen can make us. Mifs HARDCASTLE. And their agreeable Rattle, ha! ha! ha! (Afide) Egad! I don't quite like this chit. She looks knowing, methinks. You laugh, child! 35 Box Mits HARDCASTLE. I can't but laugh to think what time they all have for minding their work or their family. MARLO W. (Afide) All's well, the don't laugh at me. (To ber) Do you ever work, child Mifs HARD CASTLE, Ay, fure, There's not a fcreen or a quilt in the whole houfe but what can bear witnefs. MARLO W, to that. Odfo! Then you must shew me your embroidery. I embroider and draw patterns myfelf a little. If you want a judge of your work you must apply to [Seizing ber band me. Mifs HARD CASTLE. Ay, but the colours don't look well by candle light. You shall fee all in the morning. [Struggling. MARLOW. MARLOW. And why not now, my angel? Such beauty fires beyond the power of refiftance. Pfhaw! 'the father here! My old luck: I never nick'd feven that I did not throw ames ace three times following. [Exit Marlow. Enter HARDCASTLE, who ftands in furprize." HARD CASTLE. So, madam! So I find this is your modeft lover. This is your humble admirer that kept his eyes fixed on the ground, and only ador'd at humble diftance. Kate, Kate, art thou not asham'd to deceive your father fo? Mifs HARDCAST.LE. Never truft me, dear papa, but he's ftill the modest man I first took him for, you'll be convinced - of it as well as I. HARD CASTLE. By the hand of my body I believe his impudence is infectious! Didn't I fee him feize your hand? Didn't I see him hawl you about like a milk maid? and now you talk of his refpect and his modefty, forfooth! Mifs HARD CASTLE. But if I fhortly convince you of his modefty, that he has only the faults that will pals off with time, and the virtues that will improve with age, I hope you'll forgive him. HARD CASTLE. The girl would actually make one run mad! I tell you I'll not be convinced. I am convinced. He has fcarcely been three hours in the house, and he has already encroached on all my prerogatives. You may like his impudence, and call it modefty. But But my fon-in-law, madam, muft have very different qualifications. Mifs HARD CASTLE. Sir, I afk but this night to convince you. You fhall not have half the time, for I have` thoughts of turning him out this very hour. Mifs HARD CASTLE. Give me that hour then, and I hope to fatisfy you. HARDCASTLE. Well, an hour let it be then. But I'll have no trifling with your father. All fair and father. All fair and open do you mind me. འ Mifs HARD CASTLE. I hope, Sir, you have ever found that I confidered your commands as my pride; for your kindness is such, that my duty as yet has been inclination. [Exeunt. END OF THIRD ACT. ACT АСТ IV. Enter HASTINGS and Mifs NEVILLE. HASTINGS. OU furprise me! Sir Charles Marlow expected here this night? Where have you had your information ? Mifs NE VILLE. You may depend upon it. I juft faw his letter to Mr. Hardcastle, in which he tells him he intends fetting out a few hours after his fon. HASTINGS. Then, my Conftance, all must be completed before he arrives. He knows me; and fhould he find me here, would difcover my name, and perhaps my defigns, to the reft of the family. Mifs NE VILLE. The jewels, I hope, are fafe. HASTINGS. Yes, yes. I have fent them to Marlow, who keeps the keys of our baggage. In the meantime, I'll go to prepare matters for our elopement. I have had the Squire's promife of a fresh pair of horfes; and, if I thould not fee him again, will write him further directions. [Exit. Mifs NE VILLE. Well! fuccefs attend you. In the meantime, I'll go amufe my aunt with the old pretence of a violent paffion for my cousin. K [Exit. Enter |