My dear papa, fay no more, (kissing his hand) he's mine, I'll have him.

HARDCASTLE.

And, to crown all, Kate, he's one of the most bafhful and referved young fellows in all the world. Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Eh! you have frozen me to death again. That word referved, has undone all the reft of his accomplishments. A referved lover, it is faid, always makes a fufpicious husband,

HARDCASTLE.

On the contrary, modefty feldom refides in a breaft that is not enriched with nobler virtues. It was the very feature in his character that firft ftruck

me.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

He must have more ftriking features to catch me, I promise you. However, if he be fo young, fo handfome, and fo every thing, as you mention, I believe he'll do ftill, I think I'll have him.

HARDCASTLE.

Aye, Kate, but there is ftill an obftacle. It's more than an even wager, he may not have you. Mifs HARDCASTLE.

My dear papa, why will you mortify one fo?Well, if he refufes, inftead of breaking my heart at his indifference, I'll only break my glafs for its flattery. Set my cap to fome newer fashion, and look out for fome less difficult admirer,

HARDCASTLE,

Bravely refolved! In the mean time I'll go prepare the fervants for his reception; as we feldom fee company, they want as much training as a company of recruits, the first day's mufter.

Mifs HARDCASTLE, fola.

[Exit.

Lud, this news of papa's puts me all in a flutter. Young, handfome; thefe he put laft? but I put them foremost. Senfible, good-natured; I like all that. But then referved, and fheepish, that's much against him. Yet can't he be cured of his timidity, by being taught to be proud of his wife? Yes, and can't I-But I vow I'm difpofing of the hufband, before I have fecur'd the lover.

Enter

Enter Mifs NEVILLE.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

I'm glad you're come, Neville, my dear. Tell me, Conftance, how do I look this evening? Is there any thing whimsical about me? Is it one of my well looking days, child? am I in face today?

Mifs NEVILLE.

Perfectly, my dear. Yet now I look again—bless me!-fure no accident has happened among the canary birds or the gold fishes. Has your brother or the cat been medling? or has the last novel been too moving?

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

No; nothing of all this. I have been threatened -I can scarce get it out-I have been threatened with a lover.

And his name

Mifs NEVILLE.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Is Marlow.

Mifs NEVILLE.

Indeed!

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

The fon of Sir Charles Marlow.

Mifs NEVILLE.

As I live, the most intimate friend of Mr. Haft

ings, my admirer. They are never afunder. I

believe

believe you must have seen him when we lived in

town.

Never.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Mifs NEVILLE.

He's a very fingular character, I affure you. Among women of reputation and virtue, he is the modefteft man alive; but his acquaintance give him a very different character among creatures of another ftamp: you understand me.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

An odd character, indeed. I fhall never be able to manage him. What fhall I do? Pfhaw, think no more of him, but truft to occurrences for fuccefs. But how goes on your own affair, my dear? has my mother been courting you for my brother Tony, as ufual?

Mifs NEVILLE.

I have just come from one of our agreeable têtea-têtes. She has been faying a hundred tender things, and fetting off her pretty monfter as the very pink of perfection,

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

And her partiality is fuch, that fhe actually thinks him fo. A fortune like yours is no fmall temptation. Befides, as he has the fole management of it, I'm not furprized to fee her unwilling to let it go out of the family.

VOL. II.

L

Mifs

Mifs NEVILLE.

A fortune like mine, which chiefly confifts in jewels, is no fuch mighty temptation. But at any rate if my dear Haftings be but conftant, I make no doubt to be too hard for her at laft. However, I let her fuppofe that I am in love with her fon, and she never once dreams that my affections are fixed upon another.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

My good brother holds out ftoutly. I could almoft love him for hating you so,

Mifs NEVILLE.

It is a good-natured creature at bottom, and I'm fure would wish to see me married to any body but himfelf. But my aunt's bell rings for our afternoon's walk round the improvements, Allons! Courage is neceffary as our affairs are critical.

Mifs HARDCASTLE,

"Would it were bed time and all were well,"

[Exeunt.

SCENE, an Ale-houfe Room. Several fhabby fellows, with punch and tobacco. TONY at the Head of the Table, a little higher than the rest: a mallet in his hand.

OMNES.

Hurrea hurrea! hurrea! bravo!

FIRST FELLOW.

Now gentlemen, filence for a fong. The 'fquire is going to knock himself down for a song.

OMNES,