TONY. Yes, but curb her never so little, she kicks up, and you're flung in a ditch HASTINGS. Well, but you must allow her a little beauty.— Yes, you must allow her some beauty. TONY. Bandbox! She's all a made up thing, mun. Ah! could you but see Bet Bouncer of these parts, you might then talk of beauty. Ecod, she has two eyes as black as sloes, and cheeks as broad and red as a pulpit cushion. She'd make two of she. HASTINGS. Well, what say you to a friend that would take this bitter bargain off your hands? TONY. Anon. HASTINGS. Would you thank him that would take Miss Neville and leave you to happiness and your dear Betsy? TONY. Ay; but where is there such a friend, for who would take her? HASTINGS. I am he. If you but assist me, I'll engage to whip her off to France, and you shall never hear more of her. TONY. - Affist you! Ecod I will, to the last drop of my blood. I'll clap a pair of horses to your chaise that shall trundle you off in a twinkling, and may be get you a part of her fortin beside, in jewels, that you little dream of. HAST HASTINGS. My dear squire, this looks like a lad of spirit. Come along then, and you shall see more of my spirit before you have done with me. (singing). We are the boys That fears no noise Where the thundering cannons roar. END OF SECOND ACT. [Exeunt. ACT ACT III. Enter HARDCASTLE solus. HARDCASTLE. WHAT could my old friend Sir Charles mean W by recommending his son as the modestest young man in town? To me he appears the most impudent piece of brass that ever spoke with a tongue. He has taken possession of the easy chair by the fire-side already. He took off his boots in the parlour, and desired me to see them taken care of. I'm desirous to know how his impudence affects my daughter. She will certainly be fhocked at it. Enter Miss HARDCASTLE, plainly drefs'd. HARDCASTLE. Well, my Kate, I see you have changed your dress as I bid you; and yet, I believe, there was no great occasion. Miss HARDCASTLE. I find such a pleasure, Sir, in obeying your commands, that I take care to observe them without ever debating their propriety. HARDCASTLE. And yet, Kate, I sometimes give you some cause, particularly when I recommended my modest gentleman to you as a lover to-day. Miss HARDCASTLE. You taught me to expect something extraordinary, and I find the original exceeds the description. HARD HARDCASTLE. I was never so surprised in my life! He has quite confounded all my faculties! Miss HARDCASTLE. I never saw any thing like it: And a man of the world too! HARDCASTLE. Ay, he learned it all abroad,—what a fool was I, to think a young man could learn modesty by travelling. He might as soon learn wit at a maf querade. Miss HARDCASTLE. It seems all natural to him. HARDCASTLE. A good deal assisted by bad company and a French dancing-master. Miss HARDCASTLE. Sure you mistake, papa! a French dancingmaster could never have taught him that timid look, that aukward address, that bashful man ner HARDCASTLE. Whose look? whose manner? child! Miss HARDCASTLE. Mr. Marlow's his mauvaise honte, his timidity struck me at the first sight. HARDCASTLE. Then your first sight deceived you; for I think him one of the most brazen first sights that ever astonished my senses. Miss HARDCASTLE. Sure, Sir, you rally! I never saw any one fa modest. HARD HARDCASTLE. And can you be serious! I never saw such a bouncing swaggering puppy since I was born. Bully Dawson was but a fool to him. Miss HARDCASTLE. Surprizing! He met me with a respectful bow, a stammering voice, and a look fixed on the ground. HARDCASTLE. He met me with a loud voice, a lordly air, and a familiarity that made my blood freeze again. Miss HARDCASTLE. He treated me with diffidence and respect; cenfured the manners of the age; admired the prudence of girls that never laughed; tired me with apologies for being tiresome; then left the room with a bow, and, madam, I would not for the world detain you. HARD CASTLE. He spoke to me as if he knew me all his life before. Asked twenty questions, and never waited for an answer. Interrupted my best remarks with some silly pun, and when I was in my best story of the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene, he asked if I had not a good hand at making punch. Yes, Kate, he ask'd your father if he was a maker of punch! Miss HARDCASTLE. HARDCASTLE. If he be what he has shewn himself, I'm deter mined he shall never have my consent. Miss HARDCASTLE. And if he be the sullen thing I take him, he shall never have mine. |