a book for an hour together, and they said they liked the book the better the more it made them cry. Hast. Then you're no friend to the ladies, I find, my pretty young gentleman ? Tony. That's as I find 'um. Hast. Not to her of your mother's chusing, I dare answer? And appears to me a pretty, well-tempered girl. yet she 805 Tony. That's because you don't know her as 810 well as I. Ecod! I know every inch about her; and there's not a more bitter, cantanckerous toad in all Christendom! Hast. (aside.) Pretty encouragment, this, for a lover! Tony. I have seen her since the height of that. She has as many tricks as a hare in a thicket, or a colt the first day's breaking. Hast. To me she appears sensible and silent! Tony. Ay, before company. But when she's with her play-mates, she's as loud as a hog in a gate. Hast. But there is a meek modesty about her that charms me. Tony. Yes, but curb her never so little, she kicks up, and you're flung in a ditch. Hast. Well, but you must allow her a lit 815 820 825 tle beauty. Yes, you must allow her some beauty. 830 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 835 two of she. Hast. Well, what say you to a friend that would take this bitter bargain off your hands? Tony. Anon. Hast. Would you thank him that would take 840 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? Hast. I am he. If you but assist me, I'll en-845 gage to whip her off to France, and you shall never hear more of her. Tony. Assist 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 a850 twinkling, and may be get you a part of her fortin besides, in jewels, that you little dream of. Hast. My dear Squire, this looks like a lad of spirit. Tony. Come along then, and you shall see 855 ACT III. [SCENE: the House.] Enter Hardcastle, solus. Hardcastle. What could my old friend Sir Charles mean 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 pos- 5 session 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 shocked at it. Enter Miss Hardcastle, plainly dressed. Hard. Well, my Kate, I see you have changed your dress as I bid you; and yet, I believe, there was no great occasion. ΙΟ Miss Hardcastle. I find such a pleasure, sir, in obeying your commands, that I take care to 15 observe them without ever debating their propriety. Hard. And yet, Kate, I sometimes give you some cause, particularly when I recommended my modest gentleman to you as a lover to-day. 20 Miss Hard. You taught me to expect something extraordinary, and I find the original exceeds the description! Hard. I was never so surprized in my life! He has quite confounded all my faculties! 25 Miss Hard. I never saw any thing like it! And a man of the world, too! Hard. 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 30 wit at a masquerade. Miss Hard. It seems all natural to him. Hard. A good deal assisted by bad company and a French dancing-master. Miss Hard. Sure, you mistake, papa! a 35 French dancing-master could never have taught him that timid look,-that aukward address,that bashful manner Hard. Whose look, whose manner, child? Miss Hard. Mr. Marlow's : his mauvaise 40 honte, his timidity struck me at the first sight. Hard. Then your first sight deceived you; for I think him one of the most brazen first sights that ever astonished my senses! Miss Hard. Sure, sir, you rally! I never 45 saw any one so modest. Hard. And can you be serious! I never saw such a bouncing, swaggering puppy since I |