ACT V.

SCENE [1] continues.

Enter Hastings and Servant.

Hastings. You saw the old lady and Miss Neville drive off, you say?

Servant. Yes, your honour. They went off in a post coach, and the young 'Squire went on horseback. They're thirty miles off by this

time.

Hast. Then all my hopes are over.

5

Serv. Yes, sir. Old Sir Charles is arrived. He and the old gentleman of the house have been laughing at Mr. Marlow's mistake this 10 half hour. They are coming this way.

Hast. Then I must not be seen. So now to my fruitless appointment at the bottom of the garden. This is about the time.

Enter Sir Charles and Hardcastle.

Hardcastle. Ha! ha! ha!

Exit.

The peremptory 15

tone in which he sent forth his sublime commands.

Sir Charles. And the reserve with which I suppose he treated all your advances.

Hard. And yet he might have seen something 20 in me above a common inn-keeper too.

Sir Char. Yes, Dick, but he mistook you for an uncommon innkeeper, ha! ha! ha!

Hard. Well, I'm in too good spirits to think of any thing but joy. Yes, my dear friend, this union of our families will make our personal friendships hereditary: and tho' my daughter's fortune is but small

Sir Char. Why, Dick, will you talk of fortune to me? My son is possessed of more than a competence already, and can want nothing but a good and virtuous girl to share his happiness and encrease it. If they like each other, as you say they do

25

30

Hard. If, man! I tell you they do like each 35 other. My daughter as good as told me so.

Sir Char. But girls are apt to flatter themselves, you know.

Hard. I saw him grasp her hand in the warmest manner myself; and here he comes to put 40 you out of your ifs, I warrant him.

Enter Marlow.

Marlow. I come, sir, once more, to ask pardon for my strange conduct. I can scarce reflect on my insolence without confusion.

Hard. Tut, boy, a trifle. You take it too 45

gravely. An hour or two's laughing with my
daughter will set all to rights again. She'll
never like
you the worse for it.

Marl. Sir, I shall be always proud of her approbation.

Hard. Approbation is but a cold word, Mr. Marlow; if I am not deceived, you have something more than approbation thereabouts. You take me.

50

Marl. Really, sir, I have not that happiness. 55 Hard. Come, boy, I'm an old fellow, and know what's what as well as you that are younger. I know what has past between you;

but mum.

Marl. Sure, sir, nothing has past between us 60 but the most profound respect on my side, and the most distant reserve on hers. You don't think, sir, that my impudence has been past upon all the rest of the family?

Hard. Impudence! No, I don't say that- 65 Not quite impudence-Though girls like to be play'd with, and rumpled a little, too, sometimes. But she has told no tales, I assure you.

Marl. I never gave her the slightest cause. Hard. Well, well, I like modesty in its place 70 well enough. But this is over-acting, young gentleman. You may be open. Your father and I will like you the better for it.

Marl. May I die, sir, if I ever

Hard. I tell you, she don't dislike you; and 75 as I'm sure you like her

Marl. Dear sir-I protest, sir

Hard. I see no reason why you should not be joined as fast as the parson can tie you. Marl. But hear me, sir

Hard. Your father approves the match, I admire it, every moment's delay will be doing mischief, so

80

Marl. But why won't you hear me? By all that's just and true, I never gave Miss Hard- 85 castle the slightest mark of my attachment, or even the most distant hint to suspect me of affection. We had but one interview, and that was formal, modest, and uninteresting.

Hard. (aside.) This fellow's formal, modest 90 impudence is beyond bearing.

Sir Char. And you never grasp'd her hand, or made any protestations!

Marl. As Heaven is my witness, I came down in obedience to your commands. I saw 95 the lady without emotion, and parted without reluctance. I hope you'll exact no further proofs of my duty, nor prevent me from leaving a house in which I suffer so many mortifications. Exit. Sir Char. I'm astonish'd at the air of sin-1 cerity with which he parted.

100

Hard. And I'm astonish'd at the deliberate intrepidity of his assurance.

Sir Char. I dare pledge my life and honour upon his truth.

Hard. Here comes my daughter, and I would stake my happiness upon her veracity.

Enter Miss Hardcastle.

105

Hard. Kate, come hither, child. Answer us sincerely, and without reserve; has Mr. Marlow made you any professions of love and affection? 110 Miss Hardcastle. The question is very abrupt, sir! But since you require unreserved sincerity, I think he has.

Hard. (to Sir Charles.) You see.

Sir Char. And pray, madam, have you and 115 my son had more than one interview?

Miss Hard. Yes, sir, several.

Hard. (to Sir Charles.) You see.

Sir Char. But did he profess any attachment?
Miss Hard. A lasting one.

Sir Char. Did he talk of love ?

Miss Hard. Much, sir.

Sir Char. Amazing. And all this formally?
Miss Hard. Formally.

120

Hard. Now, my friend, I hope you are satis-125 fied.

Sir Char. And how did he behave, madam?