페이지 이미지
PDF
ePub
[graphic][merged small]

"Ay, there goes a pair that only spoil each other."

Miss Hard. I protest, Sir, I don't comprehend your meaning.

Hard. Then to be plain with you, Kate, I expect the young gentleman I have chosen to be your husband from town this very day. I have his father's letter, in which he 5 informs me his son is set out, and that he intends to follow himself shortly after.

It's a

Miss Hard. Indeed! I wish I had known something of this before. Bless me, how shall I behave? thousand to one I shan't like him; our meeting will be so 10 formal, and so like a thing of business, that I shall find no room for friendship or esteem.

Hard. Depend upon it, child, I never will control your choice! but Mr. Marlow, whom I have pitched upon, is the son of my old friend, Sir Charles Marlow, of 15 whom you have heard me talk so often. The young

gentleman has been bred a scholar, and is designed for an employment in the service of his country. I am told he's a man of an excellent understanding.

Miss Hard. Is he?

Hard. Very generous.

Miss Hard. I believe I shall like him.

Hard. Young and brave.

20

Miss Hard. I'm sure I shall like him.

Hard. And very handsome.

25

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

Hard. And, to crown all, Kate, he's one of the most bashful and reserved young fellows in all the world.

Miss Hard. Eh! you have frozen me to death again. 30 That word 'reserved' has undone all the rest of his accom

5

ΤΟ

plishments. A reserved lover it is said always makes a suspicious husband.

Hard. On the contrary, modesty seldom resides in a breast that is not enriched with nobler virtues. It was the very feature in his character that first struck me.

Miss Hard. He must have more striking features to catch me, I promise you. However, if he be so young, and so everything as you mention, I believe he'll do still. I think I'll have him.

Hard. Ay, Kate, but there is still an obstacle. It's more than an even wager he may not have you.

Miss Hard. My dear papa, why will you mortify one so? Well, if he refuses, instead of breaking my heart at his indifference, I'll only break my glass for its flattery, 15 set my cap to some newer fashion, and look out for some less difficult admirer.

Hard. Bravely resolved! In the mean time I'll go prepare the servants for his reception: as we seldom see company, they want as much training as a company of 20 recruits the first day's muster.

[Exit.

Miss Hard. (Alone.) Lud, this news of papa's puts me all in a flutter. Young, handsome; these he put last; but I put them foremost. Sensible, good-natured; I like all that. But then reserved and sheepish, that's 25 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 disposing of the husband, before I have secured the lover.

Enter MISS NEVILLE.

Miss Hard. I'm glad you're come, Neville, my dear. 30 Tell me, Constance, 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 to-day?

[ocr errors]

Miss Nev. Perfectly, my dear. Yet now I look again - bless me ! sure no accident has happened among the canary birds or the gold fishes. Has your brother or the 5 cat been meddling? or has the last novel been too moving? Miss Hard. No; nothing of all this. I have been threatened I can scarce get it out - I have been threat

[blocks in formation]

Miss Hard. The son of Sir Charles Marlow.

[ocr errors]

Miss Nev. As I live, the most intimate friend of Mr. Hastings, my admirer. They are never asunder. 15 I believe you must have seen him when we lived in town. Miss Hard.

Never.

Miss Nev. He's a very singular character, I assure you. Among women of reputation and virtue he is the modestest man alive; but his acquaintance give him 20 a very different character among creatures of another stamp: you understand me.

Miss Hard. An odd character, indeed. I shall never be able to manage him. What shall I do? Pshaw, think no more of him, but trust to occurrences for success. But 25 how goes on your own affair, my dear? has my mother been courting you for my brother Tony as usual?

Miss Nev. I have just come from one of our agreeable tête-à-têtes. She has been saying a hundred tender things, and setting off her pretty monster as the very 30 pink of perfection.

« 이전계속 »