nel. I'm never to be delighted with your agreeable wild notes, unfeeling monster! Tony. Ecod! mamma, your own notes are the wildest of the two. Mrs. Hardcastle. Was ever the like? But I see he wants to break my heart; I see he does. Hastings. Dear madam, permit me to lecture the young gentleman a little. I'm certain I can persuade him to his duty. Mrs. Hardcastle. Well! I must retire. Come, Constance, my love. You see, Mr. Hastings, the wretchedness of my situation; was ever poor woman so plagued with a dear, sweet, pretty, provoking, undutiful boy. [Exeunt Mrs. Hardcastle and Miss Neville. HASTINGS, TONY. Tony, (singing.) Don't mind "There was a young man riding by, and fain would have his will. Rang do didlo dee.”. her. Let her cry. It's the comfort of her heart. I have seen her and sister cry over a book for an hour together, and they said, they liked the book the better the more it made them cry. Hastings. Then you're no friend to the ladies, I find, my pretty young gentleman. Tony. That's as I find 'um. Hastings. Not to her of your mother's chusing, I dare answer? And yet she appears to me a pretty welltempered girl. Tony. That's because you don't know her as well as I. Ecod! I know every inch about her and there's not a more bitter cantackerous toad in all Christendom. Hastings. (Aside) Pretty encouragement 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. Hastings. To me she appears sensible and silent! Tony. Aye, before company. But when she's with her play-mate she's as loud as a hog in a gate. Hastings. But there is a meek modesty about her that charms me. Tony. Yes, but curb her never so little, she kicks you're flung in a ditch. Hastings. up, and 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, mum. 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? Anon. Tony. Hastings. Would you thank him that would take Miss Neville, and leave you to happiness and your dear Betsy? Tony. Aye; 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. 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 a twinkling, and may be get you a part of her fortin beside in jewels that you little dream of. Hastings. My dear 'squire, this looks like a lad of spirit. Tony. 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. Exeunt. WHA ACT THE THIRD. Enter HARDCASTLE. alone. Hardcastle. HAT 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 possession of the easy chair by the fireside 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. 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. 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. Aye, 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 masquerade. 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 dancing master could never have taught him that timid look-that aukward address-that bashful manner 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 so modest. 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. |