Hastings.

Was it well done, Sir, if you're upon that subject, to deliver what I entrusted to yourself, to the care of another, Sir.

Miss Neville.

Mr. Hastings. Mr. Marlow. Why will you increase my distress by this groundless dispute? I implore, I intreat you—

Enter SERVANT.

Servant.

Your cloak, madam. My mistress is impatient.

Miss Neville.

[Exit Servant.

I come. Pray be pacified. If I leave you thus, I shall die with apprehension.

Enter SERVANT.

Servant.

Your fan, muff and gloves, madam. The horses are waiting.

Miss Neville.

O, Mr. Marlow! if you knew what a scene of constraint and ill-nature lies before me, I'm sure it would convert your resentment into pity.

Marlow.

I'm so distracted with a variety of passions, that I don't know what I do. Forgive me, madam. George, forgive me. You know my hasty temper, and should not exasperate it.

Hastings.

The torture of my situation is my only excuse.

Miss Neville.

Well, my dear Hastings, if you have that esteem for me that I think, that I am sure you have, your con

scancy for three years will but increase the happiness of our future connexion. If—

Mrs. Hardcastle.

(Within) Miss Neville. Constance, why Constance,

I'm coming. Well, constancy, remember, constancy is the word.

Hastings.

[Exit.

My heart! how can I support this. To be so near happiness, and such happiness!

Marlow.

(To Tony) You see now, young gentleman, the effects of your folly. What might be amusement to you. is here disappointment, and even distress.

Tony.

(From a reverie) Ecod. I have hit it. It's here. Your hands. Yours and yours, my poor Sulky. My boots there, ho. Meet me two hours hence at the bottom of the garden; and if you don't find Tony Lumpkin a more good-natur'd fellow than you thought for, I'll give you leave to take my best horse, and Bet Bouncer into the bargain. Come along. My boots, ho!

[Exeunt.

ACT THE FIFTH.

Enter HASTINGS and SERVANT.

Hastings.

You saw the old lady and Miss Neville drive off,

you say.

Servant.

Yes, your honor. They went off in a post-coach, and the young 'squire went on horseback. They're thirty miles off by this time.

Hastings.

Then all my hopes are over.

Servant.

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

Hastings.

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.

[Exit.

Ha ha ha! The peremptory tone in which he sent forth his sublime commands.

Sir Charles.

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

Hardcastle.

AN

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

Sir Charles.

Yes, Dick, but he mistook you for an uncommon inn-keeper, ha! ha! ha!

Hardcastle.

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 though my daughter's fortune is but small

Sir Charles.

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 increase it. If they like each other, as you say they do

Hardcastle.

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

Sir Charles.

But girls are apt to flatter themselves, you know.

Hardcastle.

I saw him grasp her hand in the warmest manner myself; and here he comes to put 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.

Hardcastle.

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

Marlow.

Sir, I shall be always proud of her approbation.

Hardcastle.

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

Marlow.

Really, Sir, I have not that happiness.

Hardcastle.

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.

Marlow.

Sure, Sir, nothing has past between us but the most profound respect on my side, and the most distant reserve on her's You don't think, Sir, that my impudence haa been past upon all the rest of the family?

Hardcastle.

Impudence! No, I don't say that-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.

Marlow.

I never gave her the slightest cause.

Hardcastle.

Well, well, I like modesty in its place well enough. But this is over-acting, young gentleman. You may