a little resolution, and we shall soon be out of the reach of her malignity. Miss Neville. I find it impossible. My spirits are so sunk with the agitations I have suffered, that I am unable to face any new danger. Two or three years patience will at last crown us with happiness. Hastings. Such a tedious delay is worse than inconstancy. Let us fly, my charmer. from this very moment. Let us date our happiness Content will increase what we possess beyond a monLet me prevail ! arch's revenue. Miss Neville. No, Mr. Hastings; no. Prudence once more comes to my relief, and I will obey its dictates. In the moment of passion fortune may be despised, but it ever produces a lasting repentance.. I'm resolved to apply to Mr. Hardcastle's compassion and justice för redress. Hastings. But though he had the will, he has not the power to relieve you. Miss Neville. But he has influence, and upon that I am resolved to rely. Hastings. I have no hopes. But since you persist, I must reluctantly obey you. [Exeunt, SCENE changes. Enter Sir CHARLES and Miss HARDCASTLE. Sir Charles. What a situation am I in! If what you say ap pears, I shall then find a guilty son. If what he says be true, I shall then lose one, that, of all others, I most wish'd for, a daughter. Miss Hardcastle. I am proud of your approbation, and to shew I merit it, if you place yourselves as I directed, you shall hear his explicit declaration. But he comes. Sir Charles. I'll to your father, and keep him to the appointment. [Exit Sir Charles. Enter MARLOW. Marlow. Though prepar'd for setting out, I come once more to take leave, nor did I, till this moment, know the pain I feel in the separation. Miss Hardcastle. (In her own natural manner) I believe these sufferings cannot be very great Sir, which you can so easily remove. A day or two longer, perhaps, might lessen your uneasiness, by shewing the little value of what you now think proper to regret. Marlow. (Aside) This girl every moment improves upon me. (To her) It must not be, madam. I have already trifled too long with my heart. My very pride begins to submit to my passion. The disparity of education and fortune, the anger of a parent, and the contempt of my equals, begins to lose their weight; and nothing can restore me to myself, but the painful effort of resolution. Miss Hardcastle. Then go, Sir. I'll urge nothing more to detain you. Though my family be as good as hers you came down to visit, and my education, I hope, not inferior, what are these advantages without equal affluence ? I must remain contented with the slight approbation of imputed merit; I must have only the mockery of your addresses, while all your serious aims are fixed on fortune. Enter HARDCASTLE and Sir CHARLES from behind. Sir Charles. Here, behind this screen. Hardcastle. Aye, aye, make no noise. I'll engage my Kate covers him with confusion at last. Marlow. By heavens, madam, fortune was ever my smallest consideration. Your beauty at first caught my eye; for who could see that without emotion. But every moment that I converse with you, steals in some new grace, heightens the picture, and gives it stronger expression. What at first seemed rustic plainness, now appears refined simplicity. What seem'd forward assurance, now strikes me as the result of courageous innocence and conscious virtue. Sir Charles. What can it mean? He amazes me ! Hardcastle. I told you how it would be. Hush! Marlow. I am now determined to stay, madam, and I have teo good an opinion of my father's discernment, when he sees you, to doubt his approbation. Miss Hardcastle. No, Mr. Marlow, I will not, cannot detain you. Do you think I could suffer a connexion, in which there is the smallest room for repentance? Do you think I would take the mean advantage of a transient passion, to load you with confusion? Do you think I could ever Vol. II. Cc relish that happiness, which was acquired by lessening yours? Marlow. By all that's good, I can have no happiness but what's in your power to grant me. Nor shall I ever feel repentance, but in not having seen your merits before. I will stay, even contrary to your wishes; and though you should persist to shun me, I will make my respectful assiduities atone for the levity of my past conduct. Miss Hardcastle. Sir, I must entreat you'll desist. As our acquaintance began, so let it end, in indifference. I might have given an hour or two to levity; but seriously, Mr. Marlow, do you think I could ever submit to a connexion, where I must appear mercenary, and you imprudent? Do you think I could ever catch at the confident addresses of a secure admirer? Marlow. (Kneeling.) Does this look like security? Does this look like confidence? No, madam, every moment that shews me your merit, only serves to increase my diffidence and confusion. Here let me continue Sir Charles. I can hold it no longer. Charles. Charles, how hast thou deceived me! Is this your indifference, your uninteresting conversation! Hardcastle. Your cold contempt; your formal interview, What have you to say now? Marlow. That I'm all amazement! What can it mean? sure. Hardcastle. It means that you can say and unsay things at pleaThat you can address a lady in private, and deny it in public; that you have one story for us, and another for my daughter! Marlow. Daughter! This lady your daughter! - Hardcastle. Yes, Sir, my only daughter. My Kate, whose else should she be ? Oh, the devil! Marlow. Miss Hardcastle. Yes, Sir, that very identical tall, squinting lady you were pleased to take me for, (Courtseying) she that you addressed as the mild, modest, sentimental man of gravity, and the bold forward agreeable Rattle of the ladies club. Ha! ha! ha! Marlow. Zounds, there's no bearing this; it's worse than death. Miss Hardcastle. In which of your characters, Sir, will you give us leave to address you. As the faultering gentleman, with looks on the ground, that speaks just to be heard, and hates hypocrisy; or the loud confident creature, that keeps it up with Mrs. Mantrap, and old Miss Biddy Buckskin, till three in the morning. Ha! ha! ha! Marlow. O, curse on my noisy head. I never attempted to be impudent yet, that I was not taken down. I must be gone. Hardcastle. I see You By the hand of my body, but you shall not. it was all a mistake, and I'm rejoiced to find it. shall not, Sir, I tell you. I know she'll forgive you. Won't you forgive him, Kate? We'll all forgive you. Take courage, man. [They retire, she tormenting him to the back scene. Enter Mrs. HARDCASTLE, TONY. Mrs. Hardcastle. So so, they're gone off. Let them go, I care not. |