Miss HARDCASTLE.

Eh! you have frozen me to death again. That word reserved has undone all the rest of his accomplishments. A reserved lover, it is said, always makes a suspicious husband.

HARDCASTLE.

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 HARDCASTLE.

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

HARDCASTLE.

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

Miss HARDcastle.

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: set my cap to some newer fashion, and look out for some less difficult admirer.

HARDCASTLE.

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 recruits the first day's muster. [Exit.

Miss HARDCASTLE 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 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 HARDCASTLE.

I'm glad you're come, Neville, my dear. 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 today?

Miss NEVILle.

Perfectly, my dear. Yet now I look again-bless me! sure no accident has happened among the

1

canary birds, or the gold fishes. Has your brother or the cat been meddling? or has the last novel been too moving?

Miss HARDCASTLE.

No; nothing of all this. I have been threatened -I can scarce get it out-I have been threatened with a lover.

Miss NEVILle.

And his name

Miss HARDCASTLE.

Is Marlow.

Miss NEVILLE,

Indeed!

Miss HARDCASTLE.

The son of Sir Charles Marlow.

Miss NEVILLE.

I

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

town.

Miss HARDCASTLE.

Never.

Miss NEVILLE.

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 a very different character among creatures of another stamp: you understand me.

Miss HARDCastle.

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 how goes on your own affair, my dear? Has my mother been courting you for my brother Tony,

as usual?

Miss NEVILLE.

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 pink of perfection.

Miss HARDCASTLE.

And her partiality is such, that she actually thinks him so. A fortune like yours is no small temptation. Besides, as she has the sole management of it, I'm not surprised to see her unwilling to let it go out of the family.

Miss NEVILLE.

A fortune like mine, which chiefly consists in jewels, is no such mighty temptation. But at any rate, if my dear Hastings be but constant, I make no doubt to be too hard for her at last. However, I let her suppose that I am in love with her son, and she never once dreams that my affections are fixed

upon another.

Miss HARDCASTLE.

My good brother holds out stoutly. I could almost love him for hating you so.

Miss NEVILLE.

It is a good-natured creature at bottom, and I'm sure would wish to see me married to any body but himself. But my aunt's bell rings for our afternoon's walk round the improvements. Allons! Courage is necessary, as our affairs are critical.

Miss HARDCASTLE.

"Would it were bed-time, and all were well."

[Exeunt.