MARLOW.

No, no. (mufing) I have pleased my father, however, by coming down, and I'll to-morrow please myself by returning.

(Taking out his tablets, and perufing.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Perhaps the other gentleman called, Sir?

I tell you, no.

MARLOW.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

I should be glad to know, Sir. We have fuch a parcel of fervants.

MARLOW.

No, no, I tell you. (Looks full in her face). Yes, child, I think I did call. I wanted-I wantedI vow, child, you are vaftly handfome.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

O la, Sir, you'll make one asham'd.

MARLOW.

Never faw a more sprightly malicious eye. Yes, yes, my dear, I did call. Have you got any of your-a---what d'ye call it in the house?

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

No, Sir, we have been out of that these ten days. MARLOW.

One may call in this houfe, I find, to very littlepurpose. Suppose I should call for a taste, just by way of trial, of the nectar of your lips; perhaps I might be disappointed in that too.

VOL. II.

Р

Mifs

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Nectar! nectar! That's a liquor there's no call for in thofe parts. French, I fuppofe. We keep no French wines here, Sir.

MARLOW.

Of true English growth, I affure you.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Then it's odd I should not know it. We brew all forts of wines in this house, and I have lived here thefe eighteen years.

MARLOW.

Eighteen years! Why one would think, child, you kept the bar before you were born. How old are you?

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

O! Sir, I muft not tell my age. They fay women and mufic fhould never be dated.

MARLOW.

To guess at this distance you can't be much above forty (approaching). Yet nearer I don't think fo much (approaching). By coming close to some women they look younger ftill; but when we come very close indeed—(attempting to kiss her).

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Pray, Sir, keep your diftance. One would think you wanted to know one's age as they do horses, by mark of mouth.

MAR

MARLOW.

I proteft, child, you use me extremely ill. If you keep me at this distance, how is it poffible you and I can ever be acquainted ?

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

And who wants to be acquainted with you? I want no fuch acquaintance, not I. I'm fure you did not treat Mifs Hardcaftle that was here awhile ago in this obftropalous manner. I'll warrant me, before you her look'd dafh'd, and kept bowing to the ground, and talk'd, for all the world, as if you was before a juftice of peace.

MARLOW.

(Afide) Egad! She has hit it, fure enough. (To her) In awe of her, child? Ha! ha! ha! A mere, aukward, fquinting thing, no, no. I find you don't know me. I laugh'd, and rallied her a little; but I was unwilling to be too fevere. No, I could not be too fevere, curfe me!

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

O! then, Sir, you are a favourite, I find, among the ladies?

MARLOW.

Yes, my dear, a great favourite. And yet, hang me, I don't see what they find in me to follow. At the ladies club in town, I'm called their agreeable Rattle. Rattle, child, is it not my real name, but one I'm known by. My name is Solomons. Mr.

Solomons, my dear, at your service. (Offering to falute her.)

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Hold, Sir; you are introducing me to your club, not to yourself. And you're fo great a favourite there, you say?

MARLOW.

Yes, my dear. There's Mrs. Mantrap, lady Betty Blackleg, the countefs of Sligo, Mrs. Langhorns, old Mifs Biddy Buckskin, and your humble fervant, keep up the spirit of the place.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Then it's a very merry place, I fuppofe?

MARLOW.

Yes, as merry as cards, fupper, wine, and old women, can make us.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

And their agreeable Rattle, ha! ha ha!

MARLOW.

(Afide) Egad! I don't quite like this chit. She looks knowing, methinks. You laugh, child!

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

I can't but laugh to think what time they all have for minding their work or their family.

MARLOW.

(Afide) All's well; fhe don't laugh at me. (To

her) Do you ever work, child?

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Aye, fure. There's not a screen or a quilt in the whole house but what can bear witness to that.

MARLOW.

Odfo! then you must fhew me your embroidery. I embroider and draw patterns myself a little. If you want a judge of your work you must apply to [Seizing her hand.

me.

Mifs HARDCASTLE.

Aye, but the colours do not look well by candlelight. You fhall fee all in the morning.

MARLOW.

[Struggling.

And why not now, my angel? Such beauty fires beyond the power of refiftance.--Pfhaw! the father here! my old luck: I never nick'd feven that I did not throw ames ace three times following. [Exit Marlow.

Enter HARDCASTLE, who stands in furprize.

HARDCASTLE.

So, madam. So I find this is your modeft lover. This is your humble admirer that kept his eyes fixed on the ground, and only ador'd at humble diftance. Kate, Kate, art thou not asham'd to deceive your father fo?