Why, a fine woman has no effect upon 'em-is there no method to make 'em lefs fond of themselves, and more mindful of the ladies? Hea. I know but of one, Sir Charles. Sir Cha, Ay, what's that? Hea. Why, to break all the looking-glasses in the kingdom. [Pointing to Y. Clackit. Sir Cha. Ay, ay, they are such fops, so taken up with themselves!-Zounds, when I was young, and in love Y. Cla. You were a prodigious fine sight, to be sure. Hea. Look'ye, Mr. Clackit, if Mifs Harriet's affections declare for you, she must not be treated with neglect or disdain-Nor could I bear it, sir.Any man must be proud of her partiality to him; and he must be fashionably insensible indeed, who wou'd not make it his darling care to defend from every inquietude the most delicate and tender of her sex. Sir Cha. Most nobly and warmly said, Mr. Heartly.-Go, to her, nephew directly.-Throw yourself at her feet, and swear how much her beauty and virtue have captivated you, and don't let her go till you have set her dear little heart at rest. Y. Cla. I must desire to be excus'd. Would you have me say the same thing over and over again?I can't do it, positively. It is my turn to be piqu'd now. Sir Cha. Damn your conceit, Jack, I can bear it no longer. Hea. I am very sorry to find that any young lady, so near and dear to me, shou'd bestow her heart where there is so little prospect of its being valued as it ought. However, I shall not oppose my authority to her inclinations; and so-Who waits there? [Enter Servant.] Let the young lady know that I shall attend her commands in the library. [Exit Servant.] Will you excuse me, gentlemen? Sir Cha. Ay, ay-We'll leave you to yourselves; and pray convince her, that I and my nephew are most sincerely her very humble servants. Y. Cla. O yes, you may depend upon me. ན་ Hea. A very slender dependence truly. [Aside.] [Exit. Y. Cla. We'll be with you again to know what your tete a-tete produces; and in the mean time I am her's, and yours-Adieu. Come, uncle.-Fal, lal, la, la. Sir Cha. I could knock him down with pleasure. [Aside. [Exeunt Sir Charles and Y. Clackit. ACT II. SCENE I. Hea. [Speaking to a Servant.] Tell Mifs Harriet that I am here.-If she is indisposed, I will wait upon her in her own room.-[Exit Servant.--However mysterious her conduct appears to me, yet still it is to be deciphered-This young gentleman has certainly touch'd her. There are some objections to him, and among so many young men of fashion that fall in her way, she certainly might have made a better choice. She has an understanding to be sensible of this; and, if I am not mistaken, it is a struggle between her reason and her passion that occasions all this confusion.-But here she is. Enter Miss HARRIET, Miss Har. I hope you are not angry, sir, that I left you so abruptly without making any apology? Hea. I am angry that you think an apology necessary. The matter we were upon was of such a delicafe nature, that I was more pleased with your confusion, than I should have been with your excuses. You'll pardon me, my dear Miss Har. I have reflected, that the person for whom I have conceived a most tender regard, may, from the wisest motives, doubt of my passion and therefore I would endeavour to answer all his objections, and convince him how deserving he is of my highest esteem. Hea. I have not yet apprehended what kind of dispute could arise between you and Mr. Clackit:I would advise you both to come to a reconciliation as soon as possible. The law of nature is an imperious one, and cannot, like those of our country, be easily evaded; and though reason may suggest some disagreeable reflections, yet when the stroke is to be given, we must submit to it. Miss Har. He still continues in his error, and I cannot undeceive him. [Aside. Hea. Shall I take the liberty of telling you, my dear [taking her Hand.-You tremble, Harriet!What is the matter with you? Miss Har. Nothing, sir.-Pray go on. Hea. I guess whence proceeds all your uneasiness -You fear that the world will not be so readily convinced of this young gentleman's merit as you are: -and, indeed, I could wish him more deserving of you; but your regard for him gives him a merit he otherwise would have wanted, and almost makes me blind to his failings. Miss Har. And would you advise me, sir, to make choice of this gentleman? Hea. I would advise you, as I always have done, to consult your own heart upon such an occasion. Miss Har. If that is your advice, I will most religionsly follow it; and, for the last time, I am resolved to discover my real sentiments; but as a confefsion of this kind will not become me, I have been thinking of some innocent stratagem to spare my blushes, and in part to relieve me from the shame of a declaration.-Might be permitted to write to him?- Hea. I think you may, my dear, without the least offence to your delicacy! And indeed you ought to explain yourself; your late misunderstanding makes it absolutely necefsary. Miss Har. Will you be kind enough to afsist me? Will you write it for me, sir? Hea. Oh most willingly! And as I am made a party, it will remove all objections. Miss Har, I will dictate to you in the best manI am able. [Sighing. Hea. And here is pen, ink, and paper, to obey your commands. [Draws the Table. Miss Har. Lord, how my heart beats! I fear I cannot go through it. [Aside. Hea. Now, my dear, I am ready. Don't be disturb'd. He is certainly a man of family; and though he has some little faults, time and your virtues will correct them. Come, what shall I write ? [Preparing to write. Miss Har. Pray give me a moment's thought.→→→ "Tis a terrible task, Mr. Heartly. Hea. I know it is.-Don't hurry yourself: I shall wait with patience.-Come, Mifs Harriet. Miss Har. [Dictating.]' It is in vain for me to conceal, from one of your understanding, the secrets of my heart.' Hea. The secrets of my heart.' [Writing. Miss Har. Though your humility and modesty will not suffer you to perceive it.' Hea. Do you think, my dear, that he is much troubled with those qualities? Miss Har. Pray indulge me, sir. Hea. I beg your pardon-Your humility and modesty will not suffer you to perceive it.'[Writes.] So. Miss Har. Every thing tells you, that it is you that I love.' [Writes. Miss Har. Yes:- You that I love; do you understand me? Hea. O! yes, yes-I understand you—that it is you that I love. This is very plain, my dear. Miss Har. I would have it so. And though I am already bound in gratitude to you'- Hea. Well In gratitude to you.' [Writes.] I must write what she would have me. [Aside. Miss Har. Yet my pafsion is a most disinterested one.' Hea. Most disinterested one.' [Writes. Miss Har. And to convince you, that you owe much more to my affections' Hea. And then? Miss Har. I could wish that I had not experienced Hea. Stay stay:-' Had not experienced' [Writes. Miss Har. Your tender care of me in my infancy,' Hea. [Disturbed.] What did you say?-Did I hear right, or am I in a dream! [Aside. [Aside. Miss Har. Why have I declared myself?--He'll hate me for my folly. Hea. Harriet! Miss Har. Sir! Hea. To whom do you write this letter? Miss Har. To-to-Mr. Clackit-is it not? Hea. You must not mention then the care of your infancy? it would be ridiculous. Miss Har. It would indeed-I own it-It is improper. Hea. What, did it escape you in your confusion? Miss Har. It did indeed. Hea. What must I put in its place? Miss Har. Indeed I don't know. I have said more than enough to make myself understood. Hea. Then I'll only finish your letter with the usual compliment, and send it away. Miss Har. Yes-send it away-if you think I ought to send it. Hea. [Troubled.] Ought to send it!-Who's there?- [Enter a Servant.] Carry this letter. [An Action escapes from Harriet, as if to hin der the sending the Letter. -Is it not for Mr. Clackit? Miss Har. [Peevishly.] Who can it be for? Hea. [To the Servant.] Here, take this letter to Mr. Clackit. [Gives the Letter.] [Exit Servant. Miss Har. What a terrible situation. [Aside. Hea. I am thunderstruck? Miss Har. I cannot speak another word. Aside. Hea. My prudence fails me! [Aside. Aside |