The Contrast [25]
pounds! If he had lost it in trade, why the best men may have ill-luck; but to game it away, as Trans- fer says--why, at this rate, his whole estate may go in one night, and, what is ten times worse, mine into the bargain. No, no; Mary is right. Leave women to look out in these matters; for all they look as if they didn't know a journal from a ledger, when their inter- est is concerned they know what's what; they mind the main chance as well as the best of us. I wonder Mary did not tell me she knew of his spending his money so foolishly. Seventeen thousand pounds! Why, if my daughter was standing up to be married, I would forbid the banns, if I found it was to a man who did not mind the main chance.--Hush! I hear somebody coming. 'Tis Mary's voice; a man with her too! I shouldn't be surprised if this should be the other string to her bow. Aye, aye, let them alone; women understand the main chance.--Though, I' faith, I'll listen a little. [Retires into a closet.
MANLY leading in MARIA.
MANLY
I hope you will excuse my speaking upon so impor- tant a subject so abruptly; but, the moment I entered your room, you struck me as the lady whom I had long loved in imagination, and never hoped to see.
MARIA
Indeed, Sir, I have been led to hear more upon this subject than I ought.
MANLY
Do you, then, disapprove my suit, Madam, or the abruptness of my introducing it? If the latter, my peculiar situation, being obliged to leave the city in a few days, will, I hope, be my excuse; if the former, I will retire, for I am sure I would not give a moment's inquietude to her whom I could devote my life to please. I am not so indelicate as to seek your imme- diate approbation; permit me only to be near you, and by a thousand tender assiduities to endeavour to excite a grateful return.
MARIA
I have a father, whom I would die to make happy; he will disapprove--
MANLY
Do you think me so ungenerous as to seek a place in your esteem without his consent? You must--you ever ought to consider that man as unworthy of you who seeks an interest in your heart contrary to a father's approbation. A young lady should reflect that the loss of a lover may be supplied, but nothing can compensate for the loss of a parent's affection. Yet, why do you suppose your father would disap- prove? In our country, the affections are not sacri- ficed to riches or family aggrandizement: should you approve, my family is decent, and my rank honourable.
MARIA
You distress me, Sir.
MANLY
Then I will sincerely beg your excuse for obtruding so disagreeable a subject, and retire. [Going.
MARIA
Stay, Sir! your generosity and good opinion of me deserve a return; but why must I declare what, for these few hours, I have scarce suffered myself to think?--I am--
MANLY
What?
MARIA
Engaged, Sir; and, in a few days, to be married to the gentleman you saw at your sister's.
MANLY
Engaged to be married! And have I been basely invading the rights of another? Why have you per- mitted this? Is this the return for the partiality I declared for you?
MARIA
You distress me, Sir. What would you have me say? You are too generous to wish the truth. Ought I to say that I dared not suffer myself to think of my engagement, and that I am going to give my hand without my heart? Would you have me confess a par- tiality for you? If so, your triumph is compleat, and can be only more so when days of misery with the man I cannot love will make me think of him whom I could prefer.
MANLY [after a pause].
We are both unhappy; but it is your duty to obey your parent--mine to obey my honour. Let us, therefore, both follow the path of rectitude; and of this we may be assured, that if we are not happy, we shall, at least, deserve to be so. Adieu! I dare not trust myself longer with you. [Exeunt severally.
END OF THE FOURTH ACT.
ACT V. SCENE I.
DIMPLE'S Lodgings.
JESSAMY meeting JONATHAN.
JESSAMY
WELL, Mr. Jonathan, what success with the fair?
JONATHAN
MANLY leading in MARIA.
MANLY
I hope you will excuse my speaking upon so impor- tant a subject so abruptly; but, the moment I entered your room, you struck me as the lady whom I had long loved in imagination, and never hoped to see.
MARIA
Indeed, Sir, I have been led to hear more upon this subject than I ought.
MANLY
Do you, then, disapprove my suit, Madam, or the abruptness of my introducing it? If the latter, my peculiar situation, being obliged to leave the city in a few days, will, I hope, be my excuse; if the former, I will retire, for I am sure I would not give a moment's inquietude to her whom I could devote my life to please. I am not so indelicate as to seek your imme- diate approbation; permit me only to be near you, and by a thousand tender assiduities to endeavour to excite a grateful return.
MARIA
I have a father, whom I would die to make happy; he will disapprove--
MANLY
Do you think me so ungenerous as to seek a place in your esteem without his consent? You must--you ever ought to consider that man as unworthy of you who seeks an interest in your heart contrary to a father's approbation. A young lady should reflect that the loss of a lover may be supplied, but nothing can compensate for the loss of a parent's affection. Yet, why do you suppose your father would disap- prove? In our country, the affections are not sacri- ficed to riches or family aggrandizement: should you approve, my family is decent, and my rank honourable.
MARIA
You distress me, Sir.
MANLY
Then I will sincerely beg your excuse for obtruding so disagreeable a subject, and retire. [Going.
MARIA
Stay, Sir! your generosity and good opinion of me deserve a return; but why must I declare what, for these few hours, I have scarce suffered myself to think?--I am--
MANLY
What?
MARIA
Engaged, Sir; and, in a few days, to be married to the gentleman you saw at your sister's.
MANLY
Engaged to be married! And have I been basely invading the rights of another? Why have you per- mitted this? Is this the return for the partiality I declared for you?
MARIA
You distress me, Sir. What would you have me say? You are too generous to wish the truth. Ought I to say that I dared not suffer myself to think of my engagement, and that I am going to give my hand without my heart? Would you have me confess a par- tiality for you? If so, your triumph is compleat, and can be only more so when days of misery with the man I cannot love will make me think of him whom I could prefer.
MANLY [after a pause].
We are both unhappy; but it is your duty to obey your parent--mine to obey my honour. Let us, therefore, both follow the path of rectitude; and of this we may be assured, that if we are not happy, we shall, at least, deserve to be so. Adieu! I dare not trust myself longer with you. [Exeunt severally.
END OF THE FOURTH ACT.
ACT V. SCENE I.
DIMPLE'S Lodgings.
JESSAMY meeting JONATHAN.
JESSAMY
WELL, Mr. Jonathan, what success with the fair?
JONATHAN