How?


LETITIA

It is whispered that if Maria gives her hand to Mr.
Dimple, it will be without her heart.


CHARLOTTE

Though the giving the heart is one of the last of all
laughable considerations in the marriage of a girl of
spirit, yet I should like to hear what antiquated notions
the dear little piece of old-fashioned prudery has got
in her head.


LETITIA

Why, you know that old Mr. John-Richard-Robert-
Jacob-Isaac-Abraham-Cornelius Van Dumpling, Billy
Dimple's father (for he has thought fit to soften his
name, as well as manners, during his English tour),
was the most intimate friend of Maria's father. The
old folks, about a year before Mr. Van Dumpling's
death, proposed this match: the young folks were
accordingly introduced, and told they must love one
another. Billy was then a good-natured, decent-dress-
ing young fellow, with a little dash of the coxcomb,