CHARLOTTE

A mighty pretty story! And so you would make
me believe that the sensible Maria would give up
Dumpling manor, and the all-accomplished Dimple as
a husband, for the absurd, ridiculous reason, forsooth,
because she despises and abhors him. Just as if a
lady could not be privileged to spend a man's fortune,
ride in his carriage, be called after his name, and call
him her nown dear lovee when she wants money, with-
out loving and respecting the great he-creature. Oh!
my dear girl, you are a monstrous prude.


LETITIA

I don't say what I would do; I only intimate how
I suppose she wishes to act.


CHARLOTTE

No, no, no! A fig for sentiment. If she breaks, or
wishes to break, with Mr. Dimple, depend upon it, she
has some other man in her eye. A woman rarely dis-
cards one lover until she is sure of another. Letitia
little thinks what a clue I have to Dimple's conduct.
The generous man submits to render himself disgust-
ing to Maria, in order that she may leave him at lib-
erty to address me. I must change the subject.