Come and dine with us, then. We have a family
dinner about half-past four o'clock.

MANLY

I am engaged to dine with the Spanish ambassador.
I was introduced to him by an old brother officer; and
instead of freezing me with a cold card of compliment
to dine with him ten days hence, he, with the true old
Castilian frankness, in a friendly manner, asked me to
dine with him to-day--an honour I could not refuse.
Sister, adieu--Madam, your most obedient--[Exit.


CHARLOTTE

I will wait upon you to the door, brother; I have
something particular to say to you. [Exit.


LETITIA, alone.

What a pair!--She the pink of flirtation, he the
essence of everything that is outre and gloomy.--I
think I have completely deceived Charlotte by my
manner of speaking of Mr. Dimple; she's too much
the friend of Maria to be confided in. He is certainly
rendering himself disagreeable to Maria, in order to
break with her and proffer his hand to me. This is
what the delicate fellow hinted in our last conversation.