Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 1.pdf/227

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THE TRYAL: A COMEDY.
225

are like the good will of every body, one steady friendship is worth it all.

Sir Loft. From which may I infer that one faithful adorer, in your eyes, outvalues all the thousand? (Affecting to be tender.) Ah! so would I have Miss Withrington to believe! and if that can be any inducement, she will find such a one there, most happy to attend her.

Mar. Will she? I wonder who this may be: what kind of man is he pray?

Sir Loft. (With a conceited simper, at the same time in a pompous manner) Perhaps it will not be boasting too much to say, he is a man of fashion, and of some little consequence in the world.

Mar. Handsome and accomplish'd too. Sir Loftus?

Sir Loft. I must not presume, ma'am, to boast of my accomplishments.

Mar. (Affecting a look of disappointment.) O! lud! so it is yourself after all! I have not so much penetration as I thought. (Yawning twice very wide.) Bless me! what makes me yawn so? I forgot to visit my old woman, who sells the cakes, this morning that must be it. (Yawning again.) Do you love gingerbread, Sir Loftus? (Sir Loftus bites his lip, and struts proudly away to the other side of the stage, whilst Agnes peeps from the closet, and makes signs of encouragement to Mariane.)

Mar. Well, after all, I believe, it will be pleasant enough to go to the ball, with such an accomplish'd attendant.