Sir Loft. (Taking encouragement, and smothering his pride.) Are you so obliging, Miss Withrington? will you permit me to have the happiness of attending you?
Mar. If you'll promise to make it very agreeable to me; you are fond of dancing, I suppose?
Sir Loft. I'll do any thing you desire me, but why throw away time so precious in the rough familiar exercise of dancing? is there not something more distinguished, more refined, in enjoying the conversation of those we love?
Mar. In the middle of a crowd, Sir Loftus?
Sir Loft. What is that crowd to us? We have nothing to do but to despise it, whilst they stare upon us with vulgar admiration, we shall talk together, smile together, attend only to each other, like beings of a superiour order.
Mar. O! that will be delightful! but dont you think we may just peep slyly over our shoulder now and then, to see whether they are admiring us? (Sir Loftus bites his lips again, and struts to the bottom of the stage, whilst Agnes peeps out again from the closet, and makes signs to Mariane.)
Mar. (Carelessly pulling a small case from her pocket.) Are not these handsome brilliants, Sir Loftus?
Sir Loft. (Very much struck with the sparkling of the diamonds, but pretending not to look at them.) Upon my word, ma'am, I am no judge of trinkets.
Mar. They are clumsily set, I shall give them to my cousin.
