Sir John. Pardon me, Sir; more uneaſineſs has ariſen than you are aware of. I am myſelf, at this inſtant, in a ſtate of inexpreſſible embarraſſment; Miſs Sterling, I know, is extremely diſconcerted too; and unleſs you will oblige me with the aſſiſtance of your friendſhip, I foreſee the ſpeedy progreſs of diſcontent and animoſity through the whole family.
Sterl. What the deuce is all this? I don't underſtand a ſingle ſyllable.
Sir John. In one word then—it will be abſolutely impoſſible for me to fulfill my engagements in regard to Miſs Sterling.
Sterl. How, Sir John? Do you mean to put an affront upon my family? What! refuſe to—
Sir John. Be aſſured, Sir, that I neither mean to affront, nor forſake your family.—My only fear is, that you ſhould deſert me; for the whole happineſs of my life depends on my being connected with your family by the neareſt and tendereſt ties in the world.
Sterl. Why, did not you tell me, but a moment ago, that it was abſolutely impoſſible for you to marry my daughter?
Sir John. True.—But you have another daughter, Sir
Sterl. Well?
Sir John. Who has obtained the moſt abſolute dominion over my heart. I have already declared my paſſion to her; nay, Miſs Sterling herſelf is alſo apprized of it, and if you will but give a ſanction to my preſent addreſſes, the uncommon merit of Miſs Sterling will no doubt recommend her to a perſon of equal, if not ſuperior rank to myſelf, and our families may ſtill be allied by my union with Miſs Fanny.
Sterl. Mighty fine, truly! Why, what the plague do you make of us, Sir John? Do you come to market for my daughters, like ſervants at a ſtatute-fair? Do you think that I will ſuffer you, or any man in the world, to come into my houſe, like the
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