Page:The Clandestine Marriage (1766).djvu/87

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
A COMEDY.
71

ed up reſolution to declare, what my duty to you and to myſelf have demanded from me ſome time.

Lord Ogle. To the buſineſs then, and be as conciſe as poſſible; for I am upon the wing—eh, Lovewell?

[he ſmiles, and Lovewell bows.

Sir John. I find 'tis in vain, my Lord, to ſtruggle againſt the force of inclination.

Lord Ogle. Very true, Nephew—I am your witneſs, and will ſecond the motion—ſhan't I, Lovewell?

[ſmiles, and Lovewell bows.

Sir John. Your Lordſhip's generoſity encourages me to tell you—that I cannot marry Miſs Sterling.

Lord Ogle. I am not at all ſurpriz'd at it—ſhe's a bitter potion, that's the truth of it; but as you were to ſwallow it, and not I, it was your buſineſs, and not mine—any thing more?

Sir John. But this, my Lord—that I may be permitted to make my addreſſes to the other ſiſter.

Lord Ogle. O yes—by all means—have you any hopes there, Nephew?—Do you think he'll ſuccced, Lovewell? [ſmiles, and winks at Lovewell.

Lovew. I think not, my Lord. [gravely.

Lord Ogle. I think ſo too, but let the fool try.

Sir John. Will your Lordſhip favour me with your good offices to remove the chief obſtacle to the match, the repugnance of Mrs Heidelberg?

Lord Ogle. Mrs. Heidelberg!—Had not you better begin with the young lady firſt? it will ſave you a great deal of trouble; won't it, Lovewell?—[ſmiles.]—but do what you pleaſe, it will be the ſame thing to me—won't it, Lovewell?—[conceitedly.]—Why don't you laugh at him?

Lovew. I do, my Lord. [forces a ſmile.

Sir John. And your Lordſhip will endeavour to prevail on Mrs. Heidelberg to conſent to my marriage with Miſs Fanny?

Lord Ogle. I'll go and ſpeak to Mrs. Heidelberg, about the adorable Fanny, as ſoon as poſſible.

Sir