Part 10 (1/2)

HUMPHRY. Mounsieur, the outlandish barber, give me a small cut across the whiskers; but the best of all you ha'n't seen yet;--see here.

[_Pulls off his hat._

LOVEYET. Aye, now you look something like--quite fierce--entirely the fine gentleman, upon my falsehood. A genteel dress is the very soul of a man, Mr. Cubb.

HUMPHRY. Like enough, for I've got more soul to shew myself, now I cut such a dash; I've got a soul to see the shews at the play-house; and, I think, I've got a great deal more soul to spend a few s.h.i.+llings at the ale-house.

LOVEYET. That's true; I'm glad you remind me of my promise.

HUMPHRY. Not I, I didn't remind you,--I scorn it.

LOVEYET. I dare say you do. [_Gives him money._] There, drink my health with that.

HUMPHRY. With all my heart--soul, I mean;--aye, here's soul enough--[_Jingling the money._]--to buy the matter o' twenty mugs;--come, let's go at once.

LOVEYET. I?--excuse me, sir; I have particular business elsewhere.--Sir, your most humble servant.

HUMPHRY. Sir, I am your most humble sarvint too. [_Bows awkwardly._]

[_Exeunt, severally._

SCENE III. _MR. FRIENDLY'S House._

_Enter HARRIET._

[_Knocking at the door._] What an incessant knocking! Mr. Friendly's family are out, and between their company and my own, I expect to be engaged all day: I am fairly tired of these morning visits;--they are fas.h.i.+onable, and, therefore, agreeable, to those who can make propriety and happiness subservient to custom and false politeness; but, for my part--

_Enter SERVANT._

SERVANT. Miss Airy is waiting in her carriage, madam.

HARRIET. Admit her. [_Exit SERVANT._] She is the only one I wish to see this morning.

_Enter MARIA._

MARIA. My dear Harriet, I am rejoic'd to find you at home;--I this minute heard something, which I knew would make you happy; and that, I trust, is a good excuse for troubling you twice a day with my company.

HARRIET. You wrong my friends.h.i.+p, Maria, if you think you can oblige me too often with your desirable company; 'tis true I was wis.h.i.+ng for a little cessation of that torrent of formal visitors which is pouring in from morning till night; but far be it from Harriet to reckon her Maria among that number.

MARIA. You are very good, my dear; but you must give me leave to be a little jealous that I am not the only one who is favoured with such a preference.

HARRIET. Indeed, I do not know any one I have a particular desire to see this morning, except yourself.

MARIA. You forget Mr. Loveyet, when you say so.

HARRIET. Poh! I am not talking of men.

MARIA. No; but it is very probable you are _thinking_ of _a man_.