alone; women understand the main chance.--Though, I' faith, I'll
listen a little. [Retires into a closet.

MANLY leading in MARIA.

MANLY

I hope you will excuse my speaking upon so important a subject so
abruptly; but, the moment I entered your room, you struck me as the
lady whom I had long loved in imagination, and never hoped to see.

MARIA

Indeed, Sir, I have been led to hear more upon this subject than I
ought.

MANLY

Do you, then, disapprove my suit, Madam, or the abruptness of my
introducing it? If the latter, my peculiar situation, being obliged to
leave the city in a few days, will, I hope, be my excuse; if the
former, I will retire, for I am sure I would not give a moment's
inquietude to her whom I could devote my life to please. I am not so
indelicate as to seek your immediate approbation; permit me only to be
near you, and by a thousand tender assiduities to endeavour to excite a
grateful return.

MARIA

I have a father, whom I would die to make happy; he will disapprove--

MANLY

Do you think me so ungenerous as to seek a place in your esteem without
his consent? You must--you ever ought to consider that man as unworthy
of you who seeks an interest in your heart contrary to a father's
approbation. A young lady should reflect that the loss of a lover may
be supplied, but nothing can compensate for the loss of a parent's
affection. Yet, why do you suppose your father would disapprove? In
our country, the affections are not sacrificed to riches or family
aggrandizement: should you approve, my family is decent, and my rank
honourable.

MARIA

You distress me, Sir.

MANLY

Then I will sincerely beg your excuse for obtruding so disagreeable a
subject, and retire. [Going.

MARIA

Stay, Sir! your generosity and good opinion of me deserve a return; but
why must I declare what, for these few hours, I have scarce suffered
myself to think?--I am--

MANLY

What?

MARIA

Engaged, Sir; and, in a few days, to be married to the gentleman you
saw at your sister's.

MANLY

Engaged to be married! And have I been basely invading the rights of
another? Why have you permitted this? Is this the return for the
partiality I declared for you?

MARIA

You distress me, Sir. What would you have me say? You are too
generous to wish the truth. Ought I to say that I dared not suffer
myself to think of my engagement, and that I am going to give my hand
wi