insult of man and the
contempt of that sex whose general smiles afforded you all your
happiness.

DIMPLE

You won't meet me, Sir? Then I'll post you for a coward.

MANLY I'll venture that, Sir. The reputation of my life does not
depend upon the breath of a Mr. Dimple. I would have you to know,
however, Sir, that I have a cane to chastise the insolence of a
scoundrel, and a sword and the good laws of my country to protect me
from the attempts of an assassin--

DIMPLE

Mighty well! Very fine, indeed! Ladies and gentlemen, I take my
leave; and you will please to observe in the case of my deportment the
contrast between a gentleman who has read Chesterfield and received the
polish of Europe and an unpolished, untravelled American.
[Exit.

Enter MARIA.

MARIA

Is he indeed gone?--

LETITIA

I hope, never to return.

VAN ROUGH

I am glad I heard of those bills; though it's plaguy unlucky; I hoped
to see Mary married before I died.

MANLY

Will you permit a gentleman, Sir, to offer himself as a suitor to your
daughter? Though a stranger to you, he is not altogether so to her, or
unknown in this city. You may find a son-in-law of more fortune, but
you can never meet with one who is richer in love for her, or respect
for you.

VAN ROUGH

Why, Mary, you have not let this gentleman make love to you without my
leave?

MANLY

I did not say, Sir--

MARIA

Say, Sir!--I--the gentleman, to be sure, met me accidentally.

VAN ROUGH

Ha, ha, ha! Mark me, Mary; young folks think old folks to be fools;
but old folks know young folks to be fools. Why, I knew all about this
affair. This was only a cunning way I had to bring it about. Hark ye!
I was in the closet when you and he were at our hours. [Turns to the
company.] I heard that little baggage say she loved her old father,
and would die to make him happy! Oh! how I loved the little baggage!
And you talked very prudently, young man. I have inquired into your
character, and find you to be a man of punctuality and mind the main
chance. And so, as you love Mary and Mary loves you, you shall have my
consent immediately to be married. I'll settle my fortune on you, and
go and live with you the remainder of my life.

MANLY

Sir, I hope--

VAN ROUGH

Come, come, no fine speeches; mind the main chance, young man, and you
and I shall always agree.

LETITIA I sincerely wish you joy [advancing to Maria]; and hope