for the memory of his deceased friend,
is ever telling her how he shall renew his years in their union, and
repeating the dying injunctions of old Van Dumpling.

CHARLOTTE

A mighty pretty story! And so you would make me believe that the
sensible Maria would give up Dumpling manor, and the all-accomplished
Dimple as a husband, for the absurd, ridiculous reason, forsooth,
because she despises and abhors him. Just as if a lady could not be
privileged to spend a man's fortune, ride in his carriage, be called
after his name, and call him her nown dear lovee when she wants money,
without loving and respecting the great he-creature. Oh! my dear
girl, you are a monstrous prude.

LETITIA

I don't say what I would do; I only intimate how I suppose she wishes
to act.

CHARLOTTE

No, no, no! A fig for sentiment. If she breaks, or wishes to break,
with Mr. Dimple, depend upon it, she has some other man in her eye. A
woman rarely discards one lover until she is sure of another. Letitia
little thinks what a clue I have to Dimple's conduct. The generous man
submits to render himself disgusting to Maria, in order that she may
leave him at liberty to address me. I must change the subject.
[Aside, and rings a bell.

Enter SERVANT.

Frank, order the horses to.--Talking of marriage, did you hear that
Sally Bloomsbury is going to be married next week to Mr. Indigo, the
rich Carolinian?

LETITIA

Sally Bloomsbury married!--why, she is not yet in her teens.

CHARLOTTE

I do not know how that is, but you may depend upon it, 'tis a done
affair. I have it from the best authority. There is my aunt Wyerly's
Hannah. You know Hannah; though a black, she is a wench that was never
caught in a lie in her life. Now, Hannah has a brother who courts
Sarah, Mrs. Catgut the milliner's girl, and she told Hannah's brother,
and Hannah, who, as I said before, is a girl of undoubted veracity,
told it directly to me, that Mrs. Catgut was making a new cap for Miss
Bloomsbury, which, as it was very dressy, it is very probable is
designed for a wedding cap. Now, as she is to be married, who can it
be to but to Mr. Indigo? Why, there is no other gentleman that visits
at her papa's.

LETITIA

Say not a word more, Charlotte. Your intelligence is so direct and
well grounded, it is almost a pity that it is not a piece of scandal.

CHARLOTTE

Oh! I am the pink of prudence. Though I cannot charge myself with
ever h