usan?

(_He is a most melancholic young man, and he fidgets her._)

MISS SUSAN (_with spirit_). You have been standing beside me, sir,
nearly all the evening. SPICER (_humbly. It is strange to think that
he had been favourably mentioned in despatches_). Indeed, I cannot but
be cognisant of the sufferings I cause by attaching myself to you in
this unseemly manner. Accept my assurances, ma'am, that you have my
deepest sympathy.

MISS SUSAN. Then why do you do it?

SPICER. Because you are her aunt, ma'am. It is a scheme of mine by
which I am in hopes to soften her heart. Her affection for you, ma'am,
is beautiful to observe, and if she could be persuaded that I seek her
hand from a passionate desire to have you for my Aunt Susan--do you
perceive anything hopeful in my scheme, ma'am?

MISS SUSAN. No, sir, I do not.

(SPICER _wanders away gloomily, takes too much to drink, and ultimately
becomes a general_. ENSIGN BLADES _appears, frowning, and_ CHARLOTTE
_ventures to touch his sleeve._)

CHARLOTTE. Ensign Blades, I have not danced with you once this evening.

BLADES (_with the cold brutality of a lover to another she_). Nor I
with you, Charlotte. (_To_ SUSAN.) May I solicit of you, Miss Susan,
is Captain Brown Miss Livvy's guardian; is he affianced to her?

MISS SUSAN. No, sir.

BLADES. Then by what right, ma'am, does he interfere? Your elegant
niece had consented to accompany me to the shrubbery--to look at the
moon. And now Captain Brown forbids it. 'Tis unendurable.

CHARLOTTE. But you may see the moon from here, sir.

BLADES (_glancing at it contemptuously_). I believe not, ma'am. (_The
moon still shines on._)

MISS SUSAN (_primly_). I am happy Captain Brown forbade her.

BLADES. Miss Susan, 'twas but because he is to conduct her to the
shrubbery himself.

(_He flings out pettishly, and_ MISS SUSAN _looks pityingly at the
wall-flowers._)

MISS SUSAN. My poor Charlotte! May I take you to some very agreeable
ladies?

CHARLOTTE (_tartly_). No, you may not. I am going to the shrubbery to
watch Miss Livvy.

MISS SUSAN. Please not to do that.

CHARLOTTE (_implying that_ MISS SUSAN _will be responsible for her
early death_). My chest is weak. I shall sit among the dew.

MISS SUSAN. Charlotte, you terrify me. At least, please to put this
cloak about your shoulders. Nay, my dear, allow me.

(_She puts a cloak around_ CHARLOTTE, _who departs vindictively for the
shrub