--or menace of your father,--in fine, that nai
consideration whatever,--shall induce you to take me, Rodolpha
Lumbercourt, to be your wedded wife.

_Eger_. Madam, I most solemnly promise, I never will.

_Lady Rod_. And I, sir, most solemnly, and sincerely [_Curtsies._] thank
you--for [_Curtsies._] your resolution, and your agreeable aversion--ha,
ha, ha! for you have made me as happy as a poor wretch, reprieved in the
vary instant of intended execution.

_Eger_. Pray, madam, how am I to understand all this?

_Lady Rod._[_With frankness, and, a reverse of manners_.] Why, sir, your
frankness and sincerity demand the same behaviour on my side;--therefore,
without farther disguise or ambiguity, know, sir, that I myself [_With a
deep sigh_.] am as deeply smitten with a certain swain, as I understand
you are with your Constantia.

_Eger_. Indeed, madam!

_Lady Rod_. [_With an amiable, soft, tender sincerity_.] O! sir,
notwithstanding aw my shew of courage and mirth,--here I stand--as errant
a trembling Thisbe, as ever sighed or mourned for her Pyramus,--and, sir,
aw my extravagant levity and ridiculous behaviour in your presence now,
and ever since _your_ father prevailed upon _mine_ to consent till this
match, has been a premeditated scheme to provoke your gravity and guid
sense intill a cordial disgust, and a positive refusal.

_Eger_. Madam, you have contrived and executed your scheme most happily.

_Lady Rod_. Then, since Cupid has thus luckily disposed of you till your
Constantia, and me till my swain, we have nothing to think of now, sir,
but to contrive how to reduce the inordinate passions of our parents
intill a temper of prudence and humanity.

_Eger_. Most willingly I consent to your proposal.----But, with your
leave, madam, if I may presume so far;--'pray, who is your lover?

_Lady Rod_. Why, in that too I shall surprise you perhaps more than
ever.--In the first place--he is a beggar--and in disgrace with an
unforgiving father;--and in the next place,--he is [_Curtsies._] your ain
brother.

_Eger_. Is it possible?

_Lady Rod_. A most amorous truth, sir;--that is, as far as a woman can
answer for her ain heart. [_in a laughing gaiety_.] So you see, cousin
Charles, thof I you'd nai mingle affections with _you_--I have nai ganged
out of the family.

_Eger_. [_A polite rapture, frank_.] Madam, give me leave to congratulate
myself upon your affection,--you cou'd not have placed it on a worthier
object;