p so much, I likewise shall observe a contrary conduct, and
indulge you with a _tete-a-tete_ frequently, my dear.--But I have fifty
places to call at yet:--I am to wait on Miss Nancy Startup, Miss Biddy
Dresswise, Miss Gaudy, Miss Titterwell, Mrs. Furbelow, Mrs. Neverhome,
Mrs--_et caetera, et caetera_; which visits I mean to pay with all the
formality and fashionable shortness in my power: from thence I shall
proceed to Mademoiselle Mincit, the milliner; from thence to two or three
score of shops in William-Street, to buy a prodigious number of important--

HARRIET. Trifles.

MARIA. You are right, my dear;--as I live, I would not be one of those
officious "Nothing else, Ma'ms?" for all the goods from the North Church to
Maiden-Lane.--Adieu,--I leave you to meditate on what I have told you.

HARRIET. Farewell. [_Exit MARIA._] Now Maria is gone, I will see no more
company.--If anything can be an excuse for a falsehood, the present
occasion offers a very good one:--I feel my mind pretty much at ease, and I
do not choose to have it disturbed by the impertinence of pretended
friends.--Who is there?

_Enter SERVANT._

SERVANT. Madam.

HARRIET. Whoever calls to see me to-day, remember I am not at home.

SERVANT. Mr. Worthnought is here now, Madam; must I deny you to him?

HARRIET. Undoubtedly. [_Exit SERVANT._] I am disgusted with the repetition
of that coxcomb's nonsense.--[_Sighs._]--I wish Charles was here:--In spite
of the false delicacy of that tyrant, Custom, which forbids us to speak the
exquisite effusions of a susceptible heart, I can now speak boldly, while
that heart dictates to the willing tongue what complacence it feels at the
prospect of its Charles's return.

[_Exit._

SCENE IV. _Another part of MR. FRIENDLY'S House._

_WORTHNOUGHT, discovered solus._

WORTHNOUGHT. Who comes here! He sha'n't see her, if I don't,
'foregad--Curse me, but he shall go away with a flea in his ear.

_Enter YOUNG LOVEYET, followed by HUMPHRY._

HUMPHRY. Mr. Lovit--Mr. Lovit.--[_Takes him aside._] As I was a going
along, d'ye see, I see you pop in here, and so I follow'd you, to tell you,
how old Mr. Lovit said he was intend for to go for to see the old fellow's
daughter, to tell her something about the letter. Don't Mrs. Harriet live
here?

LOVEYET. I'll make haste, and supersede the design of his
errand, if possible;--it would be a pity he should come b