least: I never
was in love with her, nor did I ever intend marriage, which is more than
_she_ can say; and, I believe, it is fortunate for us both, that you
arriv'd when you did, or something might have happened, which would have
obliged me to marry her, merely to prevent her from being miserable.--Ha,
ha, ha. Tol lol, &c.

[_Exit._

HARRIET. What a superlative wretch!

LOVEYET. He is too contemptible to cost you a thought, Harriet:--none but
the puppy tribe, and a few splenetic old maids, will pay any attention to
his slander; they, no doubt, will spread it with avidity;--but to be
traduced by such, is to be praised.--Hah!--there comes my father;--I forgot
to tell you I expected him here: I will try if he knows me.

_Enter OLD LOVEYET._

OLD LOVEYET. Madam, your most obedient;--Sir, your servant.

LOVEYET. [_Bows._] I find he does not know me:--Nature, be still; for now I
feel he is indeed my father.

HARRIET. Mr. Loveyet, I am happy to see you.

OLD LOVEYET. She would not be quite so happy, if she knew my errand.
[_Aside._]--I have waited on you, madam, upon disagreeable business.

HARRIET. How, sir?--I beg you will not leave me in suspense: What is it?

OLD LOVEYET. It is a matter of a delicate nature, madam, and therefore,
must not be spoken at random.

LOVEYET. Heaven avert any unfavourable event! [_Aside._

HARRIET. Mr. Loveyet, your cautious innuendoes give me sensible uneasiness.

LOVEYET. I will withdraw, Miss Trueman;--My love--friendship, I would say,
though it wishes to afford you happiness, and participate in your troubles,
does not presume to intrude on the private conversation Mr. Loveyet wishes.

HARRIET. I dare say your presence is no restraint, sir.

OLD LOVEYET. I don't know that, madam: pray, who is the gentleman?

HARRIET. The gentleman is my very particular friend, sir.

OLD LOVEYET. By my body, here is rare work going on.--[_Aside._]--Well,
madam, as the gentleman is your _very particular friend_; and as his
_love_--friendship, I mean, is so great, that you dare to entrust all your
secrets with him; I shall acquaint you, that, as you and my son have long
entertained a partiality for each other, and being desirous to fulfill all
my engagements, as well as to make him happy, I have wrote for him to come
and conclude the marriage; but, for very good reasons, I have this day
determined to forbid the bans; an