s that
concerns you as well as me.
_Friend_. Me! What do you mean, Sir _Timothy_?
Sir _Tim_. Why, Sir, you know what I mean.
_Friend_. Not I, Sir.
Sir _Tim_. What, not that I am to marry your Sister _Celinda_?
_Friend_. Not at all.
_Bel_. O, this insufferable Sot! [_Aside_.
_Friend_. My Sister, Sir, is very nice.
Sir _Tim_. That's all one, Sir, the old People have adjusted the matter,
and they are the most proper for a Negotiation of that kind, which saves
us the trouble of a tedious Courtship.
_Friend_. That the old People have agreed the matter, is more than
I know.
Sir _Tim_. Why, Lord, Sir, will you persuade me to that? Don't you know
that your Father (according to the Method in such Cases, being certain
of my Estate) came to me thus--Sir _Timothy Tawdrey_,--you are a young
Gentleman, and a Knight, I knew your Father well, and my right
worshipful Neighbour, our Estates lie together; therefore, Sir, I have a
desire to have a near Relation with you--At which, I interrupted him,
and cry'd--Oh Lord, Sir, I vow to Fortune, you do me the greatest
Honour, Sir, and the rest--
_Bel_. I can endure no more; he marry fair _Celinda_!
_Friend_. Prithee let him alone. [_Aside_.
Sir _Tim_. To which he answer'd--I have a good Fortune--have but my Son
_Ned_, and this Girl, call'd _Celinda_, whom I will make a Fortune,
sutable to yours; your honoured Mother, the Lady _Tawdrey_, and I, have
as good as concluded the Match already. To which I (who, though I say
it, am well enough bred for a Knight) answered the Civility thus--I vow
to Fortune, Sir--I did not swear, but cry'd--I protest, Sir, _Celinda_,
deserves--no, no, I lye again, 'twas merits--Ay, _Celinda_--merits a
much better Husband than I.
_Friend_. You speak more Truth than you are aware of. [_Aside_.]
Well, Sir, I'll bring you to my Sister; and if she likes you, as well as
My Father does, she's yours; otherwise, I have so much Tenderness for
her, as to leave her Choice free.
Sir _Tim_. Oh, Sir, you compliment. _Alons, Entrons.
[Exeunt_.
SCENE II. _A Chamber_.
_Enter_ Celinda, _and_ Nurse.
_Cel_. I wonder my Brother stays so long: sure Mr. _Bellmour_ is not
yet arriv'd, yet he sent us word he would be here to day. Lord, how
impatient I grow!
_Nur_. Ay, so methinks; if I had the hopes of enjoying so sweet a
Gentleman as Mr. _Bellmour_, I shou'd be so too--But I am pa
|