Page:Dramas 1.pdf/251

Rh

were paid to that lady? (pointing to .)

My dear uncle, you must answer this question.

Then, frankly and honestly, I'll tell you the whole truth, which, in its full extent, even Freemantle himself is ignorant of. I counselled him to pay his chief attentions to Mrs. Charville, to conceal from you his design upon your sister, lest you should forbid him your house, and blast all his pretensions in the bud, being then ill entitled to propose himself as a suitor. And besides this

Why do you hesitate? Proceed. You will make your tale hang together, some way or other, I suppose.

Besides, I thought it might engage Mrs. Charville—(pardon me, Madam, you were a stranger to me, and I had heard that you were fond of such attentions,)—engage her to plead with you in his behalf.

And this is your story? A simple plot, truly, for a simple man to listen to.