Page:Miscellaneous Plays 1.pdf/288

268

forgiveness, and I hope she will not suffer in your ladyship's good opinion for the honour she has conferred upon your humble servant.

He must be a very humble servant indeed who derives any honour from her.

We hoped from the message you were so obliging as to send us, that we should not find you very severe.

I think, however, I may be allowed to express some displeasure at not being consulted in a matter so interesting to my family, without being considered as very severe.

I only wonder she is not more angry with me. (Aloud to Lady Goodbody.) I was afraid, madam, of finding you unfavourable to my wishes, and durst not risk my happiness. But I hope you have no doubt of the honour of my intentions.

Certainly; I cannot doubt of their being very honourable, and very disinterested also.—I have known men mean enough and selfish enough to possess themselves by secret elopements of the