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8 muſt hear no more of this—Come, Lovewell, promiſe me that I ſhall hear no more of this.

Lovew. [heſitating.] I am afraid, Sir, I ſhou'd not be able to keep my word with you, if I did promiſe you.

Sterl. Why you wou'd not offer to marry her without my conſent? wou'd you, Lovewell!

Lovew. Marry her, Sir! [confuſed.]

Sterl. Ay, marry her, Sir!—I know very well that a warm ſpeech or two from ſuch a dangerous young ſpark, as you are, will go much farther towards perſuading a ſilly girl to do what ſhe has more than a month's mind to do, than twenty grave lectures from fathers or mothers, or uncles or aunts, to prevent her.—But you wou'd not, ſure, be ſuch a baſe fellow, ſuch a treacherous young rogue, as to ſeduce my daughter's affections, and deſtroy the peace of my family in that manner.—I muſt inſiſt on it, that you give me your word not to marry her without my conſent.

Lovew. Sir—I—I—as to that—I—I—I beg, Sir—Pray, Sir, excuſe me on this ſubject at preſent.

Sterl. Promiſe then, that you will carry this matter no further without my approbation.

Lovew. You may depend on it, Sir, that it ſhall go no further.

Sterl. Well—well—that's enough—I'll take care of the reſt, I warrant you.—Come, come, let's have done with this nonſenſe!—What's doing in town?—Any news upon 'Change?

Lovew. Nothing material.

Sterl. Have you ſeen the currants, the ſoap, and Madeira, ſafe in the warehouſes? Have you compared the goods with the invoice and bills of lading, and are they all right?

Lovew. They are, Sir!

Sterl. And how are ſtocks?

Lovew. Fell one and an half this morning. Sterl.