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32 Sir John. Never—never, Lovewell!

Lovew. You have gone too far to recede. A negotiation, ſo nearly concluded, cannot be broken off with any grace. The lawyers, you know, are hourly expected; the preliminaries almoſt finally ſettled between Lord Ogleby and Mr. Sterling; and Miſs Sterling herſelf ready to receive you as a huſband.

Sir John. Why the banns have been publiſhed, and nobody has forbidden them, 'tis true—but you know either of the parties may change their minds even after they enter the church.

Lovew. You think too lightly of this matter. To carry your addreſſes ſo far—and then to deſert her—and for her ſiſter too!—It will be ſuch an affront to the family, that they can never put up with it.

Sir John. I don't think ſo: for as to my transferring my paſſion from her to her ſiſter, ſo much the better!—for then, you know, I don't carry my affections out of the family.

Lovew. Nay, but prithee be ſerious, and think better of it.

Sir John. I have thought better of it already, you ſee. Tell me honeſtly, Lovewell! can you blame me? Is there any compariſon between them?

Lovew. As to that now—why that—that is juſt—juſt as it may ſtrike different people. There are many admirers of Miſs Sterling's vivacity.

Sir John. Vivacity! a medley of Cheapſide pertneſs, and Whitechapel pride.—No—no—if I do go ſo far into the city for a wedding-dinner, it ſhall be upon turtle at leaſt.

Lovew. But I ſee no probability of ſucceſs; for granting that Mr. Sterling wou'd have conſented to it at firſt, he cannot liſten to it now. Why did not you break this affair to the family before?

Sir John. Under ſuch embarraſſed circumſtances as I have been, can you wonder at my irreſolution or perplexity? Nothing but deſpair, the fear of loſing my dear Fanny, cou'd bring me to a declaration even