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52 Sir John. In the moſt ample manner, with no other reſtriction than the failure of your concurrence, Madam.—[ſees Sterling.]—Oh, here's Mr. Sterling, who will confirm what I have told you.

Mrs. Heidel. What! have you conſented to give up your own daughter in this manner, brother?

Sterl. Give her up! no, not give her up, ſiſter; only in caſe that you—Zounds, I am afraid you have ſaid too much, Sir John. [apart to Sir John.

Mrs: Heidel. Yes, yes. I ſee now that it is true enough what my niece told me. You are all plottin and caballin againſt her.—Pray, does Lord Ogleby know of this affair?

Sir John. I have not yet made him acquainted with it, Madam.

Mrs. Heidel. No, I warrant you. I thought ſo.—And ſo his Lordſhip and myſelf truly, are not to be conſulted 'till the laſt.

Sterl. What! did not you conſult my Lord? Oh fie for ſhame, Sir John!

Sir John. Nay, but Mr. Sterling—

Mrs. Heidel. We, who are the perſons of moſt conſequence and experunce in the two fammalies, are to know nothing of the matter, 'till the whole is as good as concluded upon. But his Lordſhip, I am ſure, will have more generoſaty than to countenance ſuch a perceeding—And I could not have expected ſuch behavour from a perſon of your quallaty, Sir John.—And as for you, brother—

Sterl. Nay, nay, but hear me, ſiſter!

Mrs. Heidel. I am perfetly aſhamed of you—Have you no ſpurrit? no more concern for the honour of our fammaly than to conſent—

Sterl. Conſent?—I conſent!—As I hope for mercy, I never gave my conſent. Did I conſent, Sir John?

Sir John. Not abſolutely, without Mrs. Heidelberg's concurrence. But in caſe of her approbation— Sterl.