Page:York dialogue between Ned and Harry, or, Ned giving Harry an account of his courtship and marriage state.pdf/9

A YORK DIALOGUE.9 a good wife, that minded nothing but her pride.

Ned. Well, Harry, but you are miſtaken, for ſome of them do make very good wives, and are very good houſe wives too.

Harry. How long were you a courting her, before ſhe gave conſent to marry you?

Ned. Why, about a year or more, and all that while I very little did mind myſelf for minding of her, for I was fain to watch her as a cat watcheth a mouſe for fear of a rival. At laſt I told her I hoped now ſhe would conſent to marry me, if not to tell me ſo, for it was a great loſs to me to loſe my time ſo day after day. Upon theſe words, ſhe told me ſhe thought I was in earneſt, but ſhe did not much like the houſe I liv'd in. I told her it was a very pretty houſe; and I ſhould be glad to ſee her in it. Upon this the ſmiled, and gave me her conſent.

Harry. Was you aſk'd in the church, Ned, or had you a licence?

Ned. I went on purpoſe to aſk her that queſtion, and the told me ſhe was a gentlewoman born, and did not care