I doubt not but I shall, Sir. And I dare say, so would you, if you were
to have Miss Harlowe.
If I could be happy in it with any body, it would be with Miss Harlowe.
I am surprised, Sir!----Then, after all, you don't think of marrying Miss
Harlowe!----After the hard usage----
What hard usage, Mr. Hickman? I don't doubt but a lady of her niceness
has represented what would appear trifles to any other, in a very strong
light.
If what I have had hinted to me, Sir--excuse me--had been offered to the
lady, she has more than trifles to complain of.
Let me know what you have heard, Mr. Hickman? I will very truly answer
to the accusations.
Sir, you know best what you have done: you own the lady is the most
injured, as well as the most deserving of her sex.
I do, Sir; and yet I would be glad to know what you have heard: for on
that, perhaps, depends my answer to the questions Miss Howe puts to me by
you.
Why then, Sir, since you ask it, you cannot be displeased if I answer
you:--in the first place, Sir, you will acknowledge, I suppose, that you
promised Miss Harlowe marriage, and all that?
Well, Sir, and I suppose what you have to charge me with is, that I was
desirous to have all that, without marriage?
Cot-so, Sir, I know you are deemed to be a man of wit: but may I not ask
if these things sit not too light upon you?
When a thing is done, and cannot be helped, 'tis right to make the best
of it. I wish the lady would think so too.
I think, Sir, ladies should not be deceived. I think a promise to a lady
should be as binding as to any other person, at the least.
I believe you think so, Mr. Hickman: and I believe you are a very honest,
good sort of a man.