The Conscious Lovers

Now, sir, I suppose you having found the ill consequences of these strong passions and prejudices, in preference of one woman to another, in case of a man’s becoming a widower⁠— John Bevil How is this? Bevil Jr. I say, sir, experience has made you wiser in your care of me; for, sir, since you lost my dear mother, your time has been so heavy, so lonely, and so tasteless, that you are so good as to guard me against the like unhappiness, by marrying me prudentially by way of bargain and sale. For, as you well judge, a woman that is espoused for a fortune, is yet a better bargain if she dies; for then a man still enjoys what he did marry, the money, and is disencumbered of what he did not marry, the woman. John Bevil But pray, sir, do you think Lucinda, then, a woman of such little merit? Bevil Jr. Pardon me, sir, I don’t carry it so far neither; I am rather afraid I shall like her too well; she has, for one of her fortune, a great many needless and superfluous good qualities. John Bevil I am afraid, son, there’s something I don’t see yet, something that’s smothered under all this raillery. Bevil Jr. Not in the least, sir. If the lady is dressed and ready, you see I am. I suppose the lawyers are ready too. Humphry This may grow warm if I don’t interpose. Aside.⁠—Sir, Mr. Sealand is at the coffeehouse, and has sent to speak with you. John Bevil Oh! that’s well! Then I warrant the lawyers are ready. Son, you’ll be in the way, you say. Bevil Jr. If you please, sir, I’ll take a chair, and go to Mr. Sealand’s, where the young lady and I will wait your leisure. John Bevil By no means. The old fellow will be so vain if he sees⁠— Bevil Jr. Ay; but the young lady, sir, will think me so indifferent. Humphry Ay, there you are right; press your readiness to go to the bride⁠—he won’t let you. Aside to Bevil Jr. Bevil Jr. Are you sure of that? Aside to Humphry. Humphry How he likes being prevented. Aside. John Bevil No, no. You are an hour or two too early. Looking on his watch. Bevil Jr. You’ll allow me, sir, to think it too late to visit a beautiful, virtuous young woman, in the pride and bloom of life, ready to give herself to my arms; and to place her happiness or misery, for the future, in being agreeable or displeasing to me, is a⁠—Call a chair. John Bevil No, no, no, dear Jack; this Sealand is a moody old fellow. There’s no dealing with some people but by managing with indifference. We must leave to him the conduct of this day. It is the last of his commanding his daughter. Bevil Jr. Sir, he can’t take it ill, that I am impatient to be hers. John Bevil Pray let me govern in this matter; you can’t tell how humorsome old fellows are. There’s no offering reason to some of ’em, especially when they are rich.⁠—If my son should see him before I’ve brought old Sealand into better temper, the match would be impracticable. Aside. Humphry Pray, sir, let me beg you to let Mr. Bevil go.⁠—See whether he will or not. Aside to Sir John.⁠—Then to Bevil Jr. Pray, sir, command yourself; since you see my master is positive, it is better you should not go. Bevil Jr. My father commands me, as to the object of my affections; but I hope he will not, as to the warmth and height of them. John Bevil So! I must even leave things as I found them; and in the meantime, at least, keep old Sealand out of his sight⁠—Well, son, I’ll go myself and take orders in your affair. You’ll be in the way, I suppose, if I send to you. I’ll leave your old friend with you⁠—Humphry, don’t let him stir, d’ye hear?⁠—Your servant, your servant. Exit Sir John. Humphry I have a sad time on’t, sir, between you and my master. I see you are unwilling, and I know his violent inclinations for the match.⁠—I must betray neither, and yet deceive you both, for your common good. Heaven grant a good end of this matter.⁠—But there is a lady, sir, that gives your father much trouble and sorrow.⁠—You’ll pardon me. Bevil Jr. Humphry, I know thou art a friend to both, and in that confidence I dare tell thee, that lady is a woman of honour and virtue. You may assure yourself I never will marry without my father’s consent. But give me leave to say, too, this declaration does not come up to a promise that I will take whomsoever he pleases. Humphry Come, sir, I wholly understand you. You would engage my services to free you from this woman whom my master intends you, to make way, in time, for the woman you have really a mind to. Bevil Jr. Honest Humphry, you have always been a useful friend to my father and myself; I beg you continue your good offices, and don’t let us come to the necessity of a dispute; for, if we should dispute, I must either part with more than life, or lose the best of fathers. Humphry My dear master, were I but worthy to know this secret, that so near concerns you, my life, my all should be engaged to serve you. This, sir, I dare promise, that I am sure I will and can be secret: your trust, at worst, but leaves you where you were; and if I cannot serve you, I will at once be plain and tell you so. Bevil Jr. That’s all I ask. Thou hast made it now my interest to trust thee. Be patient, then, and hear the story of my heart. Humphry I am all attention, sir. Bevil Jr. You may remember, Humphry, that in my last travels my father grew uneasy at my making so long a