She Stoops to Conquer

sorry, gentlemen, that I have nothing you like, but if there be anything you have a particular fancy to⁠— Marlow Why, really, sir, your bill of fare is so exquisite, that any one part of it is full as good as another. Send us what you please. So much for supper. And now to see that our beds are aired, and properly taken care of. Hardcastle I entreat you’ll leave that to me. You shall not stir a step. Marlow Leave that to you! I protest, sir, you must excuse me, I always look to these things myself. Hardcastle I must insist, sir, you’ll make yourself easy on that head. Marlow You see I’m resolved on it. Aside. A very troublesome fellow this, as I ever met with. Hardcastle Well, sir, I’m resolved at least to attend you. Aside. This may be modern modesty, but I never saw anything look so like old-fashioned impudence. Exeunt Marlow and Hardcastle. Hastings Alone. So I find this fellow’s civilities begin to grow troublesome. But who can be angry at those assiduities which are meant to please him? Ha! what do I see? Miss Neville, by all that’s happy! Enter Miss Neville. Miss Neville My dear Hastings! To what unexpected good fortune, to what accident, am I to ascribe this happy meeting? Hastings Rather let me ask the same question, as I could never have hoped to meet my dearest Constance at an inn. Miss Neville An inn! sure you mistake: my aunt, my guardian, lives here. What could induce you to think this house an inn? Hastings My friend, Mr. Marlow, with whom I came down, and I, have been sent here as to an inn, I assure you. A young fellow, whom we accidentally met at a house hard by, directed us hither. Miss Neville Certainly it must be one of my hopeful cousin’s tricks, of whom you have heard me talk so often; ha! ha! ha! Hastings He whom your aunt intends for you? he of whom I have such just apprehensions? Miss Neville You have nothing to fear from him, I assure you. You’d adore him, if you knew how heartily he despises me. My aunt knows it too, and has undertaken to court me for him, and actually begins to think she has made a conquest. Hastings Thou dear dissembler! You must know, my Constance, I have just seized this happy opportunity of my friend’s visit here to get admittance into the family. The horses that carried us down are now fatigued with their journey, but they’ll soon be refreshed; and then, if my dearest girl will trust in her faithful Hastings, we shall soon be landed in France, where even among slaves the laws of marriage are respected. Miss Neville I have often told you, that though ready to obey you, I yet should leave my little fortune behind with reluctance. The greatest part of it was left me by my uncle, the India director, and chiefly consists in jewels. I have been for some time persuading my aunt to let me wear them. I fancy I’m very near succeeding. The instant they are put into my possession, you shall find me ready to make them and myself yours. Hastings Perish the baubles! Your person is all I desire. In the meantime, my friend Marlow must not be let into his mistake. I know the strange reserve of his temper is such, that if abruptly informed of it, he would instantly quit the house before our plan was ripe for execution. Miss Neville But how shall we keep him in the deception? Miss Hardcastle is just returned from walking; what if we still continue to deceive him?⁠—This, this way⁠—They confer. Enter Marlow. Marlow The assiduities of these good people tease me beyond bearing. My host seems to think it ill manners to leave me alone, and so he claps not only himself, but his old-fashioned wife, on my back. They talk of coming to sup with us too; and then, I suppose, we are to run the gauntlet through all the rest of the family.⁠—What have we got here? Hastings My dear Charles! Let me congratulate you!⁠—The most fortunate accident!⁠—Who do you think is just alighted? Marlow Cannot guess. Hastings Our mistresses, boy, Miss Hardcastle and Miss Neville. Give me leave to introduce Miss Constance Neville to your acquaintance. Happening to dine in the neighbourhood, they called on their return to take fresh horses here. Miss Hardcastle has just stepped into the next room, and will be back in an instant. Wasn’t it lucky? eh! Marlow Aside. I have been mortified enough of all conscience, and here comes something to complete my embarrassment. Hastings Well, but wasn’t it the most fortunate thing in the world? Marlow Oh! yes. Very fortunate⁠—a most joyful encounter⁠—But our dresses, George, you know are in disorder⁠—What if we should postpone the happiness till tomorrow?⁠—Tomorrow at her own house⁠—It will be every bit as convenient⁠—and rather more respectful⁠—Tomorrow let it be. Offering to go. Miss Neville By no means, sir. Your ceremony will displease her. The disorder of your dress will show the ardour of your impatience. Besides, she knows you are in the house, and will permit you to see her. Marlow Oh, the devil! how shall I support it? Hem! hem! Hastings, you must not go. You are to assist me, you know. I shall be confoundedly ridiculous. Yet, hang it! I’ll take courage. Hem! Hastings Pshaw, man! it’s but the first plunge, and all’s over. She’s but a woman, you know. Marlow And, of all women, she that I dread most to encounter. Enter Miss Hardcastle, as returned from walking, a bonnet, etc. Hastings Introducing them. Miss Hardcastle, Mr. Marlow. I’m proud of bringing two persons of such merit together, that only want to know, to esteem each other. Miss Hardcastle Aside. Now for meeting my modest gentleman with a demure face, and quite in his own manner. After a pause, in which he appears very uneasy and disconcerted. I’m glad of your safe arrival, sir. I’m