harvard Classics Volume 18 by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Drama
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

ACT THE THIRD

Scene —A Room in Hardcastle’s House

Enter Hardcastle, alone

Hardcastle

What could my old friend Sir Charles mean by recommending his son as the modestest young man in town? To me he appears the most impudent piece of brass that ever spoke with a tongue. He has taken possession of the easy chair by the fire-side already. He took off his boots in the parlour, and desired me to see them taken care of. I’m desirous to know how his impudence affects my daughter. She will certainly be shocked at it.

Enter Miss Hardcastle, plainly dressed

Hardcastle

Well, my Kate, I see you have changed your dress, as I bade you; and yet, I believe there was no great occasion.

Miss Hardcastle

I find such a pleasure, sir, in obeying your commands, that I take care to observe them without ever debating their propriety.

Hardcastle

And yet, Kate, I sometimes give you some cause, particularly when I recommended my modest gentleman to you as a lover to-day.

Miss Hardcastle

You taught me to expect something extraordinary, and I find the original exceeds the description.

Hardcastle

I was never so surprised in my life! He has quite confounded all my faculties!

Miss Hardcastle

I never saw anything like it: and a man of the world too!

Hardcastle

Ay, he learned it all abroad—what a fool was I, to think a young man could learn modesty by travelling. He might as soon learn wit at a masquerade.

Miss Hardcastle

It seems all natural to him.

Hardcastle

A good deal assisted by bad company and a French dancing-master.

Miss Hardcastle

Sure you mistake, papa! A French dancing-master could never have taught him that timid look—that awkward address—that bashful manner—

Hardcastle

Whose look? whose manner, child?

Miss Hardcastle

Mr. Marlow’s: his mauvaise honte, his timidity, struck me at the first sight.

Hardcastle

Then your first sight deceived you; for I think him one of the most brazen first sights that ever astonished my senses.

Miss Hardcastle

Sure, sir, you rally! I never saw any one so modest.

Hardcastle

And can you be serious! I never saw such a bouncing, swaggering puppy since I was born. Bully Dawson was but a fool to him.

Miss Hardcastle

Surprising! He met me with a respectful bow, a stammering voice, and a look fixed on the ground.

Hardcastle

He met me with a loud voice, a lordly air, and a familiarity that made my blood freeze again.

Miss Hardcastle

He treated me with diffidence and respect; censured the manners of the age; admired the prudence of girls that never laughed; tired me with apologies for being tiresome; then left the room with a bow; and “Madam, I would not for the world detain you.”

Hardcastle

He spoke to me as if he knew me all his life before; asked twenty questions, and never waited for an answer; interrupted my best remarks with some silly pun; and when I was in my best story of the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene, he asked if I had not a good hand at making punch.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.