shly] he looked as if he was married.

CHARLOTTE

How, my dear; did he look sheepish?

MARIA

I am sure he has a susceptible heart, and the ladies of his
acquaintance must be very stupid not to--

CHARLOTTE

Hush! I hear some person coming.

Enter LETITIA.

LETITIA

My dear Maria, I am happy to see you. Lud! what a pity it is that you
have purchased your wedding clothes.

MARIA

I think so. [Sighing.]

LETITIA

Why, my dear, there is the sweetest parcel of silks come over you ever
saw! Nancy Brilliant has a full suit come; she sent over her measure,
and it fits her to a hair; it is immensely dressy, and made for a
court-hoop. I thought they said the large hoops were going out of
fashion.

CHARLOTTE

Did you see the hat? Is it a fact that the deep laces round the border
is still the fashion?

DIMPLE within. Upon my honour, Sir.

MARIA

Ha! Dimple's voice! My dear, I must take leave of you. There are
some things necessary to be done at our house. Can't I go through the
other room?

Enter DIMPLE and MANLY.

DIMPLE

Ladies, your most obedient.

CHARLOTTE

Miss Van Rough, shall I present my brother Henry to you? Colonel
Manly, Maria,--Miss Van Rough, brother.

MARIA

Her brother! [turns and sees Manly.] Oh! my heart! the very gentleman
I have been praising.

MANLY

The same amiable girl I saw this morning!

CHARLOTTE

Why, you look as if you were acquainted.

MANLY

I unintentionally intruded into this lady's presence this morning, for
which she was so good as to promise me her forgiveness.

CHARLOTTE

Oh! ho! is that the case! Have these two penserosos been together?
Were they Henry's eyes that looked so tenderly? [Aside.] And so you
promised to pardon him? and could you be so good-natured? have you
really forgiven him? I beg you would do it for my sake [whispering
loud to Maria]. But, my dear, as you are in such haste, it would be
cruel to detain you; I can show you the way through the other room.

MARIA

Spare me, my sprightly friend.

MANLY The lady does not, I hope, intend to deprive us of the pleasure
of her company so soon.

CHARLOTTE

She has only a mantua-maker who waits for her at home. But, as I am to
give my opinion of the dress, I think she cannot go yet. We were
talking of the fashions when you came in, but I suppose the subject
must be changed to something of more importance now. Mr. Dimpl