Clary Harlow
would have scorned such a match.
CHARLOTTE
Well, how was it on Mr. Dimple's return? Did he
meet a more favourable reception than his letters?
LETITIA
Much the same. She spoke of him with respect
abroad, and with contempt in her closet. She watched
his conduct and conversation, and found that he had
by travelling, acquired the wickedness of Lovelace
without his wit, and the politeness of Sir Charles Gran-
dison without his generosity. The ruddy youth, who
washed his face at the cistern every morning, and
swore and looked eternal love and constancy, was now
metamorphosed into a flippant, palid, polite beau, who
devotes the morning to his toilet, reads a few pages of
Chesterfield's letters, and then minces out, to put the
infamous principles in practice upon every woman he
meets.
CHARLOTTE
But, if she is so apt at conjuring up these senti-
mental bugbears, why does she not discard him at
once?
LETITIA
Why, she thinks her word too sacred to be trifled
with. Besides, her father, who has a great respect
for the memory of his deceased friend, is ever tell-
ing her how he shall renew his years in their union,
and repeating the dying injunctions of old Van
Dumpling.
CHARLOTTE
A mighty pretty story! And so you would make
me believe that the sensible Maria would give up
Dumpling manor, and the all-accomplished Dimple as
a husband, for the absurd, ridiculous reason, forsooth,
because she despises and abhors him.
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