MAR. You would? and did you dare to call my husband names, and such a name? There, there, there, and there! _She seizes him by the collar with her left hand, and thrashes him with her right, and finishes by knocking his hat over his eyes, as SIR WILLIAM and LORD and LADY PLATO appear at the back._ --(_running to SIR WILLIAM_) I'm so glad you've come, my dear--he won't behave bad any more, _I_ can promise--I've given him such a thrashing! JOE. I won't come _here_ again, _I_ know! I came to see my cousin that was once so fond o' me, only to bid her good bye, and I haven't been in the house more nor half-an-hour, and I've been kicked and thumped about by everybody. I shall go to my new place with, a black eye, I know. SIR W. My dear Margery, there was no necessity for being so severe with your cousin, I had sufficiently corrected him, though I must confess that I have not witnessed this proof of the openness of your heart, and the striking simplicity of your nature, without a feeling of gratification. _Enter BLENHEIM, at the back._ BLEN. Ah, Sir William! I am afraid I am a little over my time. I beg your pardon--I was not aware you had strangers. SIR W. (_confused_) My uncle, and--and his wife. I thought you might be already acquainted. PLATO. And so we _are_, now I look again--'tis Captain Blenheim, the son of an old friend. Allow me to introduce you to Lady Plato, my dear--you will be charmed to make the lady's acquaintance. LADY P. (_curtseying with gravity_) I shall at all times be delighted at an introduction to any friend of my husband. SIR W. (_aside_) I'm perfectly astonished! MAR. (_aside_) I couldn't make believe like that. PLATO. (_to SIR WILLIAM_) You see, my dear nephew! you perceive what sweetness, what refined obedience. Ah! a thousand pities you did not make such a selection; but, as we say in the classics--"_a fronte præcipitium a tergo lupus,_"--I need say no more. SIR W. (_aside_) Indeed you needn't! I am perfectly satisfied with my unfortunate choice. What dissimulation! (_aloud_) Margaret, my dear, will you kiss me? MAR. Oh, won't I? There! SIR W. And there! (_embracing her_) You don't want to kiss cousin Joe now, I hope? JOE. I wouldn't let her if she did. MAR. Bless his heart! I think no more of kissing him than I should my grandmother--but he must not forget himself. SIR W. I forgive him; and, if agreeable, he may remain and dine with us. MAR. There, Joe, you may stay and dine with us if you will. JOE. Well, then, I will; and I'll be revenged on his wittels, if I can't on him--ha, ha! SIR W. (_to MARGERY_) And you are happier in your homely attire? MAR. Oh, much happier! if only because 'twas what I wore when you first loved me. SIR W. And you will be much happier still if I leave you to follow the dictates of your own heart and feelings, without the direction of masters or of books?