2 FEL. O he takes after his own father for that. To be sure, old 'squire Lumpkin was the finest gentleman I ever set my eyes on. For winding the straight horn, or beating a thicket for a hare, or a wench, he never had his fellow. It was a saying in the place, that he kept the best horses, dogs, and girls in the whole county. TONY. Ecod, and when I'm of age I'll be no bastard, I promise you! I have been thinking of Bett Bouncer, and the miller's grey mare to begin with. But come, my boys, drink about and be merry, for you pay no reckoning.—Well, Stingo, what's the matter? _Enter_ LANDLORD. LAND. There be two gentlemen in a post-chaise at the door. They have lost their way upo' the forest; and they are talking something about Mr. Hardcastle. TONY. As sure as can be, one of them must be the gentleman that's coming down to court my sister.—Do they seem to be Londoners? LAND. I believe they may. They look woundily like Frenchmen. TONY. Then desire them to step this way, and I'll set them right in a twinkling. (_Exit_ LANDLORD.) Gentlemen, as they mayn't be good enough company for you, step down for a moment, and I'll be with you in the squeezing of a lemon. [_Exeunt mob._ TONY, _solus_. TONY. Father-in-law has been calling me whelp, and hound, this half year. Now if I pleased, I could be so revenged upon the old grumbletonian. But then I'm afraid—afraid of what? I shall soon be worth fifteen hundred a-year, and let him frighten me out of _that_ if he can. _Enter_ LANDLORD, _conducting_ MARLOW _and_ HASTINGS. MARL. What a tedious uncomfortable day have we had of it! We were told it was but forty miles across the country, and we have come above threescore. HAST. And all, Marlow, from that unaccountable reserve of yours, that would not let us inquire more frequently on the way. MARL. I own, Hastings, I am unwilling to lay myself under an obligation to every one I meet; and often stand the chance of an unmannerly answer. HAST. At present, however, we are not likely to receive any answer. TONY. No offence, gentlemen; but I'm told you have been inquiring for one Mr. Hardcastle, in those parts. Do you know what part of the country you are in? HAST. Not in the least, sir; but should thank you for information. TONY. Nor the way you came? HAST. No, sir; but if you can inform us—— TONY. Why, gentlemen, if you know neither the road you are going, nor where you are, nor the road you came, the first thing I have to inform you is, that—you have lost your way. MARL. We wanted no ghost to tell us that. TONY. Pray, gentlemen, may I be so bold as to ask the place from whence you came? MARL. That's not necessary towards directing us where we are to go. TONY. No offence; but question for question is all fair, you know. Pray, gentlemen, is not this same Hardcastle a cross-grained, old-fashioned, whimsical fellow, with an ugly face; a daughter, and a pretty son?