HARD. And yet, Kate, I sometimes give you some cause, particularly when I recommended my _modest_ gentleman to you as a lover to-day. MISS HARD. You taught me to expect something extraordinary, and I find the original exceeds the description. HARD. I was never so surprised in my life! He has quite confounded all my faculties! MISS HARD. I never saw anything like it: and a man of the world too! HARD. 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 HARD. It seems all natural to him. HARD. A good deal assisted by bad company, and a French dancing-master. MISS HARD. Sure you mistake, papa! A French dancing-master could never have taught him that timid look,—that awkward address,—that bashful manner— HARD. Whose look? whose manner, child? MISS HARD. Mr. Marlow's: his mauvaise honte, his timidity struck me at the first sight. HARD. Then your first sight deceived you; for I think him one of the most brazen first-sights that ever astonished my senses. MISS HARD. Sure, sir, you rally! I never saw any one so modest. HARD. 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. [Illustration: MISS HARDCASTLE.—"_Yes. But upon conditions._"—_p._ 350. ] MISS HARD. Surprising! he met me with a respectful bow, a stammering voice, and a look fixed on the ground. HARD. He met me with a loud voice, a lordly air, and a familiarity that made my blood freeze again. MISS HARD. 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." HARD. 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. Yes, Kate, he asked your father if he was a maker of punch! MISS HARD. One of us must certainly be mistaken. HARD. If he be what he has shown himself, I'm determined he shall never have my consent. MISS HARD. And if he be the sullen thing I take him, he shall never have mine. HARD. In one thing then we are agreed—to reject him. MISS HARD. Yes. But upon conditions. For if you should find him less impudent, and I more presuming; if you find him more respectful, and I more importunate—I don't know—the fellow is good enough for a man—Certainly we don't meet many such at a horse-race in the country. HARD. If we should find him so—but that's impossible. The first appearance has done my business. I'm seldom deceived in that. MISS HARD. And yet there may be many good qualities under that first appearance.