Lord _Town._ Come, I beg pardon, child----this is not a point, I grant you, to trifle upon; therefore, I hope you'll give me leave to be serious. Lady _Grace._ If you desire it, brother! though upon my word, as to Mr. _Manly_'s having any serious thoughts of me--I know nothing of it. Lord _Town._ Well----there's nothing wrong, in your making a doubt of it----But, in short, I find, by his conversation of late, that he has been looking round the world for a wife; and if you were to look round the world for a husband, he's the first man I would give to you. Lady _Grace._ Then, whenever he makes me an offer, brother, I will certainly tell you of it. Lord _Town._ O! that's the last thing he'll do; he'll never make you an offer, 'till he's pretty sure it won't be refus'd. Lady _Grace._ Now you make me curious. Pray! did he ever make an offer of that kind to you? Lord _Town._ Not directly; but that imports nothing; he is a man too well acquainted with the female world, to be brought into a high opinion of any one woman, without some well examined proof of her merit: Yet I have reason to believe, that your good sense, your turn of mind, and your way of life, have brought him to so favourable a one of you, that a few days will reduce him to talk plainly to me: Which as yet, (notwithstanding our friendship) I have neither declin'd nor encouraged him to. Lady _Grace._ I am mighty glad we are so near in our way of thinking: For, to tell you the truth, he is much upon the same terms with me: You know he has a satirical turn; but never lashes any folly, without giving due encomiums to its opposite virtue: and upon such occasions, he is sometimes particular, in turning his compliments upon me, which I don't receive, with any reserve, lest he should imagine I take them to myself. Lord _Town._ You are right, child, when a man of merit makes his addresses: good sense may give him an answer, without scorn, or coquetry. Lady _Grace._ Hush! he's here---- _Enter Mr. ~Manly~._ _Man._ My Lord! your most obedient. Lord _Town._ Dear _Manly_! yours----I was thinking to send to you. _Man._ Then, I am glad I am here, my Lord----Lady _Grace_, I kiss your hands!----What, only you two! How many visits may a man make, before he falls into such unfashionable company? A brother and sister soberly sitting at home, when the whole town is a gadding! I question if there is so particular a _tête à tête_, again, in the whole parish of St. _James_'s. Lady _Grace._ Fy! fy! Mr. _Manly_; how censorious you are! _Man._ I had not made the reflexion, Madam, but that I saw you an exception to it--Where's my lady? Lord _Town._ That I believe is impossible to guess. _Man._ Then I won't try, my Lord---- Lord _Town._ But 'tis probable I may hear of her by that time I am four or five hours in bed. _Man._ Now, if that were my case, I believe I should----But I beg pardon, my Lord.