MISS HARDCASTLE. (Aside.) Who could ever suppose this fellow impudent upon some occasions? (To him.) You were going to observe, sir---- MARLOW. I was observing, madam--I protest, madam, I forget what I was going to observe. MISS HARDCASTLE. (Aside.) I vow and so do I. (To him.) You were observing, sir, that in this age of hypocrisy--something about hypocrisy, sir. MARLOW. Yes, madam. In this age of hypocrisy there are few who upon strict inquiry do not--a--a--a-- MISS HARDCASTLE. I understand you perfectly, sir. MARLOW. (Aside.) Egad! and that’s more than I do myself. MISS HARDCASTLE. You mean that in this hypocritical age there are few that do not condemn in public what they practise in private, and think they pay every debt to virtue when they praise it. MARLOW. True, madam; those who have most virtue in their mouths, have least of it in their bosoms. But I’m sure I tire you, madam. MISS HARDCASTLE. Not in the least, sir; there’s something so agreeable and spirited in your manner, such life and force--pray, sir, go on. MARLOW. Yes, madam. I was saying----that there are some occasions, when a total want of courage, madam, destroys all the----and puts us----upon a--a--a-- MISS HARDCASTLE. I agree with you entirely; a want of courage upon some occasions assumes the appearance of ignorance, and betrays us when we most want to excel. I beg you’ll proceed. MARLOW. Yes, madam. Morally speaking, madam--But I see Miss Neville expecting us in the next room. I would not intrude for the world. MISS HARDCASTLE. I protest, sir, I never was more agreeably entertained in all my life. Pray go on. MARLOW. Yes, madam, I was----But she beckons us to join her. Madam, shall I do myself the honour to attend you? MISS HARDCASTLE. Well, then, I’ll follow. MARLOW. (Aside.) This pretty smooth dialogue has done for me. [Exit.] MISS HARDCASTLE. (Alone.) Ha! ha! ha! Was there ever such a sober, sentimental interview? I’m certain he scarce looked in my face the whole time. Yet the fellow, but for his unaccountable bashfulness, is pretty well too. He has good sense, but then so buried in his fears, that it fatigues one more than ignorance. If I could teach him a little confidence, it would be doing somebody that I know of a piece of service. But who is that somebody?--That, faith, is a question I can scarce answer. [Exit.] Enter TONY and MISS NEVILLE, followed by MRS. HARDCASTLE and HASTINGS. TONY. What do you follow me for, cousin Con? I wonder you’re not ashamed to be so very engaging. MISS NEVILLE. I hope, cousin, one may speak to one’s own relations, and not be to blame. TONY. Ay, but I know what sort of a relation you want to make me, though; but it won’t do. I tell you, cousin Con, it won’t do; so I beg you’ll keep your distance, I want no nearer relationship. [She follows, coquetting him to the back scene.]