_Handy, jun._ Yes; and from this moment I'll maintain, that the real temple of love is a parish church--Cupid is a chubby curate--his torch is the sexton's lantern--and the according pæan of the spheres is the profound nasal thorough bass of the clerk's Amen. _Ash._ Huzza! only to think now--my blessing go with you, my children! _Dame._ And mine. _Ash._ And Heaven's blessing too. Ecod, I believe now, as thy feyther zays, thee canst do every thing! _Handy, jun._ No; for there is one thing I cannot do--injure the innocence of woman. _Ash._ Drabbit it! I shall walk in the road all day to zee Sue ride by in her own coach. _Susan._ You must ride with me, father. _Dame._ I say, Tummas, what will Mrs. Grundy say then? _Ash._ I do hope thee will not be asham'd of thy feyther in laa, wool ye? _Handy, jun._ No; for then I must also be ashamed of myself, which I am resolved not to be again. _Enter_ SIR ABEL HANDY. _Sir Abel._ Heyday, Bob! why an't you gallanting your intended bride? but you are never where you ought to be. _Handy, jun._ Nay, sir, by your own confession I _am_ where I ought to be. _Sir Abel._ No! you ought to be at the Castle--Sir Philip is there, and Miss Blandford is there, and Lady Handy is there, and therefore-- _Handy, jun._ You are _not_ there. In one word, I shall not marry Miss Blandford. _Sir Abel._ Indeed! who told you so? _Handy, jun._ One who never lies--and, therefore, one I am determined to make a friend of--my conscience. _Sir Abel._ But zounds! sir, what excuse have you? _Handy, jun._ [_Taking_ SUSAN'S _hand._] A very fair one, sir--is not she? _Sir Abel._ Why, yes, sir, I can't deny it--but, 'sdeath, sir, this overturns my best plan! _Handy, jun._ No, sir; for a parent's best plan is his son's happiness, and that it will establish. Come, give us your consent. Consider how we admire all your wonderful inventions. _Sir Abel._ No, not my plough, Bob--but 'tis a devilish clever plough. _Handy, jun._ I dare say it is. Come, sir, consent, and perhaps, in our turn, we may invent something that may please you. _Sir Abel._ He! he! he! well--but hold--what's the use of my consent without my wife's--bless you! I dare no more approve, without-- _Enter_ GERALD. _Gerald._ Health to this worthy company! _Sir Abel._ The same to you, sir. _Handy, jun._ Who have we here, I wonder? _Gerald._ I wish to speak with Sir Abel Handy. _Sir Abel._ I am the person. _Gerald._ You are married? _Sir Abel._ Damn it! he sees it in my face.--Yes, I have that happiness. _Gerald._ Is it a happiness? _Sir Abel._ To say the truth--why do you ask? _Gerald._ I want answers, not questions--and depend on't 'tis your interest to answer me. _Handy, jun._ An extraordinary fellow this! _Gerald._ Would it break your heart to part with her! _Sir Abel._ Who are you, sir, that---- _Gerald._ Answers--I want answers--would it break your heart, I ask? _Sir Abel._ Why, not absolutely, I hope. Time, and philosophy, and----