_Dor._ Yes, Madam. _Let._ Then I wish you'd tell us about the fine sights you saw when you went over-sea.--I have read in a book, that there are some countries where the Men and Women are all Horses.--Did you see any of them? _Mrs. Rack._ Mr. Doricourt is not prepared, my dear, for these enquiries; he is reflecting on the importance of the question, and will answer you----when he can. _Let._ When he can! Why, he's as slow in speech, as Aunt Margery, when she's reading Thomas Aquinas;--and stands gaping like mum-chance. _Mrs. Rack._ Have a little discretion. _Let._ Hold your tongue!--Sure I may say what I please before I am married, if I can't afterwards.--D'ye think a body does not know how to talk to a Sweetheart. He is not the first I have had. _Dor._ Indeed! _Let._ Oh, Lud! He speaks!--Why, if you must know--there was the Curate at home:--when Papa was a-hunting, he used to come a suitoring, and make speeches to me out of books.--No body knows what a _mort_ of fine things he used to say to me;--and call me Venis, and Jubah, and Dinah! _Dor._ And pray, fair Lady, how did you answer him? _Let._ Why, I used to say, Look you, Mr. Curate, don't think to come over me with your flim-flams; for a better Man than ever trod in your shoes, is coming over-sea to marry me;--but, ifags! I begin to think I was out.--Parson Dobbins was the sprightfuller man of the two. _Dor._ Surely this cannot be Miss Hardy! _Let._ Laws! why, don't you know me! You saw me to-day--but I was daunted before my Father, and the Lawyer, and all them, and did not care to speak out:--so, may be, you thought I couldn't;--but I can talk as fast as any body, when I know folks a little:--and now I have shewn my parts, I hope you'll like me better. _Enter_ Hardy. _Har._ I foresee this won't do!--Mr. Doricourt, may be you take my Daughter for a Fool; but you are mistaken: she's a sensible Girl, as any in England. _Dor._ I am convinced she has a very uncommon understanding, Sir. [_Aside._] I did not think he had been such an Ass. _Let._ My Father will undo the whole.--Laws! Papa, how can you think he can take me for a fool! when every body knows I beat the Potecary at Conundrums last Christmas-time? and didn't I make a string of names, all in riddles, for the Lady's Diary?--There was a little River, and a great House; that was Newcastle.--There was what a Lamb says, and three Letters; that was _Ba_, and _k-e-r_, ker, Baker.--There was-- _Hardy._ Don't stand ba-a-ing there. You'll make me mad in a moment!--I tell you, Sir, that for all that, she's dev'lish sensible. _Doric._ Sir, I give all possible credit to your assertions. _Letit._ Laws! Papa, do come along. If you stand watching, how can my Sweetheart break his mind, and tell me how he admires me? _Doric._ That would be difficult, indeed, Madam. _Hardy._ I tell you, Letty, I'll have no more of this.----I see well enough----