though my lips may solemnly promise to honour, I find my heart must ever despise. [_Exit._ _End of the First Act._ ACT II. SCENE I. _Enter CHARLOTTE and LETITIA._ CHARLOTTE [_at entering_]. Betty, take those things out of the carriage and carry them to my chamber; see that you don't tumble them. My dear, I protest, I think it was the homeliest of the whole. I declare I was almost tempted to return and change it. LETITIA. Why would you take it? CHARLOTTE. [Didn't Mrs. Catgut say it was the most fashionable? LETITIA. But, my dear, it will never fit becomingly on you. CHARLOTTE. I know that; but did not you hear Mrs. Catgut say it was fashionable? LETITIA. Did you see that sweet airy cap with the white sprig? CHARLOTTE. Yes, and I longed to take it; but,] my dear, what could I do? Did not Mrs. Catgut say it was the most fashionable; and if I had not taken it, was not that awkward, gawky Sally Slender ready to purchase it immediately? LETITIA. [Did you observe how she tumbled over the things at the next shop, and then went off without purchasing any thing, nor even thanking the poor man for his trouble? But, of all the awkward creatures, did you see Miss Blouze endeavouring to thrust her unmerciful arm into those small kid gloves? CHARLOTTE. Ha, ha, ha, ha!] LETITIA. Then did you take notice with what an affected warmth of friendship she and Miss Wasp met? when all their acquaintance know how much pleasure they take in abusing each other in every company. CHARLOTTE. Lud! Letitia, is that so extraordinary? Why, my dear, I hope you are not going to turn sentimentalist. Scandal, you know, is but amusing ourselves with the faults, foibles, follies, and reputations of our friends; indeed, I don't know why we should have friends, if we are not at liberty to make use of them. But no person is so ignorant of the world as to suppose, because I amuse myself with a lady's faults, that I am obliged to quarrel with her person every time we meet: believe me, my dear, we should have very few acquaintances at that rate. _SERVANT enters and delivers a letter to CHARLOTTE, and--[Exit._ CHARLOTTE. You'll excuse me, my dear. [_Opens and reads to herself._ LETITIA. Oh, quite excusable. CHARLOTTE. As I hope to be married, my brother Henry is in the city. LETITIA. What, your brother, Colonel Manly? CHARLOTTE. Yes, my dear; the only brother I have in the world. LETITIA. Was he never in this city? CHARLOTTE. Never nearer than Harlem Heights, where he lay with his regiment. LETITIA. What sort of a being is this brother of yours? If he is as chatty, as pretty, as sprightly as you, half the belles in the city will be pulling caps for him.