Now, did not my lord expressly say that it was unbecoming a well-bred man to be in a passion, I confess I should be ruffled. [_Reads._] "There is no accident so unfortunate, which a wise man may not turn to his advantage; nor any accident so fortunate, which a fool will not turn to his disadvantage." True, my lord; but how advantage can be derived from this I can't see. Chesterfield himself, who made, however, the worst practice of the most excellent precepts, was never in so embarrassing a situation. I love the person of Charlotte, and it is necessary I should command the fortune of Letitia. As to Maria!--I doubt not by my _sang-froid_ behaviour I shall compel her to decline the match; but the blame must not fall upon me. A prudent man, as my lord says, should take all the credit of a good action to himself, and throw the discredit of a bad one upon others. I must break with Maria, marry Letitia, and as for Charlotte--why, Charlotte must be a companion to my wife.--Here, Jessamy! _Enter JESSAMY._ _DIMPLE folds and seals two letters._ DIMPLE. Here, Jessamy, take this letter to my love. [_Gives one._ JESSAMY. To which of your honour's loves?--Oh! [_Reading._] to Miss Letitia, your honour's rich love. DIMPLE. And this [_Delivers another._] to Miss Charlotte Manly. See that you deliver them privately. JESSAMY. Yes, your honour. [_Going._ DIMPLE. Jessamy, who are these strange lodgers that came to the house last night? JESSAMY. Why, the master is a Yankee colonel; I have not seen much of him; but the man is the most unpolished animal your honour ever disgraced your eyes by looking upon. I have had one of the most _outré_ conversations with him!--He really has a most prodigious effect upon my risibility. DIMPLE. I ought, according to every rule of Chesterfield, to wait on him and insinuate myself into his good graces.--Jessamy, wait on the Colonel with my compliments, and if he is disengaged I will do myself the honour of paying him my respects.--Some ignorant, unpolished boor-- _JESSAMY goes off and returns._ JESSAMY. Sir, the Colonel is gone out, and Jonathan his servant says that he is gone to stretch his legs upon the Mall.--Stretch his legs! what an indelicacy of diction! DIMPLE. Very well. Reach me my hat and sword. I'll accost him there, in my way to Letitia's, as by accident; pretend to be struck with his person and address, and endeavour to steal into his confidence. Jessamy, I have no business for you at present. [_Exit._ JESSAMY [_taking up the book_].