MARIA. Yes; one of the strangest accidents in the world. The odious Dimple, after disgusting me with his conversation, had just left me, when a gentleman, who, it seems, boards in the same house with him, saw him coming out of our door, and, the houses looking very much alike, he came into our house instead of his lodgings; nor did he discover his mistake until he got into the parlour, where I was: he then bowed so gracefully, made such a genteel apology, and looked so manly and noble!-- CHARLOTTE. I see some folks, though it is so great an impropriety, can praise a gentleman, when he happens to be the man of their fancy. [_Aside._] MARIA. I don't know how it was,--I hope he did not think me indelicate,--but I asked him, I believe, to sit down, or pointed to a chair. He sat down, and, instead of having recourse to observations upon the weather, or hackneyed criticisms upon the theatre, he entered readily into a conversation worthy a man of sense to speak, and a lady of delicacy and sentiment to hear. He was not strictly handsome, but he spoke the language of sentiment, and his eyes looked tenderness and honour. CHARLOTTE. Oh! [_Eagerly._] you sentimental, grave girls, when your hearts are once touched, beat us rattles a bar's length. And so you are quite in love with this he-angel? MARIA. In love with him! How can you rattle so, Charlotte? Am I not going to be miserable? [_Sighs._] In love with a gentleman I never saw but one hour in my life, and don't know his name! No; I only wished that the man I shall marry may look, and talk, and act, just like him. Besides, my dear, he is a married man. CHARLOTTE. Why, that was good-natured.--He told you so, I suppose, in mere charity, to prevent you falling in love with him? MARIA. He didn't tell me so; [_Peevishly._] he looked as if he was married. CHARLOTTE. How, my dear; did he look sheepish? MARIA. I am sure he has a susceptible heart, and the ladies of his acquaintance must be very stupid not to-- CHARLOTTE. Hush! I hear some person coming. [_Enter LETITIA._ LETITIA. My dear Maria, I am happy to see you. Lud! what a pity it is that you have purchased your wedding clothes. MARIA. I think so. [_Sighing._] LETITIA. Why, my dear, there is the sweetest parcel of silks come over you ever saw! Nancy Brilliant has a full suit come; she sent over her measure, and it fits her to a hair; it is immensely dressy, and made for a court-hoop. I thought they said the large hoops were going out of fashion. CHARLOTTE. Did you see the hat? Is it a fact that the deep laces round the border is still the fashion?] DIMPLE [_within_]. Upon my honour, sir. MARIA. Ha! Dimple's voice! My dear, I must take leave of you. There are some things necessary to be done at our house. Can't I go through the other room? _Enter DIMPLE and MANLY._ DIMPLE. Ladies, your most obedient. CHARLOTTE. Miss Van Rough, shall I present my brother Henry to you? Colonel Manly, Maria--Miss Van Rough, brother.