CHARLOTTE. I don't know how I should bear neglect; but Mr. Dimple must misbehave himself indeed, to forfeit my good opinion. DIMPLE. Your good opinion, my angel, is the pride and pleasure of my heart; and if the most respectful tenderness for you, and an utter indifference for all your sex besides, can make me worthy of your esteem, I shall richly merit it. CHARLOTTE. All my sex besides, Mr. Dimple!--you forgot your _tête-à-tête_ with Letitia. DIMPLE. How can you, my lovely angel, cast a thought on that insipid, wry-mouthed, ugly creature! CHARLOTTE. But her fortune may have charms? DIMPLE. Not to a heart like mine. The man, who has been blessed with the good opinion of my Charlotte, must despise the allurements of fortune. CHARLOTTE. I am satisfied. DIMPLE. Let us think no more on the odious subject, but devote the present hour to happiness. CHARLOTTE. Can I be happy when I see the man I prefer going to be married to another? DIMPLE. Have I not already satisfied my charming angel that I can never think of marrying the puling Maria? But, even if it were so, could that be any bar to our happiness? for, as the poet sings, _Love, free as air, at sight of human ties, Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies._ Come, then, my charming angel! why delay our bliss? The present moment is ours; the next is in the hand of fate. [_Kissing her._ CHARLOTTE. Begone, sir! By your delusions you had almost lulled my honour asleep. DIMPLE. Let me lull the demon to sleep again with kisses. [_He struggles with her; she screams._] _Enter MANLY._ MANLY. Turn, villain! and defend yourself. [_Draws._] _VAN ROUGH enters and beats down their swords._ VAN ROUGH. Is the devil in you? are you going to murder one another? [_Holding DIMPLE._ DIMPLE. Hold him, hold him,--I can command my passion. _Enter JONATHAN._ JONATHAN. What the rattle ails you? Is the old one in you? let the Colonel alone, can't you? I feel chock full of fight,--do you want to kill the Colonel?-- MANLY. Be still, Jonathan; the gentleman does not want to hurt me. JONATHAN. Gor! I--I wish he did; I'd shew him yankee boys play, pretty quick.--Don't you see you have frightened the young woman into the _hystrikes_? VAN ROUGH. Pray, some of you explain this; what has been the occasion of all this racket? MANLY. That gentleman can explain it to you; it will be a very diverting story for an intended father-in-law to hear. VAN ROUGH. How was this matter, Mr. Van Dumpling? DIMPLE. Sir,--upon my honour,--all I know is, that I was talking to this young lady, and this gentleman broke in on us in a very extraordinary manner. VAN ROUGH. Why, all this is nothing to the purpose; can you explain it, Miss? [_To CHARLOTTE._] _Enter LETITIA_ [_through the back scene_].