_Mrs. D._ I wish, Augusta, your future husband may have the heart of your father. He is, indeed, sometimes passionate; and in every family, differences will arise; but they have always ended in rendering us more attached to each other. Enter PHILIP BROOK. _Philip._ Madam-- _Mrs. D._ Mr. Brook--we----pardon me--why should I deny it?--we were engaged in a conversation--which---- _Philip._ Which I interrupted? I will, therefore, with your permission, take my leave. _Mrs. D._ Stay, Sir!--We are, indeed, unable to continue--my heart is too full---- _Philip._ Have you had any disappointment, any sorrows I dare not partake? _Mrs. D._ Neither, Sir. _Philip._ But you have wept. I will stay: every mourner has a claim upon me; and when I see your tears, Augusta---- _Augusta._ Mr. Brook, the tears you see are tears of joy, shed by a happy daughter, for the tenderness of a father. _Philip._ Tears of joy? It is long, my dear Madam, since I have been witness to such. Peace be on him for whom they flow! He will never want an epitaph. _Mrs. D._ Do not mention that: you keep us in our melancholy train of thinking. _Philip._ Melancholy? I am always cheerful in your company. But Miss Augusta then had a cloud over her eyes. _Augusta._ Do _you_ reproach me _that_? _Philip._ I do, and justly. All who are acquainted with you, love and esteem you. You are young and amiable; why then mourn? _Mrs. D._ Pardon me, Sir, if I repeat my daughter's words; you should be the last to utter such a reproach. _Philip._ Why so? _Mrs. D._ Can you ask? _Philip._ Yes, Madam; for I cannot believe that you have the same opinion of my character, that is generally entertained. _Mrs. D._ Mr. Brook! _Philip._ You make no answer. Your opinion is either too favourable, or the contrary. _Mrs. D._ Be assured, we esteem you as a man. _Philip._ I wished not for a polite turn, but for the true judgment of your heart. _Mrs. D._ [at a loss]. If, perhaps, our ideas may be in some respects different---- _Philip._ Well? _Mrs. D._ But, my dear Sir! we have just been conversing on a subject so opposite to this! and this moment---- _Philip._ I beg you to bestow upon me. I am unable to give an account of myself, at every moment, and to every body; but now, and to you, I feel myself bound to do it. _Mrs. D._ But, am I prepared for a cold enquiry? _Philip._ It is not a cold enquiry I ask [with warmth]. Let your generous friendly mind, [to Augusta] let your pure soul, Augusta, be the judge. _Augusta._ Dear Sir! _Philip._ Well--Fashion, ceremony, all that we will lay aside. Have some parts of my behaviour here been such as you cannot approve?--it was by chance only. Nay, there was no one whom I could please, by behaving otherwise. _Mrs. D._ We will pass that; though such behaviour takes from the pleasures of society. _Philip_ [with warmth]. I have high ideas of the pleasures of society. _Mrs. D._ And yet you do not contribute your share?