HARRIET. No, no, there was no Harriet mentioned. MARIA. But I say there was--so, as I was going to tell you, you must know, my dear Harriet, that Mr. Frankton sat opposite to me at the theatre; and as he seem'd to be very much chagrin'd at the attention which was paid me by a couple of beaux, I took some pains to mortify him a little; for, tho' he strove to hide his uneasiness by chattering, and whispering, and tittering, and shewing his white teeth, his embarrassment was very visible under his affected unconcern. HARRIET. How exactly she has described her own situation and feelings! [_Aside._]--I find that you acquire _your skill in physiognomy_ from sympathy; or from making suitable comparisons, and drawing natural inferences from them; but now for the remainder of your pleasant anecdote, Maria. MARIA. So, I was extremely civil to my two worshipping votaries, grinn'd when they did, and talk'd as much nonsense as either of them. During this scene of mock-gallantry, one of my love-sick swains elevated his eyes in a most languishing manner; and, clasping his sweet, unlucky hands together rather eagerly, my little dog Muff happen'd to be in the way, by which means my pet was squeez'd rather more than it lik'd, and my Adonis's finger bit by it so feelingly, that it would have delighted you to see how he twisted his soft features about, with the excruciating anguish. Ha, ha, ha. HARRIET. Ha, ha, ha. Exceeding ludicrous indeed!--But pray, my dear careless, sprightly Maria, was you not a little nettled to see Mr. Frankton and his nymphs so great? And are you not deeply in love with each other, notwithstanding your coquetry at the theatre, and his levity at the Assembly?--Yes, yes,--your aversion to the dancing last night was only pretence. I hope when your hearts are cemented by wedlock, you will both do better. MARIA. It will be well if I do no worse; but, to hear you talk, one would swear you were not in love yourself. HARRIET. Love is an amiable weakness, of which our sex are peculiarly susceptible. MARIA. Ha, ha, ha; _of which our sex are peculiarly susceptible_--what an evasion!--and so my dear lovelorn, pensive, sentimental, romantic Harriet has never experienced that same _amiable weakness_ which, it seems, the weaker sex is so susceptible of. But I won't tease you about Mr. Loveyet any more; adieu. [_Going._ HARRIET. Ha, ha; why in such sudden haste, my dear? MARIA. I have already made my visit longer than I intended, and I have plagu'd you enough now; adieu. HARRIET. Ha, ha, ha; that is laughable enough. [_Exeunt, separately._ _End of the First Act._ ACT II. SCENE I. _FRANKTON'S Lodgings._ _FRANKTON and YOUNG LOVEYET sitting._ LOVEYET. When did you say you saw her?