LOVEYET. So he confidently call'd himself, and took such other insufferably vain and impudent freedoms with your name, that I attempted to give him a little wholesome admonition with this, if his effeminate cries had not brought my lovely Harriet in to prevent me; but the very attempt has proved him to be the basest of dastards. [_While he is saying this, WORTHNOUGHT makes several attempts to interrupt him._] HARRIET. [_To WORTHNOUGHT._] I am equally surpriz'd and incens'd, sir, that you would dare to take such freedoms with my name. LOVEYET. Be assured, Miss Harriet, if you condescend to grant your valuable company to such superficial gentry, they will ever prove themselves as unworthy of it as he has; but your goodness does not let you suspect the use which such characters make of the intimacy they are honour'd with, or you would spurn their unmeaning flattery, and ridiculous fopperies, with indignation. HARRIET. I ever till now consider'd him as a respectful, well-meaning person, as far as regarded myself; and as such, gave him a prudent share of my civilities; but I never thought either his intellects or his person sufficient to entitle him to a partial intimacy. WORTHNOUGHT. You cannot deny, madam, that I have repeatedly experienced the most flattering proofs of your partiality, that a lady (who values her reputation) can ever bestow on her admirer. HARRIET. Contemptible thing! An admirer, forsooth! Of what?--Your ideas are too mean and frothy to let you admire anything but my dress, or some other trifle as empty and superficial as the trifler I am speaking to. My demeanour towards you was nothing but the effect of cheerfulness and politeness; qualities which, I believe, are inherent in me, and of which, therefore, all with whom I am acquainted are the objects; but your present unmanly and insupportably impudent discourse, makes me despise myself almost as much as you, for allowing such a wretch even that small degree of attention which he so illy deserved. WORTHNOUGHT. You are very insulting, madam, 'pan hanor.-- LOVEYET. How apt such fellows are to have _honour_ in their mouths. [_Aside._ WORTHNOUGHT. This is only a trick to conceal your inconstancy during his absence; but it is the nature of the sex to deceive us. HARRIET. 'Tis the nature of a fool to say so; and if that fool does not instantly quit the subject and the house together, I must request the favour of Mr. Loveyet to make him. LOVEYET. "As matters are circumstanced, Mr. Worthnought, I think it is not worth your while to stay." WORTHNOUGHT. Her unparallel'd rudeness shall not compel me to leave the house, till I please. LOVEYET. "Oh, fie, sir,--you would not force a lady to give you her company against her inclination." WORTHNOUGHT. You are very fond of echoing my words, it seems.