OLD LOVEYET. By my body, here is rare work going on.--[_Aside._]--Well, madam, as the gentleman is your _very particular friend_; and as his _love_--friendship, I mean, is so great, that you dare to entrust all your secrets with him; I shall acquaint you, that, as you and my son have long entertained a partiality for each other, and being desirous to fulfill all my engagements, as well as to make him happy, I have wrote for him to come and conclude the marriage; but, for very good reasons, I have this day determined to forbid the bans; and Mr. Trueman says, he is very willing too. LOVEYET. Hah!--what can all this mean? [_Aside._ OLD LOVEYET. You must know, madam, your father has us'd me very ill; and--to be plain with you, madam, your familiarity with this person, convinces me you wou'd have play'd the fool with my son, without my breaking the match. Ugh, ugh. LOVEYET. The old gentleman imagines I am going to cut myself out, it seems. [_Aside to HARRIET._ HARRIET. You do not know who this is, sir, or you would not put any improper constructions on the friendly freedom you have observ'd between us. LOVEYET. True; and, therefore, you need not be concerned at what he says.--Since he has made this unlucky resolution, he must not know who I am. [_Aside to HARRIET._ OLD LOVEYET. How well she dissembles!--_Friendly freedom,_--a pretty term that, for the wanton hussy. [_Aside._]--I wish Charles was here now; he wou'd acknowledge his father's kindness in preventing a match, which, I am sure, would end in sorrow and disappointment. LOVEYET. I doubt that much.--This parent of mine is a singular character. [_Aside to HARRIET._ HARRIET. It is necessary you should be made acquainted with some of his oddities: his most striking peculiarity is a desire to be thought younger than he is; and, I dare say, some remark of my father, respecting his age, is the only cause of his present ill humour. OLD LOVEYET. Look how they whisper!--well, she is the most brazen coquette I ever knew!--Yes, yes, now her scandalous conduct is glaring enough. [_Aside._]--I wish you and your _very particular friend_, a good day, madam. [_Exit._ HARRIET. I think our troubles increase fast: how unlucky, that this dispute should happen at the very crisis of your arrival;--an event which we fondly expected would be attended with the most pleasing circumstances. LOVEYET. Those fond expectations, my lovely partner in trouble, shall soon be realized;--this is only the momentary caprice of old age. HARRIET. You must take care not to talk of _age_, before him.