MENTEITH. Though, to be sure, madam, Mr. George would always be charmed to find himself (_bowing_) among so many admired members of his own set. MISS FOSTER. Upon my word, Menteith, Mr. Austin is as fortunate in his servant as his reputation. MENTEITH. Quite so, madam. But let me observe that the opportunities I have had of acquiring a knowledge of Mr. George's character have been positively unrivalled. Nobody knows Mr. George like his old attendant. The goodness of that gentleman--but, madam, you will soon be equally fortunate, if, as I understand, it is to be a match. MISS FOSTER. I hope, Menteith, you are not taking leave of your senses. Is it possible you mean my niece? MENTEITH. Madam, I have the honour to congratulate you. I put a second curl in Mr. George's hair on purpose. SCENE II _To these, AUSTIN. MENTEITH falls back, and AUSTIN takes his place in front of MISS FOSTER, his attitude a counterpart of MENTEITH'S_ AUSTIN. Madam, I hasten to present my homage. MISS FOSTER. A truce to compliments; Menteith, your charming fellow there, has set me positively crazy. Dear George Austin, is it true? Can it be true? AUSTIN. Madam, if he has been praising your niece he has been well inspired. If he was speaking, as I spoke an hour ago myself, I wish, Miss Foster, that he had held his tongue. I have indeed offered myself to Miss Dorothy, and she, with the most excellent reason, has refused me. MISS FOSTER. Is it possible? why, my dear George Austin, ... then I suppose it is John Fenwick after all? AUSTIN. Not one of us is worthy. MISS FOSTER. This is the most amazing circumstance. You take my breath away. My niece refuse George Austin? why, I give you my word, I thought she had adored you. A perfect scandal: it positively must not get abroad. AUSTIN. Madam, for that young lady I have a singular regard. Judge me as tenderly as you can, and set it down, if you must, to an old man's vanity--for, Evelina, we are no longer in the heyday of our youth--judge me as you will: I should prefer to have it known. MISS FOSTER. Can you? George Austin, you? My youth was nothing; I was a failure; but for you? no, George, you never can, you never must be old. You are the triumph of my generation, George, and of our old friendship too. Think of my first dance and my first partner. And to have this story--no, I could not bear to have it told of you. AUSTIN. Madam, there are some ladies over whom it is a boast to have prevailed; there are others whom it is a glory to have loved. And I am so vain, dear Evelina, that even thus I am proud to link my name with that of Dorothy Musgrave. MISS FOSTER. George, you are changed. I would not know you. AUSTIN. I scarce know myself. But pardon me, dear friend (_taking out his watch_), in less than four minutes our illustrious guest will descend amongst us; and I observe Mr. Fenwick, with whom I have a pressing business. Suffer me, dear Evelina!---- SCENE III