The Man of the World (1792)

Nan. I shall, Mrs. Betty. [_Exit._

Bet. Soh! I find they all believe the impertinent creature is breeding--that's pure! it will soon reach my lady's ears, I warrant.

Enter JOHN.

Well, John, ever a letter for me?

John. No, Mrs. Betty, but here is one for Miss Constantia.

Bet. Give it me.--Hum!--my lady's hand.

John. And here is one which the postman says is for my young master--but it's a strange direction. [_reads._] '_To_ Charles Egerton, Esq.'

Bet. O! yes, yes,--that is for Master Charles, John:--for he has dropped his father's name of Macsycophant, and has taken up that of Egerton--the parliament has ordered it.

John. The parliament!--pr'ythee, why so, Mrs. Betty?

Bet. Why you must know, John, that my lady, his mother, was an Egerton by her father:--she stole a match with our old master, for which all her family on both sides have hated Sir Pertinax and the whole crew of the Macsycophants ever since.

John. Except Master Charles, Mrs. Betty.

Bet. O! they dote upon him, though he is a Macsycophant--he is the pride of all my lady's family:--and so, John,--my lady's uncle, Sir Stanley Egerton dying an old bachelor, and, as I said before, mortally hating our old master, and all the crew of the Macsycophants, left his whole estate to Master Charles, who was his godson,--but on condition that he should drop his father's name of Macsycophant, and take up that of Egerton--and that is the reason, John, why the parliament has made him change his name.

John. I am glad that Master Charles has got the estate, however--for he is a sweet tempered gentleman.

Bet. As ever lived:--but come, John, as I know you love Miss Constantia, and are fond of being where she is--I will make you happy;--you shall carry her letter to her.

John. Shall I, Mrs. Betty?--I am very much obliged to you.--Where is she?

Bet. In the housekeeper's room settling the dessert.--Give me Mr. Egerton's letter, and I'll leave it on the table in his dressing room. I see it's from his brother Sandy.--So,--now go and deliver your letter to your sweetheart, John.

John. That I will;--and I am much beholden to you for the favour of letting me carry it to her:--for though she should never have me, yet I shall always love her, and wish to be near her, she is so sweet a creature.--Your servant, Mrs. Betty. [_Exit._

Bet. Your servant, John. Ha, ha, ha! poor fellow! he perfectly dotes on her--and daily follows her about with nosegays and fruit and the first of every thing in the season.--Ay, and my young Master Charles too is in as bad a way as the gardener:--in short--every body loves her,--and that's one reason why I hate her.--For my part, I wonder what the deuce the men see in her--a creature that was taken in for charity.--I am sure she's not so handsome.--I wish she was out of the family once:--if she was, I might then stand a chance of being my lady's favourite myself;--ay, and perhaps of getting one of my young masters for a sweetheart,--or at least the chaplain: but as to him, there would be no such great catch if I should get him. I will try for him however,--and my first step shall be to tell the doctor all I have discovered about Constantia's intrigues with her spark at Hadley.--Yes,--that will do,--for the doctor loves to talk with me,--loves to hear me talk too,--and I verily believe--he, he, he!--that he has a sneaking kindness for me,--and this story will make him have a good opinion of my honesty,--and that, I am sure, will be one step towards----O! bless me,--here he comes,--and my young master with him.-- I'll watch an opportunity to speak to him as soon as he is alone,--for I will blow her up I am resolved,--as great a favourite and as cunning as she is. [_Exit._

Enter EGERTON in great warmth and emotion; SIDNEY following, as in conversation.

Sid. Nay, dear Charles, but why are you so impetuous?--why do you break from me so abruptly?

Eger. [With great warmth.] I have done, sir,--you have refused.--I have nothing more to say upon the subject.--I am satisfied.

Sid. [With a glow of tender friendship.] Come, come--correct this warmth,--it is the only weak ingredient in your nature, and you ought to watch it carefully. If I am wrong,--I will submit without reserve;--but consider the nature of your request--and how it would affect me:--from your earliest youth, your father has honoured me with the care of your education, and the general conduct of your mind; and, however singular and morose his temper may be to others,--to me--he has ever been respectful and liberal.--I am now under his roof too,--and because I will not abet an unwarrantable passion by an abuse of my sacred character, in marrying you beneath your rank,--and in direct opposition to your father's hopes and happiness,--you blame me--you angrily break from me--and call me unkind.

Eger. [With tenderness and conviction.] Dear Sidney,--for my warmth I stand condemned: but for my marriage with Constantia, I think I can justify it upon every principle of filial duty,--honour,--and worldly prudence.

Sid. Only make that appear, Charles, and you know you may command me.