No More Learning

[_Enter_ KATE _as from a walk_. HASTINGS _introduces them_.

KATE (_after a pause_): I am glad of your safe arrival, sir. I am
told you had some accidents by the way.

MARLOW: A few, madam. Yes, we had some. Yes, a good many. But should
be sorry, madam--I mean glad--of any accidents that are so agreeably
concluded. George, sure you won't go?

HASTINGS: You don't consider, man, that we are to manage a little
_tete-a-tete_ of our own.

[_Exeunt_ HASTINGS _and_ MISS NEVILLE.

MARLOW: I am afraid, madam, I--hem--grow tiresome.

KATE: Not at all, sir; there is nothing I like so much as grave
consideration. You were going to observe----

MARLOW: I was about to observe, madam--I was--I protest, I forgot----

KATE: Something about hypocrisy--this age of hypocrisy.

MARLOW: Ah, yes.
In this age of hypocrisy there are few who--a--a----
But I see Miss Neville expects us; shall I----

KATE: I'll follow you. If I could teach him a little confidence!
[_Exeunt_.

Mrs. Hardcastle, Miss Neville, Hastings and Tony enter. In pursuance
of their plot, Constance engages Tony in a determined flirtation, to
his extreme disgust, while Hastings wins the heart of Mrs. Hardcastle
by extravagant flatteries. On the pretext of bringing the "dear,
sweet, pretty, provoking, undutiful boy" to a better mind, Hastings
gets rid of the ladies, and then offers to take Miss Neville off
Tony's hands. Tony joyfully engages to help the elopement, and procure
Miss Neville's jewels.


ACT III

SCENE. --_As before. Enter_ TONY _with a casket_.

TONY: Ecod, I've got 'em. Cousin Con's necklaces, bobs and all. My
mother shan't cheat the poor souls out of their fortin. Here's (_enter_
HASTINGS) your sweetheart's jewels.