This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
152
THE ALIENATED MANOR: A COMEDY.


Charville enters by a door behind the Ladies, but stops short on hearing their conversation.

MARY.

What a long sober face you put on! What are you thinking of now?

MRS. CHARVILLE.

Matrimony is a duller thing than I took it to be.

MARY.

Indeed!

MRS. CHARVILLE.

I was too foolish: I might have had my amusement for another good winter at least, and have married him after all, if I liked it.

MARY.

So you married to amuse yourself?

MRS. CHARVILLE.

My dear girl, what could I do? I was with my stiff grave cousins in the country: I was disappointed of a trip to the Continent; the Bath season was still distant, and there was neither county ball, horse-race, nor strolling players in all the country round: so when Charville presented himself again, and renewed his addresses, I was ready to have flown with him to the moon. And now, my dear little sister, if there be any grace in thee, let us have some amusement.