This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
184
THE COUNTRY INN.


LADY GOODBODY.

There are more people here than her who ought to plead the same excuse. Miss Martin, you have behaved very strangely, and can only be pardoned on account of your youth.

MISS MARTIN.

I have done so many foolish things for six-and-twenty years past, that you are really very good, my dear madam, to pardon me on that score.

LADY GOODBODY.

What do you mean? what do you mean, child, by calling yourself older than you are?

MISS MARTIN.

I have been of age these five years, and most people, I believe, will call that six-and-twenty.

SIR JOHN HAZELWOOD.

Your servant, ladies, we shall meet again at the tea-table. (Exit.

LADY GOODBODY.

Very well, very well, Miss Martin! since you will be six-and-twenty, tho' you know well enough you want two months and a half of it, with all my heart. But allow me to tell you, a maiden of that age should look pretty sharply about her if she would not still remain a lonely maiden all her life.