This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
192
THE COUNTRY INN.

find no opportunity of speaking to you. She knows well enough it is impossible to behold such beauty and attraction without———pardon me: you know very well what I would say to you if I durst.

HANNAH.

La, now! how should I know. Do you mean that I am beautiful, and what d'ye call it?

WORSHIPTON.

Indeed I do: your beauty must be admired, tho' your prudent aunt does all she can to conceal it.

HANNAH.

La, now! you say so because my hair has been allowed to grow so long, and aunt and every body says that my ears are the prettiest thing about me. But it an't aunt's fault: I shall have it cut when we go to town. (Putting her hair behind her ears awkwardly with her fingers, and beginning to look rather brisk).

WORSHIPTON (Looking at them with affected admiration).

O, beautiful indeed!

JENKINS (peeping from his hiding-place).

Ay, I thought the beauty lay hid under some snug covert or other: it was devilishly well conceal'd by my faith!