frown upon us it is a smile of invitation; when they avoid us it is a signal to stand upon the watch for a tete-a-tete; (approaching her with an arch smile as she draws herself up with an affected indifference.) but when they toss back their heads at our approach, in all the studied carelessless of contempt, we may consider ourselves as at the very pinnacle of favour. Is it allowable, madam, to take this rule for my guide?
MISS MARTIN.
By all means, Sir John; self-love will naturally teach you to judge by that rule which proves most for your own advantage. I hope, however, you will allow those unlucky men upon whom we bestow our smiles, to find out another for themselves.
LADY GOODBODY (to Miss Martin displeased).
You have got a sharp disagreeable way of talking of late, which is not at all becoming, child: you used to smile and look good-humoured to every body.
MISS MARTIN.
And so I may again, madam, when I am with the poor silly folks who don't know how humiliating it is for them to be so treated: I hope I shall always be civil enough to spare Sir John Hazelwood that mortification. (Making him an affected and ironical curtesy.)
