Col.  Done!  Sir?  Why, Sir, [in a haughty tone he spoke,] I need not tell you that reparation follows repentance.  And I hope you make no scruple of justifying your sincerity as to the one or the other.

I hesitated, (for I relished not the manner of his speech, and his haughty accent,) as undetermined whether to take proper notice of it or not.

Col.  Let me put this question to you, Mr. Lovelace:  Is it true, as I have heard it is, that you would marry my cousin, if she would have you?  —­What say you, Sir?—­

This wound me up a peg higher.

Lovel.  Some questions, as they may be put, imply commands, Colonel.  I would be glad to know how I am to take your’s?  And what is to be the end of your interrogatories?

Col.  My questions are not meant by me as commands, Mr. Lovelace.  The end is, to prevail upon a gentleman to act like a gentleman, and a man of honour.

Lovel. (briskly) And by what arguments, Sir, do you propose to prevail upon me?

Col.  By what arguments, Sir, prevail upon a gentleman to act like a gentleman!—­I am surprised at that question from Mr. Lovelace.

Lovel.  Why so, Sir?

Col.  Why so, Sir! (angrily)—­Let me—­

Lovel. (interrupting) I don’t choose, Colonel, to be repeated upon, in that accent.

Lord M. Come, come, gentlemen, I beg of you to be willing to understand one another.  You young gentlemen are so warm—­

Col.  Not I, my Lord—­I am neither very young, nor unduly warm.  Your nephew, my Lord, can make me be every thing he would have me to be.

Lovel.  And that shall be, whatever you please to be, Colonel.

Col. (fiercely) The choice be your’s, Mr. Lovelace.  Friend or foe! as you do or are willing to do justice to one of the finest women in the world.

Lord M. I guessed, from both your characters, what would be the case when you met.  Let me interpose, gentlemen, and beg you but to understand one another.  You both shoot at one mark; and, if you are patient, will both hit it.  Let me beg of you, Colonel, to give no challenges—­

Col.  Challenges, my Lord!—­They are things I ever was readier to accept than to offer.  But does your Lordship think that a man, so nearly related as I have the honour to be to the most accomplished woman on earth,—­

Lord M. (interrupting) We all allow the excellencies of the lady—­and we shall all take it as the greatest honour to be allied to her that can be conferred upon us.

Col.  So you ought, my Lord!—­

A perfect Chamont; thought I.*

* See Otway’s Orphan.

Lord M. So we ought, Colonel! and so we do!—­and pray let every one do as he ought!—­and no more than he ought; and you, Colonel, let me tell you, will not be so hasty.

Lovel. (coolly) Come, come, Col.  Morden, don’t let this dispute, whatever you intend to make of it, go farther than with you and me.  You deliver yourself in very high terms.  Higher than ever I was talked to in my life.  But here, beneath this roof, ’twould be inexcusable for me to take that notice of it which, perhaps, it would become me to take elsewhere.