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civil thing to me! nor behave at all like a Lover." She then sate down & Mr Watts entered.

"Ladies your most obedient." We paid our Compliments & he seated himself.

"Fine Weather Ladies." Then turning to Mary, "Well Miſs Stanhope I hope you have at lastsettled the Matter in your own mind; & willbe so good as to let me know whether youwill condescend to marry me or not."

"I think Sir (said Mary) You might haveasked in a genteeler way than that. I do not know whether I shall have you if you behaveso odd."

"Mary!" (said my Mother) "Well Mamaif he will be so angry &1 so croſs. . . . .

"Hush, hush, Mary, you shall not be rudeto Mr Watts."

"Pray Madam do not lay any restraint onMiſs Stanhope by obliging her to be civil. Ifshe does not choose to accept my hand, I canoffer it else where, for as I am by no meansguided by a particular preference to you

Footnotes

1.
Heavily deleted phrase, possibly 'so angry &' or 'so ugly &'. Back to context...
Image for page: 160 of manuscript: blvolfirst