civil thing to me! nor behave at all like aLover." She then sate down & M^r Watts entered.

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

"Fine WeatherLadies." 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 M^r 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