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434
THE SECOND MARRIAGE:


Sir C. Your servant. Sir Anthony; I'm happy in being able to pay you my respects.—Miss Seabright I hope is well, (bowing to Soph, who returns his civility with chearfulness.) Indeed, Sir Anthony, I have long'd ever since I heard your speech in the House, which, for a maiden speech—Well, I will not say what it was.—I have long'd to declare to you the extreme pleasure I take in the fair career that is now open'd before you, and in being permitted to consider myself as one of your friends.

Sea. You do me great honour: I am infinitely obliged to you. My speech indeed ought—it ought to have——(hesitating.)

Sir C. To have been just what it was, my dear Baronet. Your friends enjoy'd it; and, let me say it freely, without envy.

Sea. I am much flatter'd; their praises are—are—(hesitating.)

Sir C. Are proportion'd to their admiration, Sir Anthony; and they have great pleasure in talking of it.

Sea. (eagerly.) Ha! do they talk much of it?

Sir C. Yes; more than I would venture to repeat to you.

Sea. Friends, indeed, say many things that ought not to be believed.

Sir C. I assure you, your's say many things which one of the qualities you so eminently possess would not, perhaps, suffer you to believe. Eloquence—eloquence, my dear Sir—great things are to be attain'd in this country by eloquence. Elo-