Part 12 (2/2)

Miss Susan, 'tis infamous; they have eyes for no one but your niece.

CHARLOTTE. Miss Livvy has taken Ensign Blades from me.

HARRIET. If Miss Phoebe were here, I am sure she would not allow her old pupils to be so neglected.

(_The only possible reply for_ MISS SUSAN _is to make herself look as small as possible. A lieutenant comes to them, once a scorner of woman, but now_ SPICER _the bewitched_. HARRIET _has a moment's hope._)

How do you do, sir?

SPICER (_with dreadful indifference, though she is his dear cousin_).

Nay, ma'am, how do you do? (_Wistfully._) May I stand beside you, Miss Susan?

(_He is a most melancholic young man, and he fidgets her._)

MISS SUSAN (_with spirit_). You have been standing beside me, sir, nearly all the evening. SPICER (_humbly. It is strange to think that he had been favourably mentioned in despatches_). Indeed, I cannot but be cognisant of the sufferings I cause by attaching myself to you in this unseemly manner. Accept my a.s.surances, ma'am, that you have my deepest sympathy.

MISS SUSAN. Then why do you do it?

SPICER. Because you are her aunt, ma'am. It is a scheme of mine by which I am in hopes to soften her heart. Her affection for you, ma'am, is beautiful to observe, and if she could be persuaded that I seek her hand from a pa.s.sionate desire to have you for my Aunt Susan--do you perceive anything hopeful in my scheme, ma'am?

MISS SUSAN. No, sir, I do not.

(SPICER _wanders away gloomily, takes too much to drink, and ultimately becomes a general_. ENSIGN BLADES _appears, frowning, and_ CHARLOTTE _ventures to touch his sleeve._)

CHARLOTTE. Ensign Blades, I have not danced with you once this evening.

BLADES (_with the cold brutality of a lover to another she_). Nor I with you, Charlotte. (_To_ SUSAN.) May I solicit of you, Miss Susan, is Captain Brown Miss Livvy's guardian; is he affianced to her?

MISS SUSAN. No, sir.

BLADES. Then by what right, ma'am, does he interfere? Your elegant niece had consented to accompany me to the shrubbery--to look at the moon. And now Captain Brown forbids it. 'Tis unendurable.

CHARLOTTE. But you may see the moon from here, sir.

BLADES (_glancing at it contemptuously_). I believe not, ma'am. (_The moon still s.h.i.+nes on._)

MISS SUSAN (_primly_). I am happy Captain Brown forbade her.

BLADES. Miss Susan, 'twas but because he is to conduct her to the shrubbery himself.

(_He flings out pettishly, and_ MISS SUSAN _looks pityingly at the wall-flowers._)

MISS SUSAN. My poor Charlotte! May I take you to some very agreeable ladies?

CHARLOTTE (_tartly_). No, you may not. I am going to the shrubbery to watch Miss Livvy.

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