Volume I Part 97 (1/2)

_Mar._ I protest I could wish--

_Alon._ Ay, so could I, Sir, that you had made a better Judgment of my Humour: All must out, I have no other way to avoid this Compliment else.

Why look ye, _Marcel_-- Your Sister is-- Pox, I am ill at Dissimulation, and therefore in plain Terms, I am to be married this very Evening to another.

_Mar._ This was happy, and has sav'd me an Excuse.

[Aside.

But are you in earnest, How is it possible, being so lately come into _Madrid_?

_Alon._ Destiny, Destiny, _Marcel_, which there was no avoiding, tho I mist of _Hippolyta_.

_Mar._ Who is it, prithee?

_Alon._ A Woman I hope, of which indeed I would have been better a.s.sur'd; but she was wilful. She's call'd _Euphemia._

_Mar._ Our next Neighbour, the Daughter of old _Carlo_.

_Alon._ The same.

_Mar._ Thou art happy to make so good a Progress in so short a time, but I am--

_Alon._ Not so miserable as you believe. Come, come, you shall marry _Clarinda_.

_Mar._ 'Tis impossible.

_Alon._ Where's the hindrance?

_Mar._ Her want of Fortune; that's enough, Friend.

_Alon._ Stand by and expect the best-- [Goes to _Ambrosio_.

Sir, I have an humble Suit to you.

_Amb._ I shall be infinitely pleas'd you could ask me any thing in my Power; but, Sir, this Daughter I had dispos'd of, before I knew you would have mist of _Hippolyta_.

_Alon._ Luckier than I expected. [Aside.

Sir, that was an Honour I could not merit, and am contented with my Fate: But my Request is, that you would receive into your Family a Sister of mine, whom I would bestow on Don _Marcel_.

_Mar._ Hah, what mean you, Sir? a Sister of yours?

_Alon._ Yes, she will not be unwelcome-- This is she.

_Amb._ This is the Daughter to _Octavia_-- Her Mother was a Lady whom once I did adore, and 'twas her fault she was not more happy with me, than with Don _Manuel_. Nor have I so wholly forgot that Flame, but I might be inclin'd to your Proposal: But, Sir, she wants a Fortune.

_Alon._ That I'll supply.

_Mar._ You supply, Sir? On what kind Score, I pray?

_Alon._ That which you'll suffer without being jealous, When you shall know she is indeed my Sister.

_Clar._ How! this brave Man my Brother?