“And you are ungenerous enough, sir, to seek to deprive the world of that one,” cried Mrs. Thrale.
She had failed to perceive the tendency of his remark.
“What, Mrs. Thrale! is’t possible that you are weak enough to look for generosity in a lover?” said Garrick. “Good lud, madam! the very soul of true love is the most ungenerous essence on earth.”
“Ah, you see, madam, Mr. Garrick’s love is of the earth earthy; but we were talking of quite another kind of love, were we not?” said Mr. Long readily, but not in a tone of badinage.
“We are very well content to be terrestrial,” said Mrs. Crewe, lifting her chin an inch or so in the air.
“I am more ambitious; that is why I am by the side of Miss Linley,” said Mr. Long.
“Very prettily spoke, sir,” said Garrick. “Miss Linley I have always held to be celestial. Is not that so, Betsy?”
“Indeed, sir, you were good enough to offer me an engagement to sing at Drury Lane,” replied Betsy, with a smile.
Every one laughed, and Garrick gave a wonderful representation of a man who is completely discomfited by an antagonist.