Mary. Pray, sir, don't talk of that!
Pereg. Why did you fly from him?
Mary. Sir, I——I——but that's my story, sir.
Pereg. Relate it, then.
Mary. Yes, sir.—You must know, then, sir, that—there was a young gentleman in this neighbourhood, that—O dear, sir, I'm quite ashamed!
Pereg. Come, child, I will relieve you from the embarrassment of narration, and sum up your history in one word;—love.
Mary. That's the beginning of it, sir; but a great deal happen'd afterwards.
Pereg. And who is the hero of your story, my poor girl?
Mary. The hero of——? O, I understand—he is much above me in fortune, sir. To be sure, I should have thought of that, before he got such power over my heart, to make me so wretched, now he has deserted me.
Pereg. He would have thought of that, had his own heart been generous.