Ned. To ask pardon for my misbehaviour, and to beg you to take me again.
Arb. What—have you so soon parted with your new master?
Ned. Mr. Goodwin never was my master, sir. He only kept me in his house till I could make it up with you again; for he said he was sure you were too honourable a gentleman to turn off an old servant without good reason, and he hoped you would admit my excuses after your anger was over.
Arb. Did he say all that?
Ned. Yes, sir; and he advised me not to delay any longer to ask your pardon.
Arb. Well—go to my house, and I will talk with you on my return.
Bel. Now, my friend, what think you of this?
Arb. I think more than I can well express. It will be a lesson to me never to make hasty judgments again.
Bel. Why, indeed, to have concluded that such a man had nothing of the gentleman about him must have been rather hasty.
Arb. I acknowledge it. But it is the misfortune of these reserved characters that they are so long in making themselves known; though, when they are known, they often prove the most truly estimable. I am afraid, even now, that I must be content with esteeming him at a distance.