Sir C. You'll be puzzled to make her more ridiculous than I think her. What is your plan?
Lady E. Why, though her pride is to be thought a leader in fashions, she is sometimes a servile copyist. Blandish tells me I am her principal model; and what is most provoking, she is intent upon catching my manner as well as my dress, which she exaggerates to an excess that vexes me. Now if she will take me in shade, I'll give her a new outline, I am resolved; and if I do not make her a caricature for a printshop——
Cliff. Will all this be strictly consistent with your goodnature, Lady Emily?
Lady E. No, nor I don't know when I shall do any thing consistent with it again, except leaving you two critics to a better subject than your humble servant.
[Courtesies, and exit with a lively air.
Sir C. Well, Clifford! What do you think of her?
Cliff. That when she professes ill-temper, she is a very awkward counterfeit.
Sir C. But her beauty, her wit, her improvement since you went abroad? I expected from a man of your age and taste, something more than a cold compliment upon her temper. Could not you, compatibly with the immaculate sincerity you profess, venture as far as admiration?
Cliff. I admire her, sir, as I do a bright star in the firmament, and consider the distance of both as equally immeasurable.
Sir C. [Aside.] Specious rogue! [To him.] Well, leave Emily then to be winked at through telescopes; and now to a matter of nearer observation——What is Gayville doing?