_Belvil._ Hush, Jack, don't betray yourself. But you are really ashamed of the family-name?
_Mr. H._ Ay, and of my father that begot me, and my father's father, and all their forefathers that have borne it since the Conquest.
_Belvil_. But how do you know the women are so squeamish?
_Mr. H_. I have tried them. I tell you there is neither maiden of sixteen nor widow of sixty but would turn up their noses at it. I have been refused by nineteen virgins, twenty-nine relicts, and two old maids.
_Mr. H_. Parsons have stuck at publishing the banns, because they averred it was a heathenish name; parents have lingered their consent, because they suspected it was a fictitious name; and rivals have declined my challenges, because they pretended it was an ungentlemanly name.
_Belvil_. Ha, ha, ha! but what course do you mean to pursue?
_Mr. H_. To engage the affections of some generous girl, who will be content to take me as Mr. H.
_Mr. H_. Yes, that is the name I go by here; you know one likes to be as near the truth as possible.
_Belvil_. Certainly. But what then? to get her to consent--
_Mr. H_. To accompany me to the altar without a name--in short, to suspend her curiosity (that is all) till the moment the priest shall pronounce the irrevocable charm, which makes two names one.
_Belvil_. And that name--and then she must be pleased, ha, Jack?
_Mr. H_. Exactly such a girl it has been my fortune to meet with; hark'e (_whispers_)--(_musing_). Yet, hang it! 'tis cruel to betray her confidence.
_Mr. H_. As you say, the family-name must be perpetuated.
_Mr. H._ True; but come, I will show you the house where dwells this credulous melting fair.
_Belvil._ Ha, ha! my old friend dwindled down to one letter.
SCENE._-An Apartment in_ MELESINDA'S _House._ MELESINDA _sola, as if musing._
_Melesinda._ H, H, H. Sure it must be something precious by its being concealed. It can't be Homer, that is a Heathen's name; nor Horatio, that is no surname: what if it be Hamlet? the Lord Hamlet--pretty, and I his poor distracted Ophelia! No,'tis none of these; 'tis Harcourt or Hargrave, or some such sounding name, or Howard, high-born Howard, that would do; maybe it is Harley, methinks my H. resembles Harley, the feeling Harley. But I hear him! and from his own lips I will once forever be resolved.