Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
she found she ought to have rejected, according to every rule of romance, even the
man of her choice, if imposed upon her in that manner. Clary Harlow would have
scorned such a match.
CHARLOTTE
Well, how was it on Mr. Dimple’s return? Did he meet a more favourable reception
than his letters?
LETITIA
Much the same. She spoke of him with respect abroad, and with contempt in
her closet. She watched his conduct and conversation, and found that he had by
travelling, acquired the wickedness of Lovelace without his wit, and the politeness
of Sir Charles Grandison without his generosity. The ruddy youth, who washed his
face at the cistern every morning, and swore and looked eternal love and constancy,
was now metamorphosed into a ippant, palid, polite beau, who devotes the
morning to his toilet, reads a few pages of Chestereld’s letters, and then minces
out, to put the infamous principles in practice upon every woman he meets.
CHARLOTTE
But, if she is so apt at conjuring up these sentimental bugbears, why does she not
discard him at once?
LETITIA
Why, she thinks her word too sacred to be tried with. Besides, her father, who
has a great respect for the memory of his deceased friend, is ever telling her how
he shall renew his years in their union, and repeating the dying injunctions of old
Van Dumpling.
CHARLOTTE
A mighty pretty story! And so you would make me believe that the sensible Maria
would give up Dumpling manor, and the all-accomplished Dimple as a husband, for
the absurd, ridiculous reason, forsooth, because she despises and abhors him. Just
as if a lady could not be privileged to spend a man’s fortune, ride in his carriage,
be called after his name, and call him her nown dear lovee when she wants money,
without loving and respecting the great he-creature. Oh! my dear girl, you are a
monstrous prude.
LETITIA
I don’t say what I would do; I only intimate how I suppose she wishes to act.
CHARLOTTE
No, no, no! A g for sentiment. If she breaks, or wishes to break, with Mr. Dimple,
depend upon it, she has some other man in her eye. A woman rarely discards one
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