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

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
mortifying, to marry a weak man, and blush at my husband’s folly in every company
I visited. But to marry a depraved wretch, whose only virtue is a polished exterior;
who is actuated by the unmanly ambition of conquering the defenceless; whose
heart, insensible to the emotions of patriotism, dilates at the plaudits of every
unthinking girl; whose laurels are the sighs and tears of the miserable victims of
his specious behaviour,—can he, who has no regard for the peace and happiness
of other families, ever have a due regard for the peace and happiness of his own?
Would to heaven that my father were not so hasty in his temper? Surely, if I were
to state my reasons for declining this match, he would not compel me to marry a
man, whom, though my lips may solemnly promise to honour, I nd my heart must
ever despise. [Exit.
END OF THE FIRST ACT.
ACT II. SCENE I.
Enter CHARLOTTE and LETITIA.
CHARLOTTE [at entering]
Betty, take those things out of the carriage and carry them to my chamber; see
that you don’t tumble them. My dear, I protest, I think it was the homeliest of the
whole. I declare I was almost tempted to return and change it.
Why would you take it?
LETITIA
CHARLOTTE
Didn’t Mrs. Catgut say it was the most fashionable?
LETITIA
But, my dear, it will never t becomingly on you.
CHARLOTTE
I know that; but did you not hear Mrs. Catgut say it was fashionable?
LETITIA
Did you see that sweet airy cap with the white sprig?
CHARLOTTE
Yes, and I longed to take it; but, my dear, what could I do? Did not Mrs. Catgut say
it was the most fashionable; and if I had not taken it, was not that awkward, gawky,
Sally Slender, ready to purchase it immediately?
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