![]() ![]() Hardcastle’s son, directs them for lodging to a supposed inn, which really is the Hardcastle home. When they stop at an alehouse for directions, Tony Lumpkin, Mrs. He is accompanied by Hastings, who loves Constance Neville, a niece and ward of Kate’s mother. When through ludicrous misunderstandings these come to naught, Squire Hardcastle benignly sets everything right for both pairs of lovers.Ĭharles Marlow, bashful with women of his own class but uninhibited with those of lower rank, is traveling to meet Kate Hardcastle, his prospective wife. When she reveals herself as a well born but poor relation of the Hardcastle family he acknowledges his love for her.įurther comic situations are created by Tony’s attempts to help Constance and her lover elope with her casket of jewels. In her bar maid’s guise she is pleasantly surprised to find him not dumb but, indeed, possessed of a graceful and ready wit. She encourages the deception in order to find out if he is really as witless as he seems. It is not surprising, therefore, that later in the evening when he sees her going about the house in the plain house dress her father insists on, he takes her for the bar maid. In his embarrassment he never once looks at her face. When introduced to Kate young Marlow can find little to say and stumbles over that. This pair agree to keep Marlow in ignorance and pretend that Constance and Kate simply happen to be stopping the night at the inn. Young Hastings, as soon as he sees Constance, puts two and two together. Neither young Marlow nor Squire Hardcastle senses that both are victims of a hoax and the squire is much incensed at the bold and impudent behavior of his friend’s son. He directs them to the Hardcastle house which he highly recommends if they will excuse the eccentricities of the owner and his family. Tony Lumpkin, who is there as usual with his cronies, conceives the idea of persuading the young men that they have lost their way and will have to spend the night at an inn. The approaching travellers stop at the village inn to inquire their way. The Hardcastle family are momentarily expecting the arrival of young Marlow and his friend, Hastings. He is, however, a master of clever repartee when talking to bar maids and girls of like station. ![]() It is young Marlow’s misfortune to be dumb in the presence of ladies of his own social status. Hardcastle, likewise, has plans for his own charming daughter, Kate, whom he wishes to marry the son of his old friend, Sir Charles Marlow. The young people, however, have other plans, especially Miss Neville who is secretly pledged to one, Hastings. In this way she will be enabled to keep in the family Miss Neville’s fortune which consists of a casket of valuable jewels. SQUIRE HARDCASTLE’S second wife is quite determined that her spoiled and not too brilliant son, Tony Lumpkin, shall marry her niece, Constance Neville. ![]()
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