Lyd. No—nor ever can while I have life.

Mrs. Mal. An ill-tempered little devil! She’ll be in a passion all her life—will she?

[Aside.

Lyd. Think not the idle threats of my ridiculous aunt can ever have any weight with me.

Mrs. Mal. Very dutiful, upon my word!

[Aside.

Lyd. Let her choice be Captain Absolute, but Beverley is mine.

Mrs. Mal. I am astonished at her assurance!—to his face—this is to his face.

[Aside.

Abs. Thus then let me enforce my suit.

[Kneeling.

Mrs. Mal. [Aside] Ay, poor young man!—down on his knees entreating for pity!—I can contain no longer.—[Coming forward.] Why, thou vixen!—I have overheard you.

Abs. Oh, confound her vigilance!

[Aside.

Mrs. Mal. Captain Absolute, I know not how to apologize for her shocking rudeness.

Abs. [Aside.] So all’s safe, I find.—[Aloud.] I have hopes, madam, that time will bring the young lady—

Mrs. Mal. Oh, there’s nothing to be hoped for from her! she’s as headstrong as an allegory on the banks of Nile.

Lyd. Nay, madam, what do you charge me with now?

Mrs. Mal. Why, thou unblushing rebel—didn’t you tell this gentleman to his face that you loved another better?—didn’t you say you never would be his?

Lyd. No, madam—I did not.

Mrs. Mal. Good heavens! what assurance!—Lydia, Lydia, you ought to know that lying don’t become a young woman!—Didn’t you boast that Beverley, that stroller Beverley, possessed your heart?—Tell me that, I say.

Lyd. ’Tis true, ma’am, and none but Beverley—

Mrs. Mal. Hold!—hold, Assurance!—you shall not be so rude.

Abs. Nay, pray, Mrs. Malaprop, don’t stop the young lady’s speech: she’s very welcome to talk thus—it does not hurt me in the least, I assure you.

Mrs. Mal. You are too good, captain—too amiably patient— but come with me, miss.—Let us see you again soon, captain— remember what we have fixed.