Lyd. [Aside] She little thinks whom she is praising!—[Aloud.] So is Beverley, ma’am.

Mrs. Mal. No caparisons, miss, if you please. Caparisons don’t become a young woman. No! Captain Absolute is indeed a fine gentleman!

Lyd. Ay, the Captain Absolute you have seen.

[Aside.

Mrs. Mal. Then he’s so well bred;—so full of alacrity, and adulation!—and has so much to say for himself:—in such good language, too! His physiognomy so grammatical! Then his presence is so noble! I protest, when I saw him, I thought of what Hamlet says in the play:—

“Hesperian curls—the front of Job himself!—

An eye, like March, to threaten at command!—

A station, like Harry Mercury, new—”

Something about kissing—on a hill—however, the similitude struck me directly.

Lyd. How enraged she’ll be presently, when she discovers her mistake!

[Aside.

Enter Servant.

Ser. Sir Anthony and Captain Absolute are below, ma’am.

Mrs. Mal. Show them up here.—[Exit Servant.] Now, Lydia, I insist on your behaving as becomes a young woman, Show your good breeding, at least, though you have forgot your duty.

Lyd. Madam, I have told you my resolution!—I shall not only give him no encouragement, but I won’t even speak to, or look at him.

[Flings herself into a chair, with her face from the door.

Enter Sir Anthony Absolute and Captain Absolute.

Sir Anth. Here we are, Mrs. Malaprop; come to mitigate the frowns of unrelenting beauty,—and difficulty enough I had to bring this fellow.—I dont know what’s the matter; but if I had not held him by force, he’d have given me the slip.

Mrs. Mal. You have infinite trouble, Sir Anthony, in the affair. I am ashamed for the cause!—[Aside to Lydia.] Lydia, Lydia, rise, I beseech you!—pay your respects!

Sir Anth. I hope, madam, that Miss Languish has reflected on the worth of this gentleman, and the regard due to her aunt’s choice, and my alliance.—[Aside to Captain Absolute.] Now, Jack, speak to her.

Abs. [Aside.] What the devil shall I do!—[Aside to Sir Anthony.] You see, sir, she won’t even look at me whilst you are here. I knew she wouldn’t! I told you so. Let me entreat you, sir, to leave us together!

[Seems to expostulate with his father.

Lyd. [Aside.] I wonder I han’t heard my aunt exclaim yet! sure she can’t have looked at him!—perhaps the regimentals are alike, and she is something blind.

Sir Anth. I say, sir, I won’t stir a foot yet!

Mrs. Mal. I am sorry to say, Sir Anthony, that my affluence over my niece is very small.—[Aside to Lydia.] Turn round, Lydia: I blush for you!