Harriet Did you hear, Trippet? Is there a misfortune equal to mine? Isn't it enough to lose hope of being with Worthy? Now, I must reconcile myself to becoming the wife of this detestable Mr. Flem.
Trippet
Flem is difficult to swallow—assuredly.
Harriet Worthy, dear Worthy, what will your despair be when you hear this news?
Trippet Alas! I believe I can already see how unhappy he will be. What a lively sadness moistens his eye. What tears mix with yours. Oh, I loathe the old apothecary.
Harriet
Trippet, your joking is unseasonable.
Trippet I'm not joking. I don't know any more than you what the future will hold. But my point of view is different. You see despair and I see cause for hope. I read the future in a way that is more agreeable than you do.
Harriet You are deceiving yourself. I am already unhappy enough to be married to Mr. Flem. Without doubt, I will gag of it. But I will fulfill my destiny. The more I have to suffer, the more my character will grow.
Trippet I know very well that character thrives on hardship—but sometimes hardship corrupts a pure heart.
Harriet
I hear a noise. Someone is coming.
Trippet
Eh, Miss, it's Mr. Worthy.