Will. (impatiently). You will not promise without her consent and you forbid me to ask it as she will of a surety say “No.” Then it lies with you to obtain it by fair means or foul.
Betty (firmly). William, I will do my best to obtain it even by craft.
Enter Miss B. unobserved. She listens.
Will. Craft would be fair enough. She cannot appreciate true affection. A woman who has flouted one of the best men in the world and yet doth keep him dangling! Bah! If he were not a saint he would betake himself to another woman and be happy. Betty, I love you better than anything in life save honor, but I will not be put off like Judge Ingram. I swear that I will wed you e’en though a dozen frozen-hearted spinsters barred my way.
Miss B. Highty-tighty, young man! By what right do you embrace my niece?
(The lovers start apart.)
Will. By the right of the great affection between her and me, madam. I duly crave your permission to marry her.
Miss B. (coldly). You are a Dickinson. That permission you will never have.
Will. If there is naught against me save my name, I beg of you to reconsider your decision.
Miss B. (positively). Nay, my mind is made up on that point.