Lord. The loss of all your Fortune, If you refuse the Wife I have provided— Especially a handsom Lady, as she is, Frank.
Bel. Oh me, unhappy! What cursed Laws provided this Severity?
Lord. Even those of your Father’s Disposal, who seeing so many Examples in this leud Age, of the ruin of whole Families by imprudent Marriages, provided otherwise for you.
Bel. But, Sir, admit Diana be inclin’d, And I (by my unhappy Stars so curs’d) Should be unable to accept the Honour.
Lord. How, Sir! admit!—I can no more admit, Than you can suppose—therefore give me your final Answer.
Bel. Sir, can you think a Blessing e’er can fall Upon that Pair, whom Interest joins, not Love?
Lord. Why, what’s in Diana, that you shou’d not love her?
Bel. I must confess she has a thousand Virtues,
The least of which wou’d bless another Man;
But, Sir, I hope, if I am so unhappy
As not to love that Lady, you will pardon me.
Lord. Indeed, Sir, but I will not; love me this Lady, and marry me this Lady, or I will teach you what it is to refuse such a Lady.
Bel. Sir, ‘tis not in my power to obey you.