Stra. I know not, nor do I wish to know.
Bar. And your children?
Stra. I left them at a small town hard by.
Bar. But why did you not keep your children with you? They would have amused you in many a dreary hour.
Stra. Amused me! Oh, yes! while their likeness to their mother would every hour remind me of my past happiness! No. For three years I have never seen them. I hate that any human creature should be near me, young or old! Had not ridiculous habits made a servant necessary, I should long since have discharged him; though he is not the worst among the bad.
Bar. Such too often are the consequences of great alliances. Therefore, Charles, I have resolved to take a wife from a lower rank of life.
Stra. You marry!—Ha! ha! ha!
Bar. You shall see her. She is in the house where you are expected. Come with me.
Stra. What! I mix again with the world!
Bar. To do a generous action without requiring thanks is noble and praise-worthy. But so obstinately to avoid those thanks, as to make the kindness a burden, is affectation.