Counsellor. Pray, Sir—too kind—the pleasure of your company——
Mr. D. It is time to come to an explanation: therefore, Sir—without farther preface, my daughter, I think, is the object of your visits?
Counsellor. She is, Sir.
Mr. D. You wish, doubtless, to marry her?
Counsellor. Yes—yes—if—to be sure, for my part—I——
Mr. D. [earnestly]. You certainly can mean nothing else. You will permit me to say, that my daughter cannot comply with your wishes; and therefore, as marriage is out of the question,—[mildly] I must entreat you, Sir, for the sake of her reputation, to forbear your visits for the future.
Counsellor. How? I am astonished! Mr. Drave—
Mr. D. Forgive me, Sir! regard for Augusta forced me to this unpleasant conversation.
Counsellor. But what objection can you have? If a marriage cannot take place, must I for that reason avoid your house?
Mr. D. I fear my daughter might forget the duties of a wife, in listening to the flatteries of a lover.