Angelica:
It's not obstinacy.
Mrs. Townly:
What, you contradict me without stopping?
Angelica:
To wish what you wish is to contradict you?
Mrs. Townly: Yes, yes, yes, because I want you to express your will and you won't do it.
Angelica:
But Mom!
Mrs. Townly: You make me beside myself. Shut up. They will all say I'm wrong again. Now it's you—yes, it's your spirit, one can call it that indeed—a spirit of contradiction. I don't know how I can live with you. A daughter like this is a real domestic calamity. I want to get rid of you for sure. Yes, miss—I will marry you off today. The two candidates are Edward Richly on one side and Mr. Nelson on the other. I will not give you the honor, I will not give you the choice. You will take the one I choose. I will speak to your father one more time. If his ideas are reasonable, I will agree. If not, no.
(Exit Mrs. Townly in a rage)
Angelica: (sighing) What violence is necessary to turn me into a dissimulator with all the world. I am naturally sincere. But where my mother is concerned I don't dare confide in any one if I'm in a situation where I can see what's happening.
(Enter Mr. Edward Richly)
Edward: Here I am again young lady, and I've resolved not to return to Oxford without having first had an explanation with you. I swear to you your manners make me beside myself. I am furious, worse, I'm no longer in possession of myself. When I think that since the last time I came here neither my love, nor my respect, nor my prayers, nor my reproaches, have succeeded in getting one word out of you. (pause) I can't make any sense out of it. When I spoke to you of the most violent passion that ever was, you listened to me with a tranquility, a languor that was incomprehensible. For women react either with love or scorn or anger to such emotions. Just Heavens, what am I to think of a silence so obstinate?