Mr F I protest, Madam, you have forced a construction that I never once so much as dreamed of.
Mrs G Why, Mr Faulkland (with a very brisk tone), do you fancy that by changing Mr Arnold for you on any other conditions, that I am such a mighty gainer by the bargain?
Mr F Why really, Madam, if that were to be the case, I don’t think you would be a very great loser: you have got as much from poor Arnold as you could expect: I am able to do better for you; and, as I am nobody’s property, it would certainly, in that respect, be rather a more eligible course.
Mrs G Sir, you use me very ill! I did not expect such treatment.
Mr F How, pray Madam? Did I ever say I would marry you?
Mrs G No, Sir; but your behaviour has given me room to suppose that such a thing was in your thoughts.
Mr F Are you not then the more obliged to me for treating you with such respect as made you fancy so?
Mrs G Respect! respect (muttering between her teeth), Mr Faulkland! (and she stood up) there is not a man in England but yourself, after what I have declared, that would refuse making me his wife.
Mr F What have you declared, Mrs Gerrarde?
Mrs G Why, have I not ingenuously owned my failings, shewed myself sorry for them, quitted them, and made all the reparation in my power?