Louisa. Tell me, sir, immediately, how, and by whose appointment, you came here?
Willoughby. By love, madam; the same passion that has prompted me to pursue you for years, now happily conducts me hither;—I come to lessen your fears, not to increase them.
Louisa. Then, leave me, sir, I can protect myself.
Willoughby. No, not till you have heard and pitied me; I have been long your suitor, and long scorned by you; you have treated me with indifference, and preferred my inferiors; how I have deserved all this, yourself can best explain, but, to prove all former cruelties are forgotten, I here offer you my hand, and, with it, my heart.
Louisa. Sir,—this is no time for hearing you on this subject; if you wish to oblige me, leave me.
Willoughby. No, not till I am answered;—years may elapse ere I shall have another opportunity like the present, therefore no time can be so well as now.
Louisa. Then I command you to leave me,—I will not be threatened into a compliance.
Willoughby. Look ye, Miss Courtney—I would avoid taking advantage of your situation—nay, start not—but if you persist in your contempt of me, I know not to what extremities passion may hurry me; I have every motive for redress, and, if you do not instantly give me your word, to prefer me to that beggar Neville, I may do that, my cooler sense would scorn.
Louisa. Beggar, sir!
Willoughby. Yes; and, were he not beneath my resentment, I'd tell you more;—but he is too poor—too—