Dam. Ah, you abusive woman! If we are villains, ’tis your abominable sex that makes us such. If you were not weak, we should not be wicked? Who lost Mark Antony the world? a woman. Who betrayed the strong man into the hands of his enemies?—a woman. Who was the origin of all evil?—a woman, a woman!
Miss Mac. Who leads armies to battle and slaughter?—man. Who tyrannizes over and enslaves our poor weak sex?—man. Who always plays the violin while Rome is burning?—man. And if woman was the origin of all evil, who has cherished and supported evil, heart and soul, since its first introduction?—man, man!
Dam. And who has helped him?—woman! Good morning!
[Exit D.F.
Miss Mac. That is the most complete savage I have yet encountered!
Re-enter CHESTER, L.
Che. Your niece, madam, desires to see you. If my visit here has at all annoyed you, believe me I am sorry for it, and can assure you that the annoyance will not be repeated; for Miss Meadows and I are now as strangers!
Miss Mac. I am rejoiced to hear it.
Che. I should have been proud and happy to have made her my wife without asking one question as to her origin or connexions, so great was the confidence I reposed in her. She has proved that her faith cannot equal mine; and on that point we have parted, and for ever! Good morning.