Miss C. Well, sir, take advantage of your emancipation, I beg.
Nig. I will, and carry you back with me.
Miss C. No.
Nig. You mean “yes,” I must take your negative as an affirmative, you pervert your mother tongue, you know you do. Come, come, whatever you are, whether penniless, a female adventurer, a scheming widow with a family of full grown young men about you, I puff all such obstacles into the air; and, in spite of the worst, am ready to marry.
Miss C. Let me pass you. (Crosses to L.)
Nig. What’s the matter?
Miss C. The coach has gone off without me.
Nig. It has, it has. Now you are in my power.
Miss C. Well, sir, I may be compelled to return with you; but the moment I arrive at home you must leave me. Were I not in the dilemma that I am, I might forgive you; but I should loose respect for myself were I now to listen to you, I can bear my troubles as I have born my recent mortification, alone and in silence. (Crying.)
Nig. (Crying.) Oh! what a woman I have lost—what a heroine—how she would have decided all my actions. Caroline, have pity.