MRS. P. (starting). What’s that I hear? You love somebody else?
FANNY. Yes, and one who loves me, and one I’m determined to marry, or die an old maid. There!
MRS. P. (angrily). Silence, miss!
FANNY (impatiently). I won’t silence! If you think Sir Marmaduke such a very great catch, marry him yourself! I’ll consent to it, and give you away into the bargain! It’s quite evident you were never in love!
MRS. P. I beg your pardon! I was, intensely, with a youthful doctor! (Aside.) Poor Vicessimus! Ah! (giving a long sigh). Nevertheless, I married your father—and we were not so very unhappy, considering! (To FANNY, who is about to speak.) Not another word! My mind is made up, so the sooner you make up yours to become Lady Mangle the better!
Enter MRS. MAJOR and MAJOR at C., followed by JOSEPH.
MRS. MAJOR. Nothing so simple, Joseph! Tell Mary to put up a bed for Miss Fanny in her mamma’s room!
MRS. P. (sharply). What’s that? Put up a bed in my room?
MRS. MAJOR. Yes! Why not?
MRS. P. Because I won’t allow it!