SKRUFF. Yes! it was a gigantic mistake on your old fool of an uncle’s part to admit him here at all! If he’d had a grain of common-sense he’d have seen that he only came here after your ten thousand pounds.
FLOR. (smiling). My ten thousand pounds!
SKRUFF (aside). She doesn’t deny it! Rapture!
FLOR. (drawing a long sigh). Ah! Mr. Skruff—what dangers surround the hapless girl destined by cruel fate to be an heiress!
SKRUFF (in a sympathizing tone). It must be very unpleasant! though I never was an heiress myself!
FLOR. Would that all men were as disinterested as you, sir!
SKRUFF. True, Miss Florence—for my part, if I were to marry a young lady with ten thousand pounds—
FLOR. You’d settle it all on herself—I know—I’m sure you would! The quiet charm of a country life would be unspeakable rapture to you! To help her to tend her flowers—to feed her poultry—to grow her own currants and gooseberries—
SKRUFF. And her own eggs—and new-laid butter!
FLOR. But alas! Mallingford is my uncle’s choice, and our union is irrevocable!