Comediettas and Farces

by John Maddison Morton

JULIA (with increasing anger). So! Your frequent visits, your constant presence here, apparently so inconsistent with your “wounded feelings” (satirically), are now explained! It was for her! And I was to be kept in ignorance—to fancy, to believe, to hope—

BART. (surprised). Miss Templeton!

JULIA. I now understand this anxiety to dispose of my hand—this crowd of admirers thrown in my way! What mattered my feelings—my happiness? I was an obstacle to be removed! (with increasing excitement).

BART. I implore you—

JULIA (stamping her foot). Silence, sir!

Enter MRS. TEMPLETON hurriedly at R. H.

MRS. T. What is the matter here? Julia! what means this excitement—this agitation? Perhaps you, sir (to BARTON)—

BART. I am as much surprised as yourself, madam! I ventured to confide to Miss Julia my pretensions to the hand of her sister—

MRS. T. (with a scream). What! You had the cruelty, the barbarity to make such an avowal to her elder sister? (advancing upon BARTON, who retreats)—to lacerate her feelings! to wound her pride!