MRS. C. Of course! (with increasing animation) Haven’t I to make up the twenty years I lost with Carver? yes, and what’s more, I mean to make them up! Yes, Marmy! balls, concerts, operas, assemblies, masquerades, regattas, races!—wherever you are, there will I be! Wherever you go, there will I go. Oh, how I long to begin! how I pant to mingle in “the gay, the gay, the festive scenes—the halls, the halls of dazzling light,” and sport the light fantastic toe in the merry, joyous dance! (dancing a few steps)
WOOD. (after a stare of astonishment) Dance? a woman of her substance! she couldn’t do it! (aloud) I’m only afraid, my very dear Mrs. Carver, that “light fantastic toe” of yours won’t have much to do in our quiet little town of Stow-on-the-Wold!
MRS. C. Stow-on-the-Wold? Faugh! I’m speaking of London!
WOOD. (with a start) London?
MRS. C. Yes! Where we shall be this very evening. Yes, Marmy, that’s the little agreeable surprise we had in store for you, ha, ha, ha!
WOOD. (aside) Now, Woodcock, prove yourself a man, Woodcock—assert your dignity, Woodcock—and let Carver see you’re not going to stand any of Carver’s nonsense, Woodcock! (aloud and drawing himself up) Mrs. Lieutenant Colonel Carver—(thrusting his hand in his waistcoat, the paper parcel shews itself below it—WOODCOCK hastily thrusts it up again) I repeat, Mrs. Lieutenant Colonel Carver——
MRS. C. I know what you are going to say, Marmy, but don’t be alarmed! we’ve settled everything without you—in short, you’ll have nothing whatever to do except to supply the money—there!
WOOD. (still more dignified) Mrs. Lieutenant Colonel Carver—(here the parcel again appears below his waistcoat—he thrusts it up so violently that it shews itself above it under his chin)
MRS. C. In the first place that kindest, best of creatures, Mrs. Larkings has already secured apartments for us close to their own residence in the Regent’s Park, eight guineas and a half a week, the cheapest thing I ever heard of!
WOOD. Mrs. Lieutenant Colonel Carver——