Anna
You want to know if he spoke about your getting married?
Elizabeth
Shouldn't I think of it?
Anna True, you're still a girl—and when one remains a virgin so long, one runs the risk of remaining one forever. I've offered your father some pretty thoughts on the matter.
Elizabeth
Did he seem to you more favorably disposed to my wishes?
Anna Not at all. He believes you're still a child, and that you can no more think of marriage than your sister Belinda.
Elizabeth My mother warned me that if she died first, I would run the risk of not being married for a long time.
Anna We indeed see the fulfillment of her prophecy. Death—miss! We must make an effort.
Elizabeth
What do you think I should do?
Anna Tell your father how you feel. Tell him outright that he is stupidly deceived in the opinion he has of you—and that you're too much of a woman to remain a virgin much longer.
Elizabeth
I would never have the courage to tell him such a thing.