Olivia. I was prepared, sir, for your anger, and despaired of pardon, even while I presumed to ask it. But your severity shall never abate my affection, as my punishment is but justice.
Croaker. And yet you should not despair neither, Livy. We ought to hope all for the best.
Olivia. And do you permit me to hope, sir? Can I ever expect to be forgiven? But hope has too long deceived me.
Croaker. Why then, child, it shan't deceive you now, for I forgive you this very moment; I forgive you all; and now you are indeed my daughter.
Olivia. O transport! This kindness overpowers me.
Croaker. I was always against severity to our children. We have been young and giddy ourselves, and we can't expect boys and girls to be old before their time.
Olivia. What generosity! But can you forget the many falsehoods, the dissimulation——
Croaker. You did indeed dissemble, you urchin you; but where's the girl that won't dissemble for a husband? My wife and I had never been married, if we had not dissembled a little beforehand.
Olivia. It shall be my future care never to put such generosity to a second trial. And as for the partner of my offence and folly, from his native honour, and the just sense he has of his duty, I can answer for him that——
Enter Leontine.