ABSOLUTE
Not a word of her, sir.
Sir ANTHONY
Odd so!—I mustn't forget her though.—Yes, Jack, the independence I
was talking of is by marriage—the fortune is saddled with a wife—but
I suppose that makes no difference.
ABSOLUTE
Sir! sir!—you amaze me!
Sir ANTHONY Why, what the devil's the matter with the fool? Just now you were all gratitude and duty.
ABSOLUTE I was, sir,—you talked to me of independence and a fortune, but not a word of a wife.
Sir ANTHONY Why—what difference does that make? Odds life, sir! if you have the estate, you must take it with the live stock on it, as it stands.
ABSOLUTE If my happiness is to be the price, I must beg leave to decline the purchase.—Pray, sir, who is the lady?
Sir ANTHONY What's that to you, sir?—Come, give me your promise to love, and to marry her directly.
ABSOLUTE Sure, sir, this is not very reasonable, to summon my affections for a lady I know nothing of!
Sir ANTHONY I am sure, sir, 'tis more unreasonable in you to object to a lady you know nothing of.