ABSOLUTE
Hush;—hush, my life! softly! be not surprised!
LYDIA I am so astonished! and so terrified! and so overjoyed!—for Heaven's sake! how came you here?
ABSOLUTE Briefly, I have deceived your aunt—I was informed that my new rival was to visit here this evening, and contriving to have him kept away, have passed myself on her for Captain Absolute.
LYDIA
O charming! And she really takes you for young Absolute?
ABSOLUTE
Oh, she's convinced of it.
LYDIA Ha! ha! ha! I can't forbear laughing to think how her sagacity is overreached!
ABSOLUTE But we trifle with our precious moments—such another opportunity may not occur; then let me now conjure my kind, my condescending angel, to fix the time when I may rescue her from undeserving persecution, and with a licensed warmth plead for my reward.
LYDIA Will you then, Beverley, consent to forfeit that portion of my paltry wealth?—that burden on the wings of love?
ABSOLUTE Oh, come to me—rich only thus—in loveliness! Bring no portion to me but thy love—'twill be generous in you, Lydia—for well you know, it is the only dower your poor Beverley can repay.
LYDIA [Aside.] How persuasive are his words!—how charming will poverty be with him!