LYDIA
[Peevishly.] Friends' consent indeed!
ABSOLUTE Come, come, we must lay aside some of our romance—a little wealth and comfort may be endured after all. And for your fortune, the lawyers shall make such settlements as——
LYDIA
Lawyers! I hate lawyers!
ABSOLUTE Nay, then, we will not wait for their lingering forms, but instantly procure the licence, and——
LYDIA
The licence!—I hate licence!
ABSOLUTE
Oh my love! be not so unkind!—thus let me entreat—— [Kneeling.]
LYDIA
Psha!—what signifies kneeling, when you know I must have you?
ABSOLUTE [Rising.] Nay, madam, there shall be no constraint upon your inclinations, I promise you.—If I have lost your heart—I resign the rest—[Aside.] 'Gad, I must try what a little spirit will do.
LYDIA [Rising.] Then, sir, let me tell you, the interest you had there was acquired by a mean, unmanly imposition, and deserves the punishment of fraud.—What, you have been treating me like a child!—humouring my romance! and laughing, I suppose, at your success!
ABSOLUTE
You wrong me, Lydia, you wrong me—only hear——