Mrs. W. Your dear Emily! By what right, sir, do you speak of my daughter as your dear Emily?
Emily. Because, mamma, I have consented—
Mrs. W. How, girl! This to my face? To your chamber, miss.
Walter. Again, madam, I have to own myself in the wrong. It is your dear Emily to whom I have come to bid a long farewell.
Mrs. W. A short farewell, sir, is all that is necessary—and more than I shall allow. My domestics will have instructions to remove you, within five minutes, from this domain. What ho! there—cook and serving-maid!
(Exit Mrs. Watmuff, door L.)
Emily. Walter, surely you do not mean to give me up!
Walter. My darling, do you—can you—doubt me? I shall never give you up; but I am convinced that our only course is to temporize. Your mother is, to say the least of it, arbitrary; but does she not give me a glorious chance of proving the strength of my affection for you?
Emily. How, dearest?
Walter. I am prepared to marry you, my darling, even during her lifetime.