SCENE FROM "THE RIVALS"
BY RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN
Mrs. M. There, Sir Anthony, there stands the deliberate simpleton who wants to disgrace her family and lavish herself on a fellow not worth a shilling.
Lyd. Madam, I thought you once——
Mrs. M. You thought, miss! I don't know any business you have to think at all. Thought does not become a young woman. But the point we would request of you is, that you will promise to forget this fellow—to illiterate him, I say, from your memory.
Lyd. Ah, madam! our memories are independent of our wills. It is not so easy to forget.
Mrs. M. But I say it is, miss! There is nothing on earth so easy as to forget, if a person chooses to set about it. I'm sure I have as much forgot your poor, dear uncle as if he had never existed, and I thought it my duty to do so; and let me tell you, Lydia, these violent memories don't become a young woman.
Sir A. Surely, the young woman does not pretend to remember what she is ordered to forget! Ah, this comes of her reading.
Lyd. What crime, madam, have I committed, to be treated thus?
Mrs. M. Now don't attempt to extirpate yourself from the matter; you know I have proof controvertible of it. But tell me, will you promise me to do as you are bid? Will you take a husband of your friends' choosing?
Lyd. Madam, I must tell you plainly that, had I no preference for any one else, the choice you have made would be my aversion.