Dr Riccabocca.—"Nay, before speaking to Miss Hazeldean, it would surely be proper to know how far my addresses would be acceptable to the family."
Mrs Dale.—"Ah!"
Dr Riccabocca.—"The Squire is of course the head of the family."
Mrs Dale (absent and distrait.)—"The Squire—yes, very true—quite proper." (Then looking up and with naiveté)—"Can you believe me, I never thought of the Squire. And he is such an odd man, and has so many English prejudices, that really—dear me, how vexatious that it should never once have occurred to me that Mr Hazeldean had a voice in the matter! Indeed, the relationship is so distant—it is not like being her father; and Jemima is of age, and can do as she pleases; and—but, as you say, it is quite proper that he should be consulted as the head of the family."
Dr Riccabocca.—"And you think that the Squire of Hazeldean might reject my alliance! Pshaw! that's a grand word indeed;—I mean, that he might object very reasonably to his cousin's marriage with a foreigner, of whom he can know nothing, except that which in all countries is disreputable, and is said in this to be criminal—poverty."
Mrs Dale, (kindly.)—"You misjudge us poor English people, and you wrong the Squire, heaven bless him! for we were poor enough when he singled out my husband from a hundred for the minister of his parish, for his neighbour and his friend. I will speak to him fearlessly—"
Dr Riccabocca.—"And frankly. And now I have used that word, let me go on with the confession which your kindly readiness, my fair friend, somewhat interrupted. I said that if I might presume to think my addresses would be acceptable to Miss Hazeldean and her family, I was too sensible of her amiable qualities not to—not to—"
Mrs Dale (with demure archness.)—"Not to be the happiest of men—that's the customary English phrase, Doctor."
Riccabocca (gallantly.)—"There cannot be a better. But," continued he seriously, "I wish it first to be understood that I have—been married before."
Mrs Dale (astonished.)—"Married before!"