Not in themselves perhaps, but by a little exaggeration which a true mimic never spares, they become so. CONSTANTIA. Oh Mamma, what an odious character. I shall never mimic anybody again. ALICIA, (_during this scene, is greatly affected_.) CONSTANTIA. My dear cousin, what is the matter with you? ALICIA. Nothing. CONSTANTIA. Alicia, that cannot be. MRS. LEYSTER. My dear child, compose yourself, and don’t strive to conceal an emotion, which does you so much credit. You have been affected by the reproof I have given Constance. Is it not so? ALICIA. Oh yes ma’am, it is so like I have been, so faulty, so absurd. MRS. LEYSTER. Since you feel that my dear girl, you sufficiently prove that your heart was not wrong. ALICIA. Ah madam, you are very good, you read my heart and I am afraid you despise me; you must, for I have shown such contempt of all that is rational. CONSTANTIA. Dear Alicia, I am sure Mama loves you. MRS. LEYSTER. To own an error is the surest sign of amendment. ALICIA. How good you are to encourage me. Yes, if you can forgive and love me, I shall be happier than I have ever been. MRS. LEYSTER. We cannot be happy with a sense of an error in the heart, however stifled by pride. Shall I tell you, my dear niece, in what respect I think you most blameable? ALICIA. I shall be willing to hear and I hope to amend. MRS. LEYSTER. I have avoided hitherto, my dear, speaking of the cause which brought you here; till I could gain your confidence, till Constantia could gain your love. I hope you now consider her as your sister and me as your maternal friend. ALICIA. Ah, if you will permit me. CONSTANTIA. Oh, my dear cousin, what joy you give me. MRS. LEYSTER. Henceforth, I hope we shall be happy in each other. Permit me then, my dear girl, to tell you, you have never seemed sufficiently sensible of the fault which brought you here, till this morning. Am I deceived, or may I attribute the tears you have shed, as tokens of sorrow for having betrayed your mother’s confidence? ALICIA. No my dear aunt, you are not deceived. When you reproved Constance for a slight indiscretion compared to mine, I felt how greatly I had offended my affectionate mother, whose forgiveness I never sought, but with sullen pride, left her reluctantly. MRS. LEYSTER.