MRS. P. Then listen. Although you are still very young-- FANNY. Nineteen next birthday, mamma. MRS. P. Don't interrupt me! Although you are still young, I have been reflecting a good deal lately on that all-important subject, your future settlement in life! FANNY (_quickly_). So have I, mamma! (_Aside._) I shall be able to get in a word presently about Augustus! MRS. P. In other words, don't you consider it high time you thought of matrimony? FANNY (_very quickly_). I _do,_ mamma! I'm always thinking of it! MRS. P. But of course it isn't likely _you_ can have any one in your eye _yet!_ FANNY. I beg your pardon! I _have!_ MRS. P. (_severely_). What's that you say? FANNY. That is--I mean--of course I hain't! (_Aside._) It won't do to say anything about Augustus yet; I must keep him dark! MRS. P. Then you have no positive antipathy to the married state? FANNY. I should think not, indeed! (_very quickly_). MRS. P. (_severely_). My dear, I'm really surprised to hear a well-educated young lady express herself in such, I might almost say indelicate, terms. But to return; I need not say I would not encourage any candidate for your hand who was not deserving of you. FANNY. Of course not, mamma! He _must_ be worthy of such a treasure! MRS. P. Tolerably young, and not absolutely ill-looking! FANNY (_eagerly_). Certainly not! (_Aside._) I call Augustus decidedly _good-_looking! MRS. P. And in the possession of ample means. FANNY (_aside_). Augustus has got ever so much already, besides two rich maiden aunts and an aged godmother! MRS. P. All of which qualifications are, fortunately, in the possession of Sir Marmaduke Mangle! FANNY. Sir Marmaduke Mangle? Lor, mamma, you can't mean that little old man we met at Brighton, with a bad cough, a wig, and a canary-colored complexion? MRS. P. He's not old by any means, and is only _slightly_ canary-colored after all! However, he has seen you, he admires you, and offers you his hand, his heart, his title, and his fortune! FANNY. But I don't love _him,_ mamma! I never _could_ love him--even if I didn't love somebody else! MRS. P. (_starting_). What's that I hear? You love somebody else? FANNY. Yes, and one who loves _me,_ and one I'm determined to marry, or die an old maid. There! MRS. P. (_angrily_). Silence, miss! FANNY (_impatiently_). I won't silence! If you think Sir Marmaduke such a very great catch, marry him yourself! I'll consent to it, and give you away into the bargain! It's quite evident you were never in love! MRS. P. I beg your pardon! I _was,_ intensely, with a youthful doctor! (_Aside._) Poor Vicessimus! Ah! (_giving a long sigh_). Nevertheless, I married your father--and we were not so _very_ unhappy, considering! (_To FANNY, who is about to speak._) Not another word! My mind is made up, so the sooner you make up _yours_ to become Lady Mangle the better! _Enter MRS. MAJOR and MAJOR at C., followed by JOSEPH._