MRS. CROAKER. Well, you're a dear good-natured creature. But you know you're engaged with us this morning upon a strolling party. I want to show Olivia the town and the things; I believe I shall have business for you for the whole day. HONEYW. I am sorry, madam, I have an appointment with Mr. Croaker, which it is impossible to put off. MRS. CROAKER. What! with my husband? Then I'm resolved to take no refusal. Nay, I protest you must. You know I never laugh so much as with you. HONEYW. Why, if I must, I must, I'll swear, you have put me into such spirits. Well, do you find jest, and I'll find laugh, I promise you. We'll wait for the chariot in the next room. [_Exeunt._ _Enter_ LEONTINE _and_ OLIVIA. LEONT. There they go, thoughtless and happy. My dearest Olivia, what would I give to see you capable of sharing in their amusements, and as cheerful as they are! OLIVIA. How, my Leontine, how can I be cheerful, when I have so many terrors to oppress me? The fear of being detected by this family, and the apprehensions of a censuring world, when I must be detected—— LEONT. The world! my love, what can it say? At worst, it can only say that, being compelled by a mercenary guardian to embrace a life you disliked, you formed a resolution of flying with the man of your choice; that you confided in his honour, and took refuge in my father's house; the only one where yours could remain without censure. [Illustration: "CROAKER.—_Well, and you have both of you a mutual choice._"—_p._ 279. ] OLIVIA. But consider, Leontine, your disobedience and my indiscretion: your being sent to France to bring home a sister; and, instead of a sister, bringing home—— LEONT. One dearer than a thousand sisters; one that I am convinced will be equally dear to the rest of the family, when she comes to be known. OLIVIA. And that I fear, will shortly be. LEONT. Impossible till we ourselves think proper to make the discovery. My sister, you know, has been with her aunt, at Lyons, since she was a child; and you find every creature in the family takes you for her. OLIVIA. But mayn't she write? mayn't her aunt write? LEONT. Her aunt scarce ever writes, and all my sister's letters are directed to me. OLIVIA. But won't your refusing Miss Richland, for whom you know the old gentleman intends you, create a suspicion? LEONT. There, there's my masterstroke. I have resolved not to refuse her; nay, an hour hence I have consented to go with my father, to make her an offer of my heart and fortune. OLIVIA. Your heart and fortune!