BARON. [_sitting down, and trying to compose himself_]. You are not to marry count Cassel—And now, mention his name to me no more. AMELIA. I won’t—indeed I won’t—for I hate his name.—But thank you, my dear father, for this good news [_draws a chair, and sits on the opposite side of the table on which he leans.—And after a pause_] And who am I to marry? BARON. [_his head on his hand_]. I can’t tell. [Amelia _appears to have something on her mind which she wishes to disclose_.] AMELIA. I never liked the Count. BARON. No more did I. AMELIA. [_after a pause_]. I think love comes just as it pleases, without being asked. BARON. It does so [_in deep thought_]. AMELIA. [_after another pause_]. And there are instances where, perhaps, the object of love makes the passion meritorious. BARON. To be sure there are. AMELIA. For example; my affection for Mr. Anhalt as my tutor. BARON. Right. AMELIA. [_after another pause_]. I should like to marry. [_sighing_.] BARON. So you shall [_a pause_]. It is proper for every body to marry. AMELIA. Why, then, does not Mr. Anhalt marry? BARON. You must ask him that question yourself. AMELIA. I have. BARON. And what did he say? AMELIA. Will you give me leave to tell you what he said? BARON. Certainly. AMELIA. And you won’t be angry? BARON. Undoubtedly not. AMELIA. Why, then—you know you commanded me never to disguise or conceal the truth. BARON. I did so. AMELIA. Why, then he said—— BARON. What did he say? AMELIA. He said—he would not marry me without your consent for the world. BARON. [_starting from his chair_]. And pray, how came this the subject of your conversation? AMELIA. [_rising_]. _I_ brought it up. BARON. And what did you say? AMELIA. I said that birth and fortune were such old-fashioned things to me, I cared nothing about either: and that I had once heard my father declare, he should consult my happiness in marrying me, beyond any other consideration. BARON. I will once more repeat to you my sentiments. It is the custom in this country for the children of nobility to marry only with their equals; but as my daughter’s content is more dear to me than an ancient custom, I would bestow you on the first man I thought calculated to make you happy: by this I do not mean to say that I should not be severely nice in the character of the man to whom I gave you; and Mr. Anhalt, from his obligations to me, and his high sense of honour, thinks too nobly— AMELIA. Would it not be noble to make the daughter of his benefactor happy? BARON. But when that daughter is a child, and thinks like a child—— AMELIA. No, indeed, papa, I begin to think very like a woman. Ask _him_ if I don’t. BARON. Ask him! You feel gratitude for the instructions you have received from him, and fancy it love. AMELIA. Are there two gratitudes? BARON. What do you mean? AMELIA. Because I feel gratitude to you; but that is very unlike the gratitude I feel towards him. BARON. Indeed!