CAPT. A. [_draws near_ LYDIA]. [_Aside_.] Now heaven send she may be too sullen to look round! I must disguise my voice.--Will not Miss Languish lend an ear to the mild accents of true love? Will not-- SIR A. Why don't you speak out?--not stand croaking like a frog in a quinsey! CAPT. A. The--the--excess of my awe, and my--my modesty quite choke me! SIR A. Ah! your modesty again! Mrs. Malaprop, I wish the lady would favor us with something more than a side-front. [MRS. MALAPROP _seems to chide_ LYDIA. CAPT. A. So! all will out, I see! [_Goes up to_ LYDIA, _speaks softly_.] Be not surprised, my Lydia, suppress all surprise at present. LYD. [_aside_]. Heavens! 'tis Beverley's voice!--[_Looks round by degrees, then starts up_.] Is this possible!--my Beverley! how can this be?--my Beverley! CAPT. A. Ah! 'tis all over! [_Aside._ SIR A. Beverley!--the devil--Beverley! What can the girl mean? This is my son, Jack Absolute. MRS. M. For shame! for shame!--your head runs so on that fellow, that you have him always in your eyes! beg Captain Absolute's pardon, directly. LYD. I see no Captain Absolute, but my loved Beverley! SIR A. Zounds, the girl's mad!--her brain's turned by reading! MRS. M. O' my conscience, I believe so!--what do you mean by Beverley?--you saw Captain Absolute before to-day, there he is: your husband that shall be. LYD. With all my soul, ma'am--when I refuse my Beverley-- SIR A. Oh! she's as mad as Bedlam!--or has this fellow been playing us a rogue's trick? Come here, sirrah, who the devil are you? CAPT. A. 'Faith, sir, I am not quite clear myself; but I'll endeavor to recollect. SIR A. Are you my son, or not?--answer for your mother, you dog, if you won't for me. CAPT. A. Ye powers of impudence, befriend me!--[_Aside._]--Sir Anthony, most assuredly I am your wife's son; Mrs. Malaprop, I am your most respectful admirer, and shall be proud to add affectionate nephew. I need not tell my Lydia that she sees her faithful Beverley, who, knowing the singular generosity of her temper, assumed that name, and a station, which has proved a test of the most disinterested love, which he now hopes to enjoy, in a more elevated character. LYD. So!--there will be no elopement after all! SIR A. Upon my soul, Jack, thou art a very impudent fellow! To do you justice, I think I never saw a piece of more consummate assurance! Well, I am glad you are not the dull insensible varlet you pretend to be, however! I'm glad you have made a fool of your father, you dog--I am. So, this was your penitence, your duty, and obedience! Ah! you dissembling villain! Come, we must leave them together, Mrs. Malaprop; they long to fly into each other's arms. I warrant! Come, Mrs. Malaprop, we'll not disturb their tenderness; theirs is the time of life for happiness! [_Sings_.] _Youth's the season made for joy_--hey! odds life! I'm in such spirits! Permit me, ma'am.