Mrs. MALAPROP O' my conscience, I believe so!--What do you mean by Beverley, hussy?--You saw Captain Absolute before to-day; there he is--your husband that shall be. LYDIA With all my soul, ma'am--when I refuse my Beverley---- Sir ANTHONY 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? ABSOLUTE Faith, sir, I am not quite clear myself; but I'll endeavour to recollect. Sir ANTHONY Are you my son or not?--answer for your mother, you dog, if you won't for me. Mrs. MALAPROP Ay, sir, who are you? O mercy! I begin to suspect!---- ABSOLUTE [Aside.] Ye powers of impudence, befriend me!--[Aloud.] Sir Anthony, most assuredly I am your wife's son: and that I sincerely believe myself to be yours also, I hope my duty has always shown.--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 station, which has proved a test of the most disinterested love, which he now hopes to enjoy in a more elevated character. LYDIA [Sullenly.] So!--there will be no elopement after all! Sir ANTHONY 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! ABSOLUTE Oh, you flatter me, sir--you compliment--'tis my modesty, you know, sir,--my modesty that has stood in my way. Sir ANTHONY Well, I am glad you are not the dull, insensible varlet you pretended 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!_--I thought it was damned sudden!--_You never heard their names before_, not you!--_what, the Languishes of Worcestershire_, hey?--_if you could please me in the affair it was all you desired!_--Ah! you dissembling villain!--What!--[Pointing to Lydia] _She squints, don't she?--a little red-haired girl!_--hey?--Why, you hypocritical young rascal!--I wonder you ain't ashamed to hold up your head! ABSOLUTE 'Tis with difficulty, sir.--I am confused--very much confused, as you must perceive. Mrs. MALAPROP O Lud! Sir Anthony!--a new light breaks in upon me!--hey!--how! what! captain, did you write the letters then?--What--am I to thank you for the elegant compilation of _an old weather-beaten she-dragon_--hey!--O mercy!--was it you that reflected on my parts of speech? ABSOLUTE Dear sir! my modesty will be overpowered at last, if you don't assist me--I shall certainly not be able to stand it! Sir ANTHONY Come, come, Mrs. Malaprop, we must forget and forgive;--odds life! matters have taken so clever a turn all of a sudden, that I could find in my heart to be so good-humoured! and so gallant! hey! Mrs. Malaprop!