Mrs. MALAPROP Well, Sir Anthony, since you desire it, we will not anticipate the past!--so mind, young people--our retrospection will be all to the future. Sir ANTHONY Come, we must leave them together; Mrs. Malaprop, they long to fly into each other's arms, I warrant!--Jack--isn't the cheek as I said, hey?-- and the eye, you rogue!--and the lip--hey? Come, Mrs. Malaprop, we'll not disturb their tenderness--theirs is the time of life for happiness!--_Youth's the season made for joy_--[Sings.]--hey!--Odds life! I'm in such spirits,--I don't know what I could not do!--Permit me, ma'am--[Gives his hand to Mrs. MALAPROP.] Tol-de-rol--'gad, I should like to have a little fooling myself--Tol-de-rol! de-rol. [Exit, singing and handing Mrs. MALAPROP.--LYDIA sits sullenly in her chair.] ABSOLUTE [Aside.] So much thought bodes me no good.--[Aloud.] So grave, Lydia! LYDIA Sir! ABSOLUTE [Aside.] So!--egad! I thought as much!--that damned monosyllable has froze me!--[Aloud.] What, Lydia, now that we are as happy in our friends' consent, as in our mutual vows---- LYDIA [Peevishly.] Friends' consent indeed! ABSOLUTE Come, come, we must lay aside some of our romance--a little wealth and comfort may be endured after all. And for your fortune, the lawyers shall make such settlements as---- LYDIA Lawyers! I hate lawyers! ABSOLUTE Nay, then, we will not wait for their lingering forms, but instantly procure the licence, and---- LYDIA The licence!--I hate licence! ABSOLUTE Oh my love! be not so unkind!--thus let me entreat---- [Kneeling.] LYDIA Psha!--what signifies kneeling, when you know I must have you? ABSOLUTE [Rising.] Nay, madam, there shall be no constraint upon your inclinations, I promise you.--If I have lost your heart--I resign the rest--[Aside.] 'Gad, I must try what a little spirit will do. LYDIA [Rising.] Then, sir, let me tell you, the interest you had there was acquired by a mean, unmanly imposition, and deserves the punishment of fraud.--What, you have been treating me like a child!--humouring my romance! and laughing, I suppose, at your success! ABSOLUTE You wrong me, Lydia, you wrong me--only hear---- LYDIA So, while I fondly imagined we were deceiving my relations, and flattered myself that I should outwit and incense them all--behold my hopes are to be crushed at once, by my aunt's consent and approbation--and I am myself the only dupe at last!--[Walking about in a heat.] But here, sir, here is the picture--Beverley's picture! [taking a miniature from her bosom] which I have worn, night and day, in spite of threats and entreaties!--There, sir [Flings it to him.]; and be assured I throw the original from my heart as easily.