Mrs. MALAPROP Why, thou barbarous Vandyke--those letters are mine--When you are more sensible of my benignity--perhaps I may be brought to encourage your addresses. Sir LUCIUS Mrs. Malaprop, I am extremely sensible of your condescension; and whether you or Lucy have put this trick on me, I am equally beholden to you.--And, to show you I am not ungrateful, Captain Absolute, since you have taken that lady from me, I'll give you my Delia into the bargain. ABSOLUTE I am much obliged to you, Sir Lucius; but here's my friend, Fighting Bob, unprovided for. Sir LUCIUS Hah! little Valour--here, will you make your fortune? ACRES Odds wrinkles! No.--But give me your hand, Sir Lucius, forget and forgive; but if ever I give you a chance of pickling me again, say Bob Acres is a dunce, that's all. Sir ANTHONY Come, Mrs. Malaprop, don't be cast down--you are in your bloom yet. Mrs. MALAPROP O Sir Anthony--men are all barbarians. [All retire but JULIA and FAULKLAND.] JULIA [Aside.] He seems dejected and unhappy--not sullen; there was some foundation, however, for the tale he told me--O woman! how true should be your judgment, when your resolution is so weak! FAULKLAND Julia!--how can I sue for what I so little deserve? I dare not presume--yet Hope is the child of Penitence. JULIA Oh! Faulkland, you have not been more faulty in your unkind treatment of me, than I am now in wanting inclination to resent it. As my heart honestly bids me place my weakness to the account of love, I should be ungenerous not to admit the same plea for yours. FAULKLAND Now I shall be blest indeed! Sir ANTHONY [Coming forward.] What's going on here?--So you have been quarrelling too, I warrant! Come, Julia, I never interfered before; but let me have a hand in the matter at last.--All the faults I have ever seen in my friend Faulkland seemed to proceed from what he calls the delicacy and warmth of his affection for you--There, marry him directly, Julia; you'll find he'll mend surprisingly! [The rest come forward.] Sir LUCIUS Come, now, I hope there is no dissatisfied person, but what is content; for as I have been disappointed myself, it will be very hard if I have not the satisfaction of seeing other people succeed better. ACRES You are right, Sir Lucius.--So Jack, I wish you joy--Mr. Faulkland the same.--Ladies,--come now, to show you I'm neither vexed nor angry, odds tabors and pipes! I'll order the fiddles in half an hour to the New Rooms--and I insist on your all meeting me there. Sir ANTHONY 'Gad! sir, I like your spirit; and at night we single lads will drink a health to the young couples, and a husband to Mrs. Malaprop.