plays [45]
know yourself
she's not a virtuous girl.
FENWICK. What do you know of virtue, whose whole boast is to be
vicious? How dare you draw conclusions? Dolt and puppy! you can
no more comprehend that angel's excellencies than she can stoop
to believe in your vices. And you talk morality? Anthony, I'm a
man who has been somewhat roughly tried: take care.
ANTHONY. You don't seem able to grasp the situation, Jack. It's
very remarkable; I'm the girl's natural protector; and you should
buckle-to and help, like a friend of the family. And instead of
that, begad! you turn on me like all the rest.
FENWICK. Now mark me fairly: Mr. Austin follows at my heels; he
comes to offer marriage to your sister - that is all you know,
and all you shall know; and if by any misplaced insolence of
yours this marriage should miscarry, you have to answer, not to
Mr. Austin only, but to me.
ANTHONY. It's all a most discreditable business, and I don't see
how you propose to better it by cutting my throat. Of course if
he's going to marry her, it's a different thing; but I don't
believe he is, or he'd have asked me. You think me a fool? Well
see they marry, or they'll find me a dangerous fool.
SCENE VI
TO THESE, AUSTIN, BARBARA ANNOUNCING
BARBARA. Mr. Austin. (SHE SHOWS AUSTIN IN, AND RETIRES.)
AUSTIN. You will do me the justice to acknowledge, Mr. Fenwick,
that I have been not long delayed by my devotion to the Graces.
ANTHONY. So, sir, I find you in my house -
AUSTIN. And charmed to meet you again. It went against my
conscience to separate so soon. Youth, Mr. Musgrave, is to us
older men a perpetual refreshment.
ANTHONY. You came here, sir, I suppose, upon some errand?
AUSTIN. My errand, Mr. Musgrave, is to your fair sister.
Beauty, as you know, comes before valour.
ANTHONY. In my own house, and about my own sister, I presume I
have the right to ask for something more explicit.
AUSTIN. The right, my dear sir, is beyond question; but it is
one, as you were going on to observe, on which no gentleman
insists.
FENWICK. Anthony, my good fellow, I think we had better go.
ANTHONY. I have asked a question.
AUSTIN. Which I was charmed to answer, but which, on repetition,
might begin to grow distasteful.
ANTHONY. In my own house -
FENWICK. For God's sake, Anthony!
AUSTIN. In your aunt's house, young gentleman, I shall be
careful to refrain from criticism. I am come upon a visit to a
lady: that visit I shall pay; when you desire (if it be possible
that you desire it) to resume this singular conversation, select
some fitter place. Mr. Fenwick, this afternoon, may I present
you to his Royal Highness?
ANTHONY. Why, sir, I believe you must have misconceived me. I
have no wish to offend: at least at present.
AUSTIN. Enough, sir. I was persuaded I had heard amiss. I
trust we shall be friends.
FENWICK. Come, Anthony, come: here is your sister.
(AS FENWICK AND ANTHONY GO OUT, C., ENTER DOROTHY, L.)
SCENE VII
AUSTIN, DOROTHY
DOROTHY. I am told, Mr. Austin, that you wish to see me.
AUSTIN. Madam, can you doubt of that desire? can you question my
sincerity?
DOROTHY. Sir, between you and me these compliments are worse
than idle: they are unkind. Sure, we are alone!
AUSTIN. I find you in an hour of cruelty, I fear. Yet you have
condescended to receive this poor offender; and having done so
much, you will not refuse to give him audience.
DOROTHY. You shall have no cause, sir, to complain of me. I
listen.
AUSTIN. My fair friend, I have sent myself - a poor ambassador -
to plead for your forgiveness. I have been too long absent; too
long, I would fain hope, madam, for you; too long for my honour
and my love. I am no longer, madam, in my first youth; but I may
say that I am not unknown. My fortune, originally small, has not
suffered from my husbandry. I have excellent health, an
excellent temper, and the purest ardour of affection for your
person. I found not on my merits,
she's not a virtuous girl.
FENWICK. What do you know of virtue, whose whole boast is to be
vicious? How dare you draw conclusions? Dolt and puppy! you can
no more comprehend that angel's excellencies than she can stoop
to believe in your vices. And you talk morality? Anthony, I'm a
man who has been somewhat roughly tried: take care.
ANTHONY. You don't seem able to grasp the situation, Jack. It's
very remarkable; I'm the girl's natural protector; and you should
buckle-to and help, like a friend of the family. And instead of
that, begad! you turn on me like all the rest.
FENWICK. Now mark me fairly: Mr. Austin follows at my heels; he
comes to offer marriage to your sister - that is all you know,
and all you shall know; and if by any misplaced insolence of
yours this marriage should miscarry, you have to answer, not to
Mr. Austin only, but to me.
ANTHONY. It's all a most discreditable business, and I don't see
how you propose to better it by cutting my throat. Of course if
he's going to marry her, it's a different thing; but I don't
believe he is, or he'd have asked me. You think me a fool? Well
see they marry, or they'll find me a dangerous fool.
SCENE VI
TO THESE, AUSTIN, BARBARA ANNOUNCING
BARBARA. Mr. Austin. (SHE SHOWS AUSTIN IN, AND RETIRES.)
AUSTIN. You will do me the justice to acknowledge, Mr. Fenwick,
that I have been not long delayed by my devotion to the Graces.
ANTHONY. So, sir, I find you in my house -
AUSTIN. And charmed to meet you again. It went against my
conscience to separate so soon. Youth, Mr. Musgrave, is to us
older men a perpetual refreshment.
ANTHONY. You came here, sir, I suppose, upon some errand?
AUSTIN. My errand, Mr. Musgrave, is to your fair sister.
Beauty, as you know, comes before valour.
ANTHONY. In my own house, and about my own sister, I presume I
have the right to ask for something more explicit.
AUSTIN. The right, my dear sir, is beyond question; but it is
one, as you were going on to observe, on which no gentleman
insists.
FENWICK. Anthony, my good fellow, I think we had better go.
ANTHONY. I have asked a question.
AUSTIN. Which I was charmed to answer, but which, on repetition,
might begin to grow distasteful.
ANTHONY. In my own house -
FENWICK. For God's sake, Anthony!
AUSTIN. In your aunt's house, young gentleman, I shall be
careful to refrain from criticism. I am come upon a visit to a
lady: that visit I shall pay; when you desire (if it be possible
that you desire it) to resume this singular conversation, select
some fitter place. Mr. Fenwick, this afternoon, may I present
you to his Royal Highness?
ANTHONY. Why, sir, I believe you must have misconceived me. I
have no wish to offend: at least at present.
AUSTIN. Enough, sir. I was persuaded I had heard amiss. I
trust we shall be friends.
FENWICK. Come, Anthony, come: here is your sister.
(AS FENWICK AND ANTHONY GO OUT, C., ENTER DOROTHY, L.)
SCENE VII
AUSTIN, DOROTHY
DOROTHY. I am told, Mr. Austin, that you wish to see me.
AUSTIN. Madam, can you doubt of that desire? can you question my
sincerity?
DOROTHY. Sir, between you and me these compliments are worse
than idle: they are unkind. Sure, we are alone!
AUSTIN. I find you in an hour of cruelty, I fear. Yet you have
condescended to receive this poor offender; and having done so
much, you will not refuse to give him audience.
DOROTHY. You shall have no cause, sir, to complain of me. I
listen.
AUSTIN. My fair friend, I have sent myself - a poor ambassador -
to plead for your forgiveness. I have been too long absent; too
long, I would fain hope, madam, for you; too long for my honour
and my love. I am no longer, madam, in my first youth; but I may
say that I am not unknown. My fortune, originally small, has not
suffered from my husbandry. I have excellent health, an
excellent temper, and the purest ardour of affection for your
person. I found not on my merits,