The School For Scandal [17]
MOSES. Very much--
ROWLEY. And lament that a young man now must be at years
of discretion before He is suffered to ruin himself!
MOSES. Aye, great Pity!
SIR PETER. And abuse the Public for allowing merit to an act
whose only object is to snatch misfortune and imprudence from
the rapacious Relief of usury! and give the minor a chance of
inheriting his estate without being undone by coming into Possession.
SIR OLIVER. So--so--Moses shall give me further instructions
as we go together.
SIR PETER. You will not have much time[,] for your Nephew lives
hard bye--
SIR OLIVER. Oh Never--fear[:] my Tutor appears so able that tho'
Charles lived in the next street it must be my own Fault if I am
not a compleat Rogue before I turn the Corner--
[Exeunt SIR OLIVER and MOSES.]
SIR PETER. So--now I think Sir Oliver will be convinced--you shan't
follow them Rowley. You are partial and would have prepared Charles
for 'tother plot.
ROWLEY. No upon my word Sir Peter--
SIR PETER. Well, go bring me this Snake, and I'll hear what he has
to say presently. I see Maria, and want to speak with her.--
[Exit ROWLEY.]
I should be glad to be convinced my suspicions of Lady Teazle and
Charles were unjust--I have never yet opened my mind on this subject
to my Friend Joseph. . . . I am determined. I will do it--He will
give me his opinion sincerely.--
Enter MARIA
So Child--has Mr. Surface returned with you--
MARIA. No Sir--He was engaged.
SIR PETER. Well--Maria--do you not reflect[,] the more you converse
with that amiable young man[,] what return his Partiality for you
deserves?
MARIA. Indeed Sir Peter--your frequent importunity on this subject
distresses me extremely--you compell me to Declare that I know no man
who has ever paid me a particular Attention whom I would not prefer
to Mr. Surface--
SIR PETER. Soh! Here's Perverseness--no--no--Maria, 'tis Charles
only whom you would prefer--'tis evident his Vices and Follies have
won your Heart.
MARIA. This is unkind Sir--You know I have obey'd you in neither
seeing nor corresponding with him--I have heard enough to convince
me that He is unworthy my regard--Yet I cannot think it culpable--
if while my understanding severely condemns his Vices, my Heart
suggests some Pity for his Distresses.
SIR PETER. Well well pity him as much as you please, but give your
Heart and Hand to a worthier object.
MARIA. Never to his Brother!
SIR PETER. Go--perverse and obstinate! but take care, Madam--
you have never yet known what the authority of a Guardian is--
don't compel me to inform you of it.--
MARIA. I can only say, you shall not have just Reason--'tis true,
by my Father's will I am for a short period bound to regard you
as his substitute, but I must cease to think you so when you would
compel me to be miserable.
[Exit.]
SIR PETER. Was ever man so crossed as I am[?] everything conspiring
to fret me! I had not been involved in matrimony a fortnight[,]
before her Father--a hale and hearty man, died on purpose, I believe--
for the Pleasure of plaguing me with the care of his Daughter . . .
but here comes my Helpmate!--She appears in great good humour----
how happy I should be if I could teaze her into loving me tho'
but a little----
Enter LADY TEAZLE
LADY TEAZLE. Lud! Sir Peter I hope you haven't been quarrelling with
Maria? It isn't using me well to be ill humour'd when I am not bye--!
SIR PETER. Ah! Lady Teazle you might have the Power to make me
good humour'd at all times--
LADY TEAZLE. I am sure--I wish I had--for I want you to be in a
charming sweet temper at this moment--do be good humour'd now--
and let me have two hundred Pounds will you?
SIR PETER. Two hundred Pounds! what an't I to be in a good humour
without paying for it--but speak to me thus--and Efaith there's
nothing I could refuse you. You shall have it--but seal me a bond
for the repayment.
LADY TEAZLE. O no--there--my Note of Hand will do as well--
SIR PETER. And