The School For Scandal [8]
SIR PETER. Aye and what is very extraordinary in all our disputes
she is always in the wrong! But Lady Sneerwell, and the Set she meets
at her House, encourage the perverseness of her Disposition--then
to complete my vexations--Maria--my Ward--whom I ought to have
the Power of a Father over, is determined to turn Rebel too and
absolutely refuses the man whom I have long resolved on for her
husband--meaning I suppose, to bestow herself on his profligate
Brother.
ROWLEY. You know Sir Peter I have always taken the Liberty to differ
with you on the subject of these two young Gentlemen--I only wish
you may not be deceived in your opinion of the elder. For Charles,
my life on't! He will retrieve his errors yet--their worthy Father,
once my honour'd master, was at his years nearly as wild a spark.
SIR PETER. You are wrong, Master Rowley--on their Father's Death
you know I acted as a kind of Guardian to them both--till their uncle
Sir Oliver's Eastern Bounty gave them an early independence. Of
course no person could have more opportunities of judging of their
Hearts--and I was never mistaken in my life. Joseph is indeed a model
for the young men of the Age--He is a man of Sentiment--and acts up
to the Sentiments he professes--but for the other[,] take my word
for't [if] he had any grain of Virtue by descent--he has dissipated it
with the rest of his inheritance. Ah! my old Friend, Sir Oliver will
be deeply mortified when he finds how Part of his Bounty has been
misapplied.
ROWLEY. I am sorry to find you so violent against the young man
because this may be the most critical Period of his Fortune.
I came hither with news that will surprise you.
SIR PETER. What! let me hear--
ROWLEY. Sir Oliver is arrived and at this moment in Town.
SIR PETER. How!--you astonish me--I thought you did not expect him
this month!--
ROWLEY. I did not--but his Passage has been remarkably quick.
SIR PETER. Egad I shall rejoice to see my old Friend--'Tis sixteen
years since we met--We have had many a Day together--but does he still
enjoin us not to inform his Nephews of his Arrival?
ROWLEY. Most strictly--He means, before He makes it known to make
some trial of their Dispositions and we have already planned something
for the purpose.
SIR PETER. Ah there needs no art to discover their merits--however
he shall have his way--but pray does he know I am married!
ROWLEY. Yes and will soon wish you joy.
SIR PETER. You may tell him 'tis too late--ah Oliver will laugh
at me--we used to rail at matrimony together--but He has been steady
to his Text--well He must be at my house tho'--I'll instantly give
orders for his Reception--but Master Rowley--don't drop a word that
Lady Teazle and I ever disagree.
ROWLEY. By no means.
SIR PETER. For I should never be able to stand Noll's jokes; so I'd
have him think that we are a very happy couple.
ROWLEY. I understand you--but then you must be very careful not
to differ while He's in the House with you.
SIR PETER. Egad--and so we must--that's impossible. Ah! Master
Rowley when an old Batchelor marries a young wife--He deserves--
no the crime carries the Punishment along with it.
[Exeunt.]
END OF THE FIRST ACT
ACT II
SCENE I.--SIR PETER and LADY TEAZLE
SIR PETER. Lady Teazle--Lady Teazle I'll not bear it.
LADY TEAZLE. Sir Peter--Sir Peter you--may scold or smile, according
to your Humour[,] but I ought to have my own way in everything,
and what's more I will too--what! tho' I was educated in the country
I know very well that women of Fashion in London are accountable
to nobody after they are married.
SIR PETER. Very well! ma'am very well! so a husband is to have
no influence, no authority?
LADY TEAZLE. Authority! no, to be sure--if you wanted authority
over me, you should have adopted me and not married me[:] I am sure
you were old enough.
SIR PETER. Old enough--aye there it is--well--well--Lady Teazle,
tho' my life may be made unhappy by your Temper--I'll