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 goodhumored now, and let me have two hundred pounds, will you? Sir Peter-Two hundred pounds! what, a'n't I to be in a good humor without paying for it? But speak to me thus, and i' faith there's nothing I could refuse you. You shall have it; but seal me a bond for the payment. my note of hand will do as [Offering her hand. Sir Peter And you shall no longer reproach me with not giving you an independent settlement. I mean shortly to surprise you; but shall we always live thus, hey? Lady Teazle-If you please. I'm sure I don't care how soon we leave off quarreling, provided you'll own you were tired first. Sir Peter- Well- then let our future contest be, who shall be most obliging. Lady Teazle-I assure you, Sir Peter, good-nature becomes you. You look now as you did before we were married, when you used to walk with me under the elms, and tell me stories of what a gallant you were in your youth; and chuck me under the chin, you would, and ask me if I thought I could love an old fellow who would deny me nothing-didn't you? Sir Peter - Yes, yes; and you were as kind and attentive — Lady Teazle-Ay, so I was; and would always take your part when my acquaintance used to abuse you, and turn you into ridicule. Sir Peter- Indeed! Lady Teazle-Ay, and when my cousin Sophy has called you a stiff, peevish old bachelor, and laughed at me for thinking of marrying one who might be my father, I have always defended you, and said I didn't think you so ugly by any means. Sir Peter-Thank you. Lady Teazle - And I dared say you'd make a very good sort of a husband. Sir Peter-And you prophesied right; and we shall now be the happiest couple — Lady Teazle-And never differ again? Sir Peter-No, never!- though at the same time, indeed, my dear Lady Teazle, you must watch your temper very seriously; for in all our little quarrels, my dear, if you recollect, my love, you always began first. XXIII-835 |