The Way of the World: Scene VI.
Scene VI.
FAINALL, LADY WISHFORT, MRS. MARWOOD.
LADY WISHFORT
Ay, ay, I do not doubt it, dear Marwood. No, no, I do not
doubt it.
FAINALL
Well, madam, I have suffered myself to be overcome by the
importunity of this lady, your friend, and am content you shall
enjoy your own proper estate during life, on condition you oblige
yourself never to marry, under such penalty as I think convenient.
LADY WISHFORT
Never to marry?
FAINALL
No more Sir Rowlands,--the next imposture may not be so
timely detected.
MRS. MARWOOD
That condition, I dare answer, my lady will consent to,
without difficulty; she has already but too much experienced the
perfidiousness of men. Besides, madam, when we retire to our
pastoral solitude, we shall bid adieu to all other thoughts.
LADY WISHFORT
Ay, that's true; but in case of necessity, as of health, or
some such emergency -
FAINALL
Oh, if you are prescribed marriage, you shall be considered;
I will only reserve to myself the power to choose for you. If your
physic be wholesome, it matters not who is your apothecary. Next,
my wife shall settle on me the remainder of her fortune, not made
over already; and for her maintenance depend entirely on my
discretion.
LADY WISHFORT
This is most inhumanly savage: exceeding the barbarity of a
Muscovite husband.
FAINALL
I learned it from his Czarish Majesty's retinue, in a winter
evening's conference over brandy and pepper, amongst other secrets
of matrimony and policy, as they are at present practised in the
northern hemisphere. But this must be agreed unto, and that
positively. Lastly, I will be endowed, in right of my wife, with
that six thousand pound, which is the moiety of Mrs. Millamant's
fortune in your possession, and which she has forfeited (as will
appear by the last will and testament of your deceased husband, Sir
Jonathan Wishfort) by her disobedience in contracting herself
against your consent or knowledge, and by refusing the offered match
with Sir Wilfull Witwoud, which you, like a careful aunt, had
provided for her.
LADY WISHFORT
My nephew was NON COMPOS, and could not make his addresses.
FAINALL
I come to make demands--I'll hear no objections.
LADY WISHFORT
You will grant me time to consider?
FAINALL
Yes, while the instrument is drawing, to which you must set
your hand till more sufficient deeds can be perfected: which I will
take care shall be done with all possible speed. In the meanwhile I
will go for the said instrument, and till my return you may balance
this matter in your own discretion.