Townly: It's true that I've come to speak to you.
Mrs. Townly: To speak to me without reason, without sense, that Mr. Nelson wouldn't be good for my daughter.
Mrs. Townly: No, sir. Richly presents nothing worthy of my consideration.
Mrs. Townly: >From today, I give my daughter to Mr. Nelson.
Mrs. Townly: The reason is that I wish it. And to prove that I am right it's going to happen as I wish and immediately. Mr. Nelson is here. Get ready to sign the papers.
(Exit Mrs. Townly to the house, and after a moment enter Lucas)
Lucas: Like an expert this time. She is going to do what we want willingly and for the first time in her life.
Lucas: I'll go see. And when I see her, I am going to tell her I like Richly better. To add a little fuel to the fire.
Townly: We've done wonderfully, daughter.
Angelica: I've heard. I was under the swing with the lawyer--he's just come. It's time and he's on schedule.
Townly: I am going to speak to him. Go quickly and rejoin your mother.
Angelica: Things are at the point where I wish them. And the measures I have taken will succeed. Watch and see what happens.
(Exit Angelica; after a moment enter Mrs. Townly and a Lackey)
Mrs. Townly: Tell me child, where did you get this letter from? Who is your master?
Lackey: I am forbidden to tell you that--and to prevent you from forcing it out of me, I am leaving right away.
(Reading low) Hmm, hmm, hmm. "I advise you that your daughter is in communication with Mr. Nelson and wants to marry him and to make you sign the wedding contract, they have a lawyer ready who will appear as if by chance." Indeed, that's the lawyer I just saw with Angelica. The warning is obviously true. "In a word your husband pretended not to want Nelson so you would prefer him." So! Mr. Nelson is the choice of my husband.
Lucas: Courage, sir. Tell her quickly that I am against Mr. Nelson.
Lucas: (to Mrs. Townly) That I and your husband--
Townly: You say that you want Mr. Nelson for a son-in-law, right? I tell you that my daughter doesn't want him.
Mrs. Townly: It isn't my daughter's will or mine that ought to decide--it's yours my husband--and in this and in everything else, you are master.
Mrs. Townly: You're a good advisor, Lucas, and I willingly listen to your advice.