human
Well, Flory, well?--glad to see you--quite blooming, I declare,--never saw you with such a colour--monstrous like me, certainly. We always had fine complexions and fine eyes in our family. But I'm rather late--first bell rung--we /ci-devant jeunes hommes/ are rather long dressing, and you are not dressed yet, I see.
gpt
My dearest father, I wished to speak with you on a matter of much importance.
human
Do you?--what, immediately?
gpt
Yes.
human
Well--what is it?--your Slingsby property, I suppose.
gpt
No, my dear father--pray sit down and hear me patiently.
human
You have always been very indulgent to me, commenced Florence, with a half smile,
gpt
A what!
human
In other words, I am about to--to--well, the truth must out--to marry.
gpt
Has the Duke of ------ been here to-day?
human
Not that I know of. But it is no duke to whom I have promised my hand--it is a nobler and rarer dignity that has caught my ambition. Mr. Maltravers has--
gpt
Mr. Maltravers!--Mr. Devil!--the girl's mad!--don't talk to me, child, I won't consent to any such nonsense. A country gentleman--very respectable, very clever, and all that, but it's no use talking--my mind's made up. With your fortune, too!
human
My dear father, I will not marry without your consent, though my fortune is settled on me, and I am of age.
gpt
There's a good child--and now let me dress--we shall be late.
human
No, not yet, said Lady Florence, throwing her arm carelessly round her father's neck--
gpt
I shall marry Mr. Maltravers, but it will be with your full approval. Just consider, if I married the Duke of ------, he would expect all my fortune, such as it is. Ten thousand a year is at my disposal; if I marry Mr. Maltravers, it will be settled on you--I always meant it--it is a poor return for your kindness, your indulgence--but it will show that your own Flory is not ungrateful.
human
I won't hear.
gpt
Stop--listen to reason. You are not rich--you are entitled but to a small pension if you ever resign office, and your official salary, I have often heard you say, does not prevent you from being embarrassed. To whom should a daughter give from her superfluities but to a parent?--from whom should a parent receive, but from a child, who can never repay his love?--Ah, this is nothing; but you--you who have never crossed her lightest whim--do not you destroy all the hopes of happiness your Florence can ever form.