Why, don't you understand--you're to be the Countess of
Hawcastle, aren't you?
ALMERIC. Why--hasn't he told you?--the only obstacle on earth between us
was this fellow's consent to the settlement, and he's just given it.
ETHEL [dazed and angry]. Do you mean to say he's consented to that!
ALMERIC. Why, to be sure--he's just consented with his own lips--didn't
you?
PIKE [gravely]. I did.
LADY CREECH. Don't you see, don't you hear that--he's consented? He
didn't mumble his words--don't you hear him?
ETHEL. I do, and disbelieve my own ears. Yesterday, when I wanted
something I thought of value--and that was a name--he refused to let me
buy it--to-day, when I know that that name is less than nothing, worse
than nothing--he bids me give my fortune for it. What manner of man is
this! And _you_ [to LADY CREECH and ALMERIC], what are you that after
last night you come to me and ask a settlement?
LADY CREECH [angrily]. Certainly we do--would you expect to enter a
family like this and bring nothing?
ALMERIC. _I_ can't see that the situation has changed since yesterday. I
don't stick out for the precise amount the Governor said. If it ought to
be less on account of that little affair last night--why, we should be
the last people in the world to haggle over a few thousand pounds--
ETHEL [with a cry of rage and relief].
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