Why manipulate, if it weren't for love of you?
Desmond
If she's done it from love of me, it's an inexcusable folly.
Countess
A less excusable folly is the speed with which she took to mourning
yesterday. (to Maid) Miss, tell me how she has been able to find so
much crepe in the country?
Maid
I heard this morning from Lucy, that she's always kept a mourning
outfit hidden in her trunk, so as always to be well prepared for the
unexpected death of her husband. She says every well-ordered wife
ought to do the same, so she can celebrate her misfortune from the
very first moment of widowhood.
Countess
And you don't want me to ridicule such an affectation? There, Desmond!
Go, put on mourning, too--to prove that your uncle is dead.
Arabella
I am also going to put on black, to make it all more touching.
(Exit Arabella and Desmond.)
Countess
Miss, you will have to sing a little aria in the opera that Mr.
Tuneless is preparing for me. It's right that my servants contribute
to my amusements today.
Maid
I wish your Scotsman were here. He sings well. His wife is also a good
singer and dances well for a highlander.
Countess
Here she is now. What does she wish to tell me?
(Enter Mrs.
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