DW. My lovely, my beautiful, my adored Clementina! I have called upon
Mr Gumarabic, who tells me that your uncle cannot live through the
twenty-four hours, and I have flown here, my sweetest, dearest, to--to--

CLEM. To see me, Edward: surely there needs no excuse for coming?

EDW. To reiterate my ardent, pure, and unchangeable affection, my
dearest Clementina to assure you, that in sickness or in health, for
richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, as they say in the
marriage ceremony, I am yours till death us do part.

CLEM. I accept the vow, dearest Edward. You know too well my heart for
me to say more.

EDW. I do know your heart, Clementina, as it is,--nor do I think it
possible that you could change;--still, sometimes--that is for a moment
when I call to mind that, by your uncle's death, as his favourite niece,
living with him for so many years, you may soon find yourself in
possession of thousands,--and that titled men may lay their coronets at
your feet,--then, Clementina--

CLEM. Ungenerous and unkind!--Edward, I almost hate you. Is a little
money, then, to sway my affections? Shame, Edward, shame on you! Is
such your opinion of my constancy? (_Weeps_.) You must judge me by
your own heart.

EDW. Clementina! dearest Clementina!--I did!--but rather--that is,--I
was not in earnest;--but when we value any object as I value you,--it
may be forgiven, if I feel at times a little jealous;--yes, dearest,
jealous!

CLEM. 'Twas jealousy then, Edward, which made you so unkind? Well,
then, I can forgive that.

EDW. Nothing but jealousy, dearest! I cannot help, at times,
representing you surrounded by noble admirers,--all of them suing to
you,--not for yourself, but for your money, tempting you with their
rank;--and it makes me jealous, horribly jealous! I cannot compete with
lords, Clementina,--a poor barrister without a brief.

CLEM. I have loved you for yourself, Edward. I trust you have done the
same toward me.

EDW. Yes; upon my soul, my Clementina!

CLEM. Then my uncle's disposition of his property will make no
difference in me. For your sake, my dear Edward, I hope he will not
forget me. What's that? Mrs Jellybags is coming out of the room.
Haste, Edward;--you must not be seen here. Away, dearest!--and may God
bless you.

EDW. (_kisses her hand_.) Heaven preserve my adored, my matchless,
ever-to-be-loved Clementina.

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