they continue
to sin under my very nose.

_Isaac._ Efecks, fasher, I should have guessed as much for your
nose seems to be put to the blush more than any other part of your
face.

Don Jerome's song is worthy of Gay:--

"If a daughter you have she's the plague of your life
No peace shall you know though you've buried your wife,
At twenty she mocks at the duty you taught her,
Oh! what a plague is an obstinate daughter!
Sighing and whining,
Dying and pining,
Oh, what a plague is an obstinate daughter!

"When scarce in their teens they have wit to perplex us,
With letters and lovers for ever they vex us:
While each still rejects the fair suitor you've brought her;
O! what a plague is an obstinate daughter!
Wrangling and jangling,
Flouting and pouting,
Oh, what a plague is an obstinate daughter."

One of Sheridan's strong situations is produced in this play. Don Jerome
gives Isaac a glowing description of his daughter's charms; but when the
latter goes to see her, the Duenna personates her.

_Isaac._ Madam, the greatness of your goodness overpowers me, that
a lady so lovely should deign to turn her beauteous eyes on me, so.
(_He turns and sees her._)

_Duenna._ You seem surprised at my condescension.

_Isaac._ Why yes, madam, I am a little surprised at it. (_Aside_)
This can never be Louisa--She's as old as my mother!...

_Duenna._ Signor, won't you sit?

_Isaac._ Pardon me, Madam, I have scarcely recovered my
astonishment at--your condescension, Madam. (_Aside_) She has the
devil's own dimples to be sure.

_Duenna._ I do not wonder, Sir, that you are surprised at my
affability. I own, Signor, that I was vastly prepossessed against
you, and being teazed by my father, did give some encouragement to
Antonio; but then, Sir, you were described to me as a quite
different person.

_Isaac._ Ay, and so you were to me upon my soul, Madam.

_Duenna._ But when I saw you, I was never more struck in my life.

_Isaac._ That was just my case too, Madam; I was struck all in a
heap for my part.

_Duenna._ Well, Sir, I see our misapprehension has been mutual--you
have expected to find me haughty and averse, and I was taught to
believe you a little black, snub-nosed fellow, without person,
manner, or address.