MISS P.--My dear, kind Captain Touchit knows it all. It was by his
counsel I acted. He it was who relieved our distress. Ask him whether my
conduct was not honorable--ask him whether my life was not devoted to my
parents--ask him when--when I am gone.
MILLIKEN.--When you are gone, Julia! Why are you going? Why should you
go, my love--that is--why need you go, in the devil's name?
MISS P.--Because, when your mother--when your mother-in-law come to hear
that your children's governess has been a dancer on the stage, they will
send me away, and you will not have the power to resist them. They ought
to send me away, sir; but I have acted honestly by the children and
their poor mother, and you'll think of me kindly when--I--am--gone?
MILLIKEN.--Julia, my dearest--dear--noble--dar--the devil! here's old
Kicklebury.
Enter Lady K., Children, and CLARENCE.
LADY K.--So, Miss Prior! this is what I hear, is it? A dancer in my
house! a serpent in my bosom--poisoning--yes, poisoning those blessed
children! occasioning quarrels between my own son and my dearest
son-in-law; flirting with the footman! When do you intend to leave,
madam, the house which you have po--poll--luted?
MISS P.--I need no hard language, Lady Kicklebury: and I will reply to
none. I have signified to Mr. Milliken my wish to leave his house.