WOOD. Yes! Well, when Mrs. Colonel Carver made the usual enquiries as
to respectability, moral character, and all that sort of thing--she
somehow or other stumbled on the wrong Woodcock--the tame one instead
of the wild one--and----
MRS. L. And you took advantage of her mistake? Fie, fie, Mr. Woodcock!
I couldn't have believed it of you.
WOOD. The very words I said. "Woodcock," said I, "I couldn't have
believed it of you." But you won't betray me, my dear and highly
valued friend? you won't go and dash the cup of connubial bliss from
my lips? because I have seen Mrs. Colonel Carver turn very red in the
face at the merest trifle, and--here she comes. (_with an imploring
look at MRS. LARKINGS_)
_Enter MRS. CARVER, R. 2 E._
MRS. C. Mrs. Larkings here? where is she? Ah, my dear, delighted to
see you! and yet I've half a mind to scold you for arriving so late;
we've been obliged to get married without you, haven't we, Mr. W.?
(_crossing to WOODCOCK_)
WOOD. Yes, Mrs. C.!
MRS. L. Tell me--how is dear Caroline?
MRS. C. Very well, but very agitated--and no wonder (_seeing WOODCOCK,
who is approaching, and in a severe tone of astonishment_) Mr. W.!
WOOD. (_bothered_) Yes, Mrs. C. (_MRS. CARVER motions him to keep at a
distance, WOODCOCK retreats quite bewildered_)
MRS. C. (_to MRS. L._) Go to her, my dear! you'll find the dear child
in her room, exchanging her bridal attire for her travelling dress.
WOOD. (_overhearing, L. C._) Umph! Travelling dress? did you say
"travelling dress?"
MRS. C. Yes, Mr. W.! but I forgot, you were to know nothing about it!
(_to MRS. LARKINGS_) I think we arranged that Mr. W. should know
nothing about it?
MRS. L. (_R. C._) Of course not! our object was to give him an agreeable
surprise. (_smiling_)
WOOD. Our object?--then (_crosses to MRS. LARKINGS_) you joined in
this charming little plot, eh? ha, ha! (_forcing a laugh_)
MRS. C. Joined in it? She concocted it!