TARLETON. _[to Percival]_ Now it's your turn.
PERCIVAL. _[dictating]_ I further confess that I was guilty of
uttering an abominable calumny concerning Miss Hypatia Tarleton, for
which there was not a shred of foundation.
_Impressive silence whilst Bentley writes._
BENTLEY. "foundation"?
PERCIVAL. I apologize most humbly to the lady and her family for my
conduct-- _[he waits for Bentley to write]._
BENTLEY. "conduct"?
PERCIVAL. --and I promise Mr Tarleton not to repeat it, and to amend
my life--
BENTLEY. "amend my life"?
PERCIVAL. --and to do what in me lies to prove worthy of his kindness
in giving me another chance--
BENTLEY. "another chance"?
PERCIVAL. --and refraining from delivering me up to the punishment I
so richly deserve.