ANHALT [turning from her] Pshaw!

AMELIA. Ah! you won't--You know you have already taught me that, and
you won't begin again.

ANHALT. You misconstrue--you misconceive every thing I say or do. The
subject I came to you upon was marriage.

AMELIA. A very proper subject from the man who has taught me love, and
I accept the proposal [curtsying].

ANHALT. Again you misconceive and confound me.

AMELIA. Ay, I see how it is--You have no inclination to experience
with me "the good part of matrimony:" I am not the female with whom
you would like to go "hand in hand up hills, and through
labyrinths"--with whom you would like to "root up thorns; and with whom
you would delight to plant lilies and roses." No, you had rather call
out, "O liberty, dear liberty."

ANHALT. Why do you force from me, what it is villanous to own?--I love
you more than life--Oh, Amelia! had we lived in those golden times,
which the poet's picture, no one but you ---- But as the world is
changed, your birth and fortune make our union impossible--To preserve
the character, and more the feelings of an honest man, I would not
marry you without the consent of your father--And could I, dare I
propose it to him.

AMELIA. He has commanded me never to conceal or disguise the truth. I
will propose it to him. The subject of the Count will force me to