Sit here
beside me. I know you are very brave--

BLADES. Ha!

PHOEBE. And when you come back from the wars it must be so delightful
to you to flirt with the ladies again.

SPICER. Oh, ma'am.

PHOEBE. As soon as you see a lady with a pretty nose you cannot help
saying that you adore her.

BLADES (_in an ecstasy_). Nay, I swear.

PHOEBE. And you offer to her, not from love, but because you are so
deficient in conversation.

SPICER. Charming, Miss Livvy.

PHOEBE (_with sudden irritation_). Oh, sir, go away; go away, both of
you, and read improving books.

(_They are cast down. She has not been quite fair to these gallants,
for it is not really of them she has grown weary so much as of the lady
they temporarily adore. If_ MISS PHOEBE _were to analyse her feelings
she would find that her remark is addressed to_ LIVVY, _and that it
means, 'I have enjoyed for a little pretending to be you, but I am not
you and I do not wish to be you. Your glitter and the airs of you and
the racket of you tire me, I want to be done with you, and to be back
in quiet Quality Street, of which I am a part; it is really pleasant to
me to know that I shall wake up to-morrow slightly middle-aged.' With
the entrance of_ CAPTAIN BROWN, _however, she is at once a frivol
again. He frowns at sight of her cavaliers._)

VALENTINE. Gentlemen, I instructed this lady to rest, and I am
surprised to find you in attendance. Miss Livvy, you must be weary of
their fatuities, and I have taken the liberty to order your chaise.

PHOEBE. It is indeed a liberty.

BLADES. An outrage.

PHOEBE. I prefer to remain.

VALENTINE. Nay.

PHOEBE. I promised this dance to Ensign Blades.

SPICER. To me, ma'am.

PHOEBE. And the following one to Lieutenant Spicer. Mr. Blades, your
arm.

VALENTINE. I forbid any further dancing.

PHOEBE. Forbid. La!

BLADES. Sir, by what right----

VALENTINE. By a right which I hope to make clear to Miss Livvy as soon
as you gentlemen have retired.

(PHOEBE _sees that the declaration is coming. She steels herself._)

PHOEBE. I am curious to know what Captain Brown can have to say to me.
In a few minutes, Mr. Blades, Lieutenant Spicer, I shall be at your
service.

VALENTINE. I trust not.

PHOEBE. I give them my word.

(_The young gentlemen retire, treading air once more_. BROWN _surveys
her rather grimly._)

VALENTINE. You are an amazing pretty girl, ma'am, but you are a
shocki