Isaac. [Aside.] So, so; she mollifies apace—she’s struck with my figure! this attitude has had its effect.

Duen. Come, sir, here’s a chair.

Isaac. Madam, the greatness of your goodness overpowers me—that a lady so lovely should deign to turn her beauteous eyes on me so.

[She takes his hand, he turns and sees her.

Duen. You seem surprised at my condescension.

Isaac. Why, yes, madam, I am a little surprised at it.—[Aside.] Zounds! this can never be Louisa—she’s as old as my mother!

Duen. But former prepossessions give way to my father’s commands.

Isaac. [Aside.] Her father! Yes, ’tis she then.—Lord, Lord; how blind some parents are!

Duen. Signor Isaac!

Isaac. [Aside.] Truly, the little damsel was right—she has rather a matronly air, indeed! ah! ’tis well my affections are fixed on her fortune, and not her person.

Duen. Signor, won’t you sit?

[She sits.

Isaac. Pardon me, madam, I have scarce recovered my astonishment at—your condescension, madam.—[Aside.] She has the devil’s own dimples, to be sure!

Duen. I do not wonder, sir, that you are surprised at my affability—I own, signor, that I was vastly prepossessed against you, and, being teased by my father, I did give some encouragement to Antonio; but then, sir, you were described to me as quite a different person.

Isaac. Ay, and so you were to me, upon my soul, madam.

Duen. But when I saw you I was never more struck in my life.

Isaac. That was just my case, too, madam: I was struck all of a heap, for my part.

Duen Well, sir, I see our misapprehension has been mutual—you expected to find me haughty and averse, and I was taught to believe you a little black, snub-nosed fellow, without person, manners, or address.

Isaac. Egad, I wish she had answered her picture as well!

[Aside.

Duen. But, sir, your air is noble—something so liberal in your carriage, with so penetrating an eye, and so bewitching a smile!

Isaac. Egad, now I look at her again, I don’t think she is so ugly!

[Aside.

Duen. So little like a Jew, and so much like a gentleman!

Isaac. Well, certainly, there is something pleasing in the tone of her voice.