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Bar. (to Vald.) Look on this fair gentlewoman: her father was a respectable officer, though misfortunes prevented his promotion. You have taken advantage of her situation, being under the protection of the Countess your mother, as a god-daughter and distant relation, to use her most unworthily. Make her your wife, and receive, as her dowry, your reputation in the world untarnished.

Walt. Now, good, heroic, sentimental Antonio; is this too much to require of the noble personage you plead for?

Ant. On this I am compelled to be silent.

Bar. Will Count Valdemere vouchsafe us an answer? Will you marry her or not, Count?

Vald. I have indeed—I ought in strict justiceShe will not accept of one who has used her so unworthily.

Page. (eagerly.) I hope not: I would rather than a thousand crowns she would refuse him.

Dart. Will you have him or not, pretty Nina? Don't be afraid to refuse him: we shan't think the worse of you if you do. (Nina stands silent and weeping.)

Page. (aside to Nina.) Don't have him, woman; he's a coward and a coxcomb, and adon't have him.

Nina. (aside.) Ah, you have never loved him as I have done, Brother.