Well, you've only just proposed to me, and you want me to marry
you to-morrow.
GEORGE. Now you're talking perfect nonsense, Olivia. You know quite well
that our case is utterly different from--well--from any other.
OLIVIA. All the same, one must ask oneself questions. With a young girl
like--well, with a young girl--love may well seem to be all that matters.
But with a woman of my age it is different. I have to ask myself whether
you can afford to support a wife.
GEORGE. You know perfectly well that I can afford to support a wife as my
wife should be supported.
OLIVIA. Oh, I am glad. Then your income--you are not really worried about
that at all?
GEORGE (_stiffly_). You know perfectly well what my income is. I see no
reason for anxiety, in the future.
OLIVIA. Ah, very well, then we needn't think about it any more.
GEORGE. You know I can't make out what you're up to. (_Sits to her_ L.
_on settee_.) Don't you want to get married--to--er--legalize this
extraordinary situation in which we are placed?
OLIVIA. I must consider the whole question very carefully. I can't just
jump at the very first offer I have had since my husband died. (_Rising
and crossing to centre_.)
GEORGE. Oh, so I'm under consideration, eh?
OLIVIA (_moving up_ R.C.). Every suitor is.
GEORGE. Oh, very well, go on! Go on!
OLIVIA. Well then, there's your niece. You have a niece living with you.
Of course Dinah is a delightful girl, but one doesn't like marrying into
a household where there's another grown-up woman.
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