The Heiress

Elizabeth Almond:
Well, she has the prospect of $30,000 a year.

Austin Sloper:
I see you appreciate her.

Elizabeth Almond:
I don't mean it's her only merit. But you always have a way of alluding to her as an unmarriageble girl.

Austin Sloper:
My allusions are just as kind as yours.

Catherine Sloper:
Don't be kind to me, father. It doesn't become you.

Aunt Penniman:
Now, Catherine, if you will stay by me this evening, you will see that what I say is not always of the greatest importance, but dear, that doesn't keep me from talking.

Catherine Sloper:
He's grown greedier over the years. Before he only wanted my money; now he wants my love as well. Well, he came to the wrong house - and he came twice. I shall see that he does not come a third time.

Austin Sloper:
You have found a tongue at last, Catherine. 'Tis only to say such terrible things to me.

Catherine Sloper:
Yes. This is a field where you will not compare me to my mother.

Catherine Sloper:
Bolt the door, Maria!

Catherine Sloper:
Father won't abuse you, he doesn't know you well enough.

Jefferson Almond:
Well, Austin, who's sick? Who died? Who've you been cutting up lately?

Austin Sloper:
Yes, I can see you're in good shape. When your gout's troubling you, you're more respectful to me.

Austin Sloper:
Do you remember her mother? Her mother who had so much grace and gaiety. This is her child.

Elizabeth Almond:
Austin, no child could compete with this image you have of her mother.

Austin Sloper:
You're not entitled to say that. Only I know what I lost when she died and what I got in her place.

Mrs. Montgomery:
I think, Doctor, that you expect too much of people. If you do you'll always be disappointed.

Austin Sloper:
[Referring to Catherine] How is it possible to protect such a willing victim?

Aunt Penniman:
You will kill her if you deny her this marriage.

Austin Sloper:
You forget I'm a doctor. People don't die of such things.

Aunt Penniman:
[Referring to Morris] But he's looking for a position most earnestly.

Austin Sloper:
I wonder if he's looking for it here, Lavinia.

Aunt Penniman:
What?

Austin Sloper:
Wouldn't the position of a husband to a defenseless young girl with a large fortune suit him to perfection?

Aunt Penniman:
How can you entertain such a suspicion?

Austin Sloper:
Suspicion? It's a diagnosis.

Aunt Penniman:
Can you be so cruel?

Catherine Sloper:
Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters.

Austin Sloper:
[Referring to Morris] I'll see him tomorrow.

Catherine Sloper:
You're so good that you will be fair and honest with him.

Austin Sloper:
I shall be as fair and honest with him as he is with you.

Mrs. Montgomery:
[after meeting Catherine] [Unconvinced] I can only supposed that Morris is more mature in his feelings than I'd thought.

Aunt Penniman:
Good heavens, child. You are disinheriting yourself.

Catherine Sloper:
Yes. Completely.

Aunt Penniman:
Have you told Morris this?

Catherine Sloper:
Of course. I told him everything. He is to be my husband.

Aunt Penniman:
Oh, you should have waited. Did... Did he understand?