Miss Livvy still hangs heavy over the sisters: having been created, she is now difficult to dispose of. In a final confrontation with Captain Brown, we discover that he has found his love for Miss Phoebe and not for Miss Livvy, as he insists that "I have discovered for myself that the schoolmistress in her old maid's cap is the noblest Miss Phoebe of them all." Her actions cause events to come to a head as her act is almost brought to light by the local gossiping girls Fanny Willoughby and Henrietta Turnbull. However, Phoebe is now annoyed that Brown seems to prefer this unsubstantial 'young' flirt that she has created to her true personality and qualities. In this guise, she has captured the eyes of many of the young men and the scorn of ladies. Maude Adams as Phoebe in the 1901 Broadway productionĪt the ball, and Phoebe is still playing the part of Miss Livvy. With some encouragement from her maid, Patty, she creates the fictional character of Miss Livvy, a more energetic, flirtatious and naughty version of her younger self, and begins to tease Captain Brown who, captivated by her, persuades her and Susan to accompany him to the ball. "I am tired of being lady-like," she declares.
Phoebe, however, longs for her youth, and the return of Captain Brown only deepens her melancholy. Phoebe has not accepted any other suitor and has allowed herself to become an " Old Maid" and school mistress. Ten years after the departure of Brown, we find the girls have set up a school in order to pay the rent. When he finally does appear, it is not to ask for Phoebe's hand in marriage but to announce his intention to join the fight in Europe against Napoleon. Phoebe then confesses to her sister, Susan, that Brown intends to drop by later that day, and both are certain he means to propose. There is heightened anticipation as the local gossips of the town discuss the developing relationship between Miss Phoebe Throssel and Valentine Brown.
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