Chapter 24

Enter FREDERICK and RICARDO.FREDERICK(hastily).Good-bye: I’m off. Speed you as well as I.Laura is to meet me in the park: an hourWill put us out of reach.RICARDO.Farewell. God speed you!All is prepared at Milan; and ere you are married,I shall be accepted.F.Write me word.R.I will.F.I’ll not believe it till I see your hand.R.Not if Diana write herself?F.To me?That might persuade me. Good luck to you, Richard!And thanks for all your favours.2730R.Favours! eh!To an old friend! Well. Good-bye!F.Good-bye.[Taking up coat, Exit.R.(leisurely). He’s gone. Bravo! give him two minutes moreAnd he will be clean gone: and when he is goneI shall not fear to tell Diana all.—He is lost to her; and that I have won her likingEnds her caprice. Now, ’tis my pleasant dutyTo send my letter to Sir Gregory (takes out letter and peruses it).And open his eyes: he must not be left groping.(looking it over.) First who I am; and what I have done, and do2740To assist his daughter in her happy match.When he knows that, he’ll bless me: and he must tellDiana of Frederick’s marriage; but of meKeep counsel awhile—better to put that plainer (goes to inkstand and writes).Yet a slight hint of something to Diana,If I could manage it, would serve me well.Enter Tristram.(still writing.) Ah, Tristram: come in, Tristram:(aside.) This leaky fool is just the man to do it.—Lend me your company for half an hour.TRISTRAM.Your company! here’s wonders. I never knew you ask that before. ’Twas always stand off, Tristram:and you may go, Tristram: and we don’t want you, Tristram. What’s come to you now, that you ask my company?R.Your master’s gone, Tristram; and I shall feel lonely.T.My master is gone: and, as I believe, many thanks to you. I don’t know why ever you came here; but since you came all has gone wrong: there’s been more secrets and less sense: and now my master, or I should say, my late master, has quarrelled with the Countess and me; and I am turned loose on the world.R.Do you want a fresh place, Tristram?T.If I did, you are scarcely the man I should look to; thank you all the same.R.I could give you some good advice.T.I don’t want your advice neither, sir.R. You love secrets, though: I have one I could tell you.T.I have had enough of secrets. I wish you could tell me something that isn’t a secret.R.It’s no secret, Tristram, that you love Miss Flora.T.No, damn it: but it was a secret: and the best of them all. But now my master’s gone, I dare tell you a secret, sir. I always disliked you extremely from the first: and I don’t think better of you now.—I have to put a few things together before the maids come to dothe room; and if you don’t go, I shall leave you to be dusted out. 2780R.Wait, Tristram: I can teach you better manners. And I have a service to ask of you. Here’s a purse to help you and Flora. (giving.)T.Well, this is a different matter. I am sure, sir, I am very much obliged to you. But I never saw the colour of your money before. (Aside.) More ducats!R.No: because you served me better by trying to disoblige me. Now I pay you to oblige me in a trifling matter. ’Tis to find out Sir Gregory and deliver this letter to him.T.Certainly, sir. Is there anything else that you may require, sir?R.Yes. Just light me a taper, and I’ll seal the letter. You see I don’t trust you altogether, Tristram: not yet.T.You may, sir. I want no more of Mr. Frederick’s secrets. Not that they were at all times unprofitable, though he never himself gave me a penny on their2800account.R.(having sealed). Here ’tis. Will you please take it at once?T.(taking). I will, sir. (Aside.) More secrets still: and more ducats.[Exit.R.Enough should grow to reach Diana’s earsFrom Tristram’s curiosity. MeanwhileI’ll watch my time. My rival’s safely gone ...But how to face Diana? I think ’tis best2809To take her by surprise: a weaker forceThen overwhelms. I will go change my dress.[Exit.SCENE · 5The hall up-stairs, or other room in Palace. TRISTRAM and FLORA meeting.TRISTRAM.Ha, Flora! where’s Sir Gregory? What red eyes: blubbering!FLORA.I am discharged, Tristram, discharged. The Countess has discharged me for keeping company with you. And she has been crying too, to have to part with me. What ever will come to us?T.What matters? I’ll cheer thee, girl. Look here! More money. There’s five pieces of gold: and all for carrying this letter to Sir Gregory. Where is he?Fl.Who gave it you?T.That Mr. Ricardo. It’s a mystery, Flora: but there’s something in it, I do believe.Fl.Mr. Ricardo?T.Ay. Who should he be that scatters gold, and seals with a crown, look! and says that he will find us new places, and all sorts of fine promises? A man that would flick me away whenever I came near him.2830Fl.Did he, Tristram?T.Ay, that he would. But I heard him say once that he came here for his cure. I take it he’s cured now; and he would make friends all on a sudden, and begs me kindly carry this to Sir Gregory. ’Tis his farewell, no doubt. He will go home, and take me with him.Fl.And me too?T.Not if you blubber. Where’s Sir Gregory?Fl.I don’t know. The Countess has bid me go2840seek Lady Laura.T.Come! I’ll with you as far as the library, where I think I should find the old gentleman.[Exeunt.Enter Diana.DIANA.Rejected! by the man I loved rejected:Despised by him, and by myself betrayed!And all will know it—I could not hide it.Our nature hath this need: woman must love.But oh! to have made my idol of a stone,To my wórship a déaf unanswering stone!At last I am cured. Since not my rank suffices2850To set me above the rules I gave my maids,I’ll never love. Am I to stand and wait,Till some man fancy me, and then to meltAnd conjure inclination at a nod?O man, thou art our god: the almighty’s curseCrowns thee our master: from the green-sick girlThat mopes in worship of the nearest fool,To the poor jaded wife of thirty yearsWho dotes upon her striker, ’tis the same....That’s not for me. Nay, give it up altogether:Go free. If man’s so base; if that high passion,2861That spirit-ecstasy, that supersensual,Conscious devotion of divinityOf which I dreamed, is only to be foundIn books of fanciful philosophy,Or tales of pretty poets ... why then awayWith books and men! my life henceforth shall proveWoman is self-sufficing: in my courtNo man shall step, save such as may be neededTo show my spirit holds them in contempt.2870Women shall be my friends and women only;And I shall find allies. I had in LauraAll that I could desire, a friend, unselfish,Devoted, grateful, and as yet untaintedBy any folly of love: and her I schemedTo marry away. ’Tis not too late: I’ll save her:She shall not be enslaved: she doth not love.Her heart is free and generous; it has shrunkBy instinct from the yoke: she will join with me;And if I tell her all,—or if she have guessed,—2880Now when I tell her she will comfort me.Comfort and counsel, friendship, that I needAnd she can give. I never will part fróm her.Re-enter Flora.Fl.Oh, my lady: the Lady Laura is gone, she has run away.D.Run away!Fl.Sir Gregory is coming to tell you all about it. She has run away with Mr. Frederick.D.Nonsense! How dare you tell me....Fl.I guess it’s true though. I remember now I used to say how strange it was that such a sweet lady, and2891so clever and proper a gentleman as....D.Silence, Flora! What has come to you? What makes you say this?Fl.Because she’s not to be found. But Sir Gregory will tell you.D.Send Sir Gregory at once. (Aside.) This is impossible, impossible.Fl.See here he comes.D.(aside). Ah! if this were Frederick’s secret!Enter Sir Gregory.2900What is it? Sir Gregory, tell me.GREGORY.I scarce dare tell your ladyship the tidingsI have to bear.D.(aside). It’s true! it’s true!G.My daughterHas run away with Frederick.(Diana sinks on a chair; Flora runs to fan her.)Ah! my lady!What have I done? I was too quick.D.Nay, nay,Flora, begone. I can hear all. You knew it?G.I had not the least suspicion of the truth;Altho’it needed but the merest trifleTo clear my sight. I chanced to find her gloveIn Frederick’s room. All flashed upon me at once.2910I ran to seek her. She was gone. A messageShe left was given me, that she would be awayAll the afternoon: but since she had taken with herA valise....D.She, ’twas she.... O most dissembling,Ungenerous, ungrateful....Fl.I said ’twas true.D.Begone at once I bid you.[Exit Flora.G.I ran in hasteTo tell your ladyship; but for some reasonCould not be admitted: so I took such stepsTo arrest them as I might....D.Ha! they are seized?G.I have since repented of my haste: a letter2920Put in my hands reveals the whole: ’tis passedBeyond prevention. It has been maturingUnder our eyes for months. We must give way.’Tis strange we never guessed it. This very morningI was in Laura’s room; and when we partedShe made such long farewells, and looked at meWith such reluctance, and such brimming eyes,I saw she had some trouble untold; and thinking’Twas her dislike of Nicholas, I repentedI had ever urged the match. I little thought,Dear girl, ’twas sorrow that she dared not tell me2931Her joy.D.(aside). Her joy! no doubt! Here’s a fine father!What doth he wish? Ah, doubly have I been fooled.How plain ’tis now to see. The only oneI have never once suspected; the only oneIt could have been. And Frederick must have told herMy love of him. All I would have kept secretAnd thought was hid, hath been as open as day:And what I sought to learn hath been kept from meBy them I trusted to discover it.2940Tristram, no doubt, whom I supposed a fool,Hath merely played with me. Thank heaven they are gone.I’ll never see him again. Befooled: befooled.G.They have been befriended by the Duke of Milan.D.The Duke of Milan too!G.It was his letterI spake of. Frederick is, he tells me there,His old school-friend; he begs my pardon for him,Will fête the bride and bridegroom in his palace,And have the Archbishop marry them. ’Tis thitherThey are fled.D.Then all this is a plot of the Duke’s!2950G.(aside). I dare not tell her more.D.Who brought the letter?G.I wish my dear girl joy. She has chosen well.D.Who brought the letter?G.Tristram gave it me.D.(half-aside). How came he by it?Re-enter Tristram.T.My lady! I have something now.D.Tristram, I bade you leave the court: how dare youAppear before me again?Silence, I say. I know your news: you have servedYour master with such lying skill, I wonderHe did not take you and your Flora with him:There was not room enough perhaps in the coachFor two such couples.2960T.How, if you please, my lady,Are Flora and I two couples?D.Silence. Tell meHow you get letters from the Duke of Milan.T.How I get letters from the Duke of Milan?D.There’s nothing now to hide, so tell the truth.T.I swear, my lady, that I know no moreOf the Duke of Milan than a babe unborn.Your ladyship accused me once beforeOf having been at Milan, when ’twas plainThat I had not gone, and never wished to go.2970Knowing my lady’s strong impartiality,I should not venture.D.This will not do.Enter Ricardo.(Gregory beckons Tristram aside, and during Diana’s first speech whispers him, and Gregory and Tristram go out.)RICARDO.My lady.The culprit is discovered.D.Ah, Ricardo!I had forgot ... was this thy plan? ... if soI cannot praise thy skill sufficiently.All hath gone well. And since no doubt thou hast servedThy master and his friend in all thou hast done,And under the pretence of aiding meHast been the ready man, more than another,To practise on me, and do me injury;2980I’ll school my patience till I have satisfiedMy curiosity to know what thoughtUrged thee,—whom I confess I wholly trusted,And whom I thought to have made my friend,—that thusAgainst the laws of hospitality,Without the excuse of passion, thou shouldst wrongA lady so unkindly.R.Ah, Diana!Hast thou not guessed my secret?D.By heaven, sir,Did the Duke send thee here to insult me too?R.Dearest Diana, I am the Duke of Milan.D.Ha! thou! Thy face behind the bush. ’Tis thou.Should I have known it? No. I can thank GodI knew it so little. By help tho’of thy actsI recognize your grace. ’Tis like thee indeed,That hast not scrupled thus to steal upon meMasked and disguised; by forgery and falsehood,Written recommendations of thyself,3000Making thee out to be some gentlemanOf trust and honour. Oh ’tis admirable,The use thou makest of thy rank, to creepInto my secresy, thereby to assistThy friend, my secretary, to elopeWith an orphan and my ward. Haste, haste! I bid thee;Lest thou be late for the feast. Bear them from meMy glad congratulations. (sinks on a chair.)R.(running to her). Diana! Diana!D.I need no aid from thee, sir. Nay, begone!R.In kindness hear what I came here to say.3010In justice hear my answer to the chargesThou hast made. But first I claim my promise.D.How!What promise, sir?R.Your secretary’s placeIf Frederick left.D.Make you me still your jest?R.O dearest Diana, think not that I jest.I’d be thy secretary all my life,So I might only take the place which FrederickHeld in thy affections.D.(rising).In my affections! why,What means your grace, I beg?R.Diana, Diana!Have I not won thee? Did I not obey thee3020By silence and long absence, till my lifeGrew desperate, and my misery made me boldTo come to thee disguised? I thought that thouPerchance wert adverse to my suit for thinkingI loved thee only for thy beauty’s sake,—Since at first sight I loved and only sight,—And for thy mind’s grace thou wert rightly jealousOf such a passion. Now, if I guess well,I have won some favour in these happy days....D.Favour!R.And if thou hast dreamed thou hast loved another,3030’Tis no impediment: for first this man,Whom thou hast honoured is my nearest friend;And not to have loved him were to have disregardedThe only part of me thou ever knewest.But him, for very lack of loving rightlyThou hast much mistaken and wronged, and, as I think,Now for misunderstanding bearest ill-will.D.I bear him no ill-will, your grace.R.Nor me?D.But what you have done?R.Love can excuse me all.What woman judges by proprietiesThe man who would die for her, and who without her3041Regards not life? Passion atones my fault.D.Your only excuse is your offence.R.’Tis thus:If I am not pardoned, I am not loved; but ifI am loved, I am pardoned. If thou sayst to meI never knew thee, but I know thee now,And like thee not: thy three years’love for meI count for nothing, thy devotion nothing,Thy misery nothing: thy adventure hereI set against thee; and the hour thou goest3050I shall lose nothing: If thou canst say this,Speak ... and I promiseTo turn away for ever. Is that thy mind?D.Is’t possible?R.What possible?D.Thy-—-truth.R.My love? Nay, love’s a miracle, a thingThat cannot be where it seems possible,And where ’tis most incredible is most worthOur credit.D.That is true.R.That thou didst doubtWas worthy of the greatness of my love.But now I claim thy faith. Thou mayst believe,3060Thou must believe. Indeed, indeed, Diana,Thou mayst believe. Look’st thou to find love strong?I have heavenly security:—devoted?I have no self but thee:—patient? I pleadThree years of patience:—humble? I was contentTo be thy servant:—wise? I knew thee betterThan thou thyself; I knew that thou must love:Or is love tender?—See my childish tearsCrowd now to hear my sentence.D.Ah, this were love,If it were só.R.Diana, it is so.There is nought to-day in all the world but this,3071I love thee.D.Alas! how was I wrong! Sir, sir!Thou bringst me, or at least thou seemst to bring me,The gift of God. Whether it be so or noHow can I tell? ’Twould wrong it—nay I cannotTake it in haste. I cannot. I understand.Nay, leave me. I know not what to say ... your blindAttachment, is’t not cured?R.Cure all but thatBy my acceptance. (kneels.) I am thy true lover,Thy only lover. Bid me rise beloved.3080D.Hush, some one comes. Rise! rise!R.Thy hand! ’tis mine, ’tis mine.(Kisses it and rises.)Enter St. Nicholas with Gregory. Frederick and Laura following.ST. NICHOLAS.They are caught, your ladyship: they are caught,Driving away together: and FrederickWas making love to Laura in the coach.R.Now now! how’s this? Frederick so soon returned;And taken by the honeysucker!N.Sir,Your honeysucking Frederick would have robbedMy sweetest flower: but like a skimming swallowThat takes a fly in his beak, I snapped him upAt the park gate.3090R.He’ll prove a bitter morsel,I fear, St. Nicholas.N.My lady, speak.What shall be done to them that have infringedThe laws of the court? Whatever punishment,I pray it fall on Frederick with more weightThan on my Laura. I would not have such rigourAs might defer our marriage.(Gregory goes to Laura. Ricardo to Frederick.)D.I shall award my judgment on you two,Who have mocked not my rules only, but the commonConventions of society, and preferring3100The unwritten statutes of the court of MilanHave joined to act a lie, and me, your friend,Deceived and wronged, whom ye had done well to trust.One only honourable course is left—My judgment on you is that you be marriedAs soon as may be. Therefore, Frederick,I beg that you will draw the contract upBetween yourself and Laura with all speed.And that my sister shall not lack a portion,I will endow her with as goodly a sumAs what St. Nicholas promised. Now this time3111Let there be no mistake.N.What’s this, Sir Gregory?Cannot you hear?FREDERICK.Your ladyship, I am boundFor ever to your service.L.(to D.).Am I forgiven, Diana?F.(to R.). Richard, how’s this?R.(to F.). I have won. (aloud.) And let me sayThat I for friendship’s sake will do as muchToward Lady Laura’s portion as the Countess.N.Sir Gregory ... Sir Gregory!Is this the way I am treated? You do not hear?Sir Gregory, speak!G.(to N.). I hear not what is said, St. Nicholas:3130But I can see: and since you have caught your brideRunning away, you must not look to meTo help you hold her. Surely what I promisedI promised in good faith: but what hath happenedSets me at liberty. (Laura goes to Gregory.)N.And I am left out?Am I a sacrifice?D.Sir, be consoled:You were not more deceived than I.N.At leastTristram shall not escape. I do beseech youHe may be punished for stealing my sonnet,And shutting me in the cupboard.Re-enter Tristram and Flora.D.Who come here?3140T. and Fl.My lady, we ask for pardon.R.I take on meTo speak for them.D.No need for that, your grace;They are forgiven.N.Why doth she say 'your grace’.T.(to R.). Ah, why 'your grace’indeed?R.This Tristram hereHath done us many a service. Flora tooHath played a useful part. May not their marriageFollow on ours, Diana?N.Yours!T.(to audience sympathetically). His!D.They may have so much promise with all my heart.T.Thank you, my lady.3150I never did understand anything in the ‘Humours of this Court,’ and I never shall.FINIS

Enter FREDERICK and RICARDO.

FREDERICK(hastily).

Good-bye: I’m off. Speed you as well as I.Laura is to meet me in the park: an hourWill put us out of reach.

Good-bye: I’m off. Speed you as well as I.

Laura is to meet me in the park: an hour

Will put us out of reach.

RICARDO.

Farewell. God speed you!All is prepared at Milan; and ere you are married,I shall be accepted.

Farewell. God speed you!

All is prepared at Milan; and ere you are married,

I shall be accepted.

F.Write me word.

R.I will.

F.I’ll not believe it till I see your hand.

R.Not if Diana write herself?

F.To me?That might persuade me. Good luck to you, Richard!And thanks for all your favours.

F.To me?

That might persuade me. Good luck to you, Richard!

And thanks for all your favours.

2730R.Favours! eh!To an old friend! Well. Good-bye!

R.Favours! eh!

To an old friend! Well. Good-bye!

F.Good-bye.

[Taking up coat, Exit.

R.(leisurely). He’s gone. Bravo! give him two minutes moreAnd he will be clean gone: and when he is goneI shall not fear to tell Diana all.—He is lost to her; and that I have won her likingEnds her caprice. Now, ’tis my pleasant dutyTo send my letter to Sir Gregory (takes out letter and peruses it).And open his eyes: he must not be left groping.(looking it over.) First who I am; and what I have done, and do2740To assist his daughter in her happy match.When he knows that, he’ll bless me: and he must tellDiana of Frederick’s marriage; but of meKeep counsel awhile—better to put that plainer (goes to inkstand and writes).Yet a slight hint of something to Diana,If I could manage it, would serve me well.

R.(leisurely). He’s gone. Bravo! give him two minutes more

And he will be clean gone: and when he is gone

I shall not fear to tell Diana all.—

He is lost to her; and that I have won her liking

Ends her caprice. Now, ’tis my pleasant duty

To send my letter to Sir Gregory (takes out letter and peruses it).

And open his eyes: he must not be left groping.

(looking it over.) First who I am; and what I have done, and do

To assist his daughter in her happy match.

When he knows that, he’ll bless me: and he must tell

Diana of Frederick’s marriage; but of me

Keep counsel awhile—better to put that plainer (goes to inkstand and writes).

Yet a slight hint of something to Diana,

If I could manage it, would serve me well.

Enter Tristram.

(still writing.) Ah, Tristram: come in, Tristram:(aside.) This leaky fool is just the man to do it.—Lend me your company for half an hour.

(still writing.) Ah, Tristram: come in, Tristram:

(aside.) This leaky fool is just the man to do it.—

Lend me your company for half an hour.

TRISTRAM.

Your company! here’s wonders. I never knew you ask that before. ’Twas always stand off, Tristram:and you may go, Tristram: and we don’t want you, Tristram. What’s come to you now, that you ask my company?R.Your master’s gone, Tristram; and I shall feel lonely.T.My master is gone: and, as I believe, many thanks to you. I don’t know why ever you came here; but since you came all has gone wrong: there’s been more secrets and less sense: and now my master, or I should say, my late master, has quarrelled with the Countess and me; and I am turned loose on the world.R.Do you want a fresh place, Tristram?T.If I did, you are scarcely the man I should look to; thank you all the same.R.I could give you some good advice.T.I don’t want your advice neither, sir.R. You love secrets, though: I have one I could tell you.T.I have had enough of secrets. I wish you could tell me something that isn’t a secret.R.It’s no secret, Tristram, that you love Miss Flora.T.No, damn it: but it was a secret: and the best of them all. But now my master’s gone, I dare tell you a secret, sir. I always disliked you extremely from the first: and I don’t think better of you now.—I have to put a few things together before the maids come to dothe room; and if you don’t go, I shall leave you to be dusted out. 2780R.Wait, Tristram: I can teach you better manners. And I have a service to ask of you. Here’s a purse to help you and Flora. (giving.)T.Well, this is a different matter. I am sure, sir, I am very much obliged to you. But I never saw the colour of your money before. (Aside.) More ducats!R.No: because you served me better by trying to disoblige me. Now I pay you to oblige me in a trifling matter. ’Tis to find out Sir Gregory and deliver this letter to him.T.Certainly, sir. Is there anything else that you may require, sir?R.Yes. Just light me a taper, and I’ll seal the letter. You see I don’t trust you altogether, Tristram: not yet.T.You may, sir. I want no more of Mr. Frederick’s secrets. Not that they were at all times unprofitable, though he never himself gave me a penny on their2800account.R.(having sealed). Here ’tis. Will you please take it at once?T.(taking). I will, sir. (Aside.) More secrets still: and more ducats.[Exit.

R.Your master’s gone, Tristram; and I shall feel lonely.

T.My master is gone: and, as I believe, many thanks to you. I don’t know why ever you came here; but since you came all has gone wrong: there’s been more secrets and less sense: and now my master, or I should say, my late master, has quarrelled with the Countess and me; and I am turned loose on the world.

R.Do you want a fresh place, Tristram?

T.If I did, you are scarcely the man I should look to; thank you all the same.

R.I could give you some good advice.

T.I don’t want your advice neither, sir.

R. You love secrets, though: I have one I could tell you.

T.I have had enough of secrets. I wish you could tell me something that isn’t a secret.

R.It’s no secret, Tristram, that you love Miss Flora.

T.No, damn it: but it was a secret: and the best of them all. But now my master’s gone, I dare tell you a secret, sir. I always disliked you extremely from the first: and I don’t think better of you now.—I have to put a few things together before the maids come to dothe room; and if you don’t go, I shall leave you to be dusted out. 2780

R.Wait, Tristram: I can teach you better manners. And I have a service to ask of you. Here’s a purse to help you and Flora. (giving.)

T.Well, this is a different matter. I am sure, sir, I am very much obliged to you. But I never saw the colour of your money before. (Aside.) More ducats!

R.No: because you served me better by trying to disoblige me. Now I pay you to oblige me in a trifling matter. ’Tis to find out Sir Gregory and deliver this letter to him.

T.Certainly, sir. Is there anything else that you may require, sir?

R.Yes. Just light me a taper, and I’ll seal the letter. You see I don’t trust you altogether, Tristram: not yet.

T.You may, sir. I want no more of Mr. Frederick’s secrets. Not that they were at all times unprofitable, though he never himself gave me a penny on their2800account.

R.(having sealed). Here ’tis. Will you please take it at once?

T.(taking). I will, sir. (Aside.) More secrets still: and more ducats.[Exit.

R.Enough should grow to reach Diana’s earsFrom Tristram’s curiosity. MeanwhileI’ll watch my time. My rival’s safely gone ...But how to face Diana? I think ’tis best2809To take her by surprise: a weaker forceThen overwhelms. I will go change my dress.[Exit.

R.Enough should grow to reach Diana’s ears

From Tristram’s curiosity. Meanwhile

I’ll watch my time. My rival’s safely gone ...

But how to face Diana? I think ’tis best

To take her by surprise: a weaker force

Then overwhelms. I will go change my dress.[Exit.

The hall up-stairs, or other room in Palace. TRISTRAM and FLORA meeting.TRISTRAM.Ha, Flora! where’s Sir Gregory? What red eyes: blubbering!FLORA.I am discharged, Tristram, discharged. The Countess has discharged me for keeping company with you. And she has been crying too, to have to part with me. What ever will come to us?T.What matters? I’ll cheer thee, girl. Look here! More money. There’s five pieces of gold: and all for carrying this letter to Sir Gregory. Where is he?Fl.Who gave it you?T.That Mr. Ricardo. It’s a mystery, Flora: but there’s something in it, I do believe.Fl.Mr. Ricardo?T.Ay. Who should he be that scatters gold, and seals with a crown, look! and says that he will find us new places, and all sorts of fine promises? A man that would flick me away whenever I came near him.2830Fl.Did he, Tristram?T.Ay, that he would. But I heard him say once that he came here for his cure. I take it he’s cured now; and he would make friends all on a sudden, and begs me kindly carry this to Sir Gregory. ’Tis his farewell, no doubt. He will go home, and take me with him.Fl.And me too?T.Not if you blubber. Where’s Sir Gregory?Fl.I don’t know. The Countess has bid me go2840seek Lady Laura.T.Come! I’ll with you as far as the library, where I think I should find the old gentleman.[Exeunt.

The hall up-stairs, or other room in Palace. TRISTRAM and FLORA meeting.

TRISTRAM.

Ha, Flora! where’s Sir Gregory? What red eyes: blubbering!

FLORA.

I am discharged, Tristram, discharged. The Countess has discharged me for keeping company with you. And she has been crying too, to have to part with me. What ever will come to us?

T.What matters? I’ll cheer thee, girl. Look here! More money. There’s five pieces of gold: and all for carrying this letter to Sir Gregory. Where is he?

Fl.Who gave it you?

T.That Mr. Ricardo. It’s a mystery, Flora: but there’s something in it, I do believe.

Fl.Mr. Ricardo?

T.Ay. Who should he be that scatters gold, and seals with a crown, look! and says that he will find us new places, and all sorts of fine promises? A man that would flick me away whenever I came near him.

Fl.Did he, Tristram?

T.Ay, that he would. But I heard him say once that he came here for his cure. I take it he’s cured now; and he would make friends all on a sudden, and begs me kindly carry this to Sir Gregory. ’Tis his farewell, no doubt. He will go home, and take me with him.

Fl.And me too?

T.Not if you blubber. Where’s Sir Gregory?

Fl.I don’t know. The Countess has bid me go2840seek Lady Laura.

T.Come! I’ll with you as far as the library, where I think I should find the old gentleman.

[Exeunt.

Enter Diana.

DIANA.

Rejected! by the man I loved rejected:Despised by him, and by myself betrayed!And all will know it—I could not hide it.

Rejected! by the man I loved rejected:

Despised by him, and by myself betrayed!

And all will know it—I could not hide it.

Our nature hath this need: woman must love.But oh! to have made my idol of a stone,To my wórship a déaf unanswering stone!At last I am cured. Since not my rank suffices2850To set me above the rules I gave my maids,I’ll never love. Am I to stand and wait,Till some man fancy me, and then to meltAnd conjure inclination at a nod?O man, thou art our god: the almighty’s curseCrowns thee our master: from the green-sick girlThat mopes in worship of the nearest fool,To the poor jaded wife of thirty yearsWho dotes upon her striker, ’tis the same....That’s not for me. Nay, give it up altogether:Go free. If man’s so base; if that high passion,2861That spirit-ecstasy, that supersensual,Conscious devotion of divinityOf which I dreamed, is only to be foundIn books of fanciful philosophy,Or tales of pretty poets ... why then awayWith books and men! my life henceforth shall proveWoman is self-sufficing: in my courtNo man shall step, save such as may be neededTo show my spirit holds them in contempt.2870Women shall be my friends and women only;And I shall find allies. I had in LauraAll that I could desire, a friend, unselfish,Devoted, grateful, and as yet untaintedBy any folly of love: and her I schemedTo marry away. ’Tis not too late: I’ll save her:She shall not be enslaved: she doth not love.Her heart is free and generous; it has shrunkBy instinct from the yoke: she will join with me;And if I tell her all,—or if she have guessed,—2880Now when I tell her she will comfort me.Comfort and counsel, friendship, that I needAnd she can give. I never will part fróm her.

Our nature hath this need: woman must love.

But oh! to have made my idol of a stone,

To my wórship a déaf unanswering stone!

At last I am cured. Since not my rank suffices

To set me above the rules I gave my maids,

I’ll never love. Am I to stand and wait,

Till some man fancy me, and then to melt

And conjure inclination at a nod?

O man, thou art our god: the almighty’s curse

Crowns thee our master: from the green-sick girl

That mopes in worship of the nearest fool,

To the poor jaded wife of thirty years

Who dotes upon her striker, ’tis the same....

That’s not for me. Nay, give it up altogether:

Go free. If man’s so base; if that high passion,

That spirit-ecstasy, that supersensual,

Conscious devotion of divinity

Of which I dreamed, is only to be found

In books of fanciful philosophy,

Or tales of pretty poets ... why then away

With books and men! my life henceforth shall prove

Woman is self-sufficing: in my court

No man shall step, save such as may be needed

To show my spirit holds them in contempt.

Women shall be my friends and women only;

And I shall find allies. I had in Laura

All that I could desire, a friend, unselfish,

Devoted, grateful, and as yet untainted

By any folly of love: and her I schemed

To marry away. ’Tis not too late: I’ll save her:

She shall not be enslaved: she doth not love.

Her heart is free and generous; it has shrunk

By instinct from the yoke: she will join with me;

And if I tell her all,—or if she have guessed,—

Now when I tell her she will comfort me.

Comfort and counsel, friendship, that I need

And she can give. I never will part fróm her.

Re-enter Flora.Fl.Oh, my lady: the Lady Laura is gone, she has run away.D.Run away!Fl.Sir Gregory is coming to tell you all about it. She has run away with Mr. Frederick.D.Nonsense! How dare you tell me....Fl.I guess it’s true though. I remember now I used to say how strange it was that such a sweet lady, and2891so clever and proper a gentleman as....D.Silence, Flora! What has come to you? What makes you say this?Fl.Because she’s not to be found. But Sir Gregory will tell you.D.Send Sir Gregory at once. (Aside.) This is impossible, impossible.Fl.See here he comes.D.(aside). Ah! if this were Frederick’s secret!Enter Sir Gregory.

Re-enter Flora.

Fl.Oh, my lady: the Lady Laura is gone, she has run away.

D.Run away!

Fl.Sir Gregory is coming to tell you all about it. She has run away with Mr. Frederick.

D.Nonsense! How dare you tell me....

Fl.I guess it’s true though. I remember now I used to say how strange it was that such a sweet lady, and2891so clever and proper a gentleman as....

D.Silence, Flora! What has come to you? What makes you say this?

Fl.Because she’s not to be found. But Sir Gregory will tell you.

D.Send Sir Gregory at once. (Aside.) This is impossible, impossible.

Fl.See here he comes.

D.(aside). Ah! if this were Frederick’s secret!

Enter Sir Gregory.

2900What is it? Sir Gregory, tell me.

What is it? Sir Gregory, tell me.

GREGORY.

I scarce dare tell your ladyship the tidingsI have to bear.

I scarce dare tell your ladyship the tidings

I have to bear.

D.(aside). It’s true! it’s true!

G.My daughterHas run away with Frederick.

G.My daughter

Has run away with Frederick.

(Diana sinks on a chair; Flora runs to fan her.)

Ah! my lady!What have I done? I was too quick.

Ah! my lady!

What have I done? I was too quick.

D.Nay, nay,Flora, begone. I can hear all. You knew it?

D.Nay, nay,

Flora, begone. I can hear all. You knew it?

G.I had not the least suspicion of the truth;Altho’it needed but the merest trifleTo clear my sight. I chanced to find her gloveIn Frederick’s room. All flashed upon me at once.2910I ran to seek her. She was gone. A messageShe left was given me, that she would be awayAll the afternoon: but since she had taken with herA valise....

G.I had not the least suspicion of the truth;

Altho’it needed but the merest trifle

To clear my sight. I chanced to find her glove

In Frederick’s room. All flashed upon me at once.

I ran to seek her. She was gone. A message

She left was given me, that she would be away

All the afternoon: but since she had taken with her

A valise....

D.She, ’twas she.... O most dissembling,Ungenerous, ungrateful....

D.She, ’twas she.... O most dissembling,

Ungenerous, ungrateful....

Fl.I said ’twas true.

D.Begone at once I bid you.[Exit Flora.

G.I ran in hasteTo tell your ladyship; but for some reasonCould not be admitted: so I took such stepsTo arrest them as I might....

G.I ran in haste

To tell your ladyship; but for some reason

Could not be admitted: so I took such steps

To arrest them as I might....

D.Ha! they are seized?

G.I have since repented of my haste: a letter2920Put in my hands reveals the whole: ’tis passedBeyond prevention. It has been maturingUnder our eyes for months. We must give way.’Tis strange we never guessed it. This very morningI was in Laura’s room; and when we partedShe made such long farewells, and looked at meWith such reluctance, and such brimming eyes,I saw she had some trouble untold; and thinking’Twas her dislike of Nicholas, I repentedI had ever urged the match. I little thought,Dear girl, ’twas sorrow that she dared not tell me2931Her joy.

G.I have since repented of my haste: a letter

Put in my hands reveals the whole: ’tis passed

Beyond prevention. It has been maturing

Under our eyes for months. We must give way.

’Tis strange we never guessed it. This very morning

I was in Laura’s room; and when we parted

She made such long farewells, and looked at me

With such reluctance, and such brimming eyes,

I saw she had some trouble untold; and thinking

’Twas her dislike of Nicholas, I repented

I had ever urged the match. I little thought,

Dear girl, ’twas sorrow that she dared not tell me

Her joy.

D.(aside). Her joy! no doubt! Here’s a fine father!What doth he wish? Ah, doubly have I been fooled.How plain ’tis now to see. The only oneI have never once suspected; the only oneIt could have been. And Frederick must have told herMy love of him. All I would have kept secretAnd thought was hid, hath been as open as day:And what I sought to learn hath been kept from meBy them I trusted to discover it.2940Tristram, no doubt, whom I supposed a fool,Hath merely played with me. Thank heaven they are gone.I’ll never see him again. Befooled: befooled.

D.(aside). Her joy! no doubt! Here’s a fine father!

What doth he wish? Ah, doubly have I been fooled.

How plain ’tis now to see. The only one

I have never once suspected; the only one

It could have been. And Frederick must have told her

My love of him. All I would have kept secret

And thought was hid, hath been as open as day:

And what I sought to learn hath been kept from me

By them I trusted to discover it.

Tristram, no doubt, whom I supposed a fool,

Hath merely played with me. Thank heaven they are gone.

I’ll never see him again. Befooled: befooled.

G.They have been befriended by the Duke of Milan.

D.The Duke of Milan too!

G.It was his letterI spake of. Frederick is, he tells me there,His old school-friend; he begs my pardon for him,Will fête the bride and bridegroom in his palace,And have the Archbishop marry them. ’Tis thitherThey are fled.

G.It was his letter

I spake of. Frederick is, he tells me there,

His old school-friend; he begs my pardon for him,

Will fête the bride and bridegroom in his palace,

And have the Archbishop marry them. ’Tis thither

They are fled.

D.Then all this is a plot of the Duke’s!

2950G.(aside). I dare not tell her more.

G.(aside). I dare not tell her more.

D.Who brought the letter?

G.I wish my dear girl joy. She has chosen well.

D.Who brought the letter?

G.Tristram gave it me.

D.(half-aside). How came he by it?

Re-enter Tristram.

T.My lady! I have something now.

D.Tristram, I bade you leave the court: how dare youAppear before me again?Silence, I say. I know your news: you have servedYour master with such lying skill, I wonderHe did not take you and your Flora with him:There was not room enough perhaps in the coachFor two such couples.

D.Tristram, I bade you leave the court: how dare you

Appear before me again?

Silence, I say. I know your news: you have served

Your master with such lying skill, I wonder

He did not take you and your Flora with him:

There was not room enough perhaps in the coach

For two such couples.

2960T.How, if you please, my lady,Are Flora and I two couples?

T.How, if you please, my lady,

Are Flora and I two couples?

D.Silence. Tell meHow you get letters from the Duke of Milan.

D.Silence. Tell me

How you get letters from the Duke of Milan.

T.How I get letters from the Duke of Milan?

D.There’s nothing now to hide, so tell the truth.

T.I swear, my lady, that I know no moreOf the Duke of Milan than a babe unborn.Your ladyship accused me once beforeOf having been at Milan, when ’twas plainThat I had not gone, and never wished to go.2970Knowing my lady’s strong impartiality,I should not venture.

T.I swear, my lady, that I know no more

Of the Duke of Milan than a babe unborn.

Your ladyship accused me once before

Of having been at Milan, when ’twas plain

That I had not gone, and never wished to go.

Knowing my lady’s strong impartiality,

I should not venture.

D.This will not do.

Enter Ricardo.

(Gregory beckons Tristram aside, and during Diana’s first speech whispers him, and Gregory and Tristram go out.)

RICARDO.

My lady.The culprit is discovered.

My lady.

The culprit is discovered.

D.Ah, Ricardo!I had forgot ... was this thy plan? ... if soI cannot praise thy skill sufficiently.All hath gone well. And since no doubt thou hast servedThy master and his friend in all thou hast done,And under the pretence of aiding meHast been the ready man, more than another,To practise on me, and do me injury;2980I’ll school my patience till I have satisfiedMy curiosity to know what thoughtUrged thee,—whom I confess I wholly trusted,And whom I thought to have made my friend,—that thusAgainst the laws of hospitality,Without the excuse of passion, thou shouldst wrongA lady so unkindly.

D.Ah, Ricardo!

I had forgot ... was this thy plan? ... if so

I cannot praise thy skill sufficiently.

All hath gone well. And since no doubt thou hast served

Thy master and his friend in all thou hast done,

And under the pretence of aiding me

Hast been the ready man, more than another,

To practise on me, and do me injury;

I’ll school my patience till I have satisfied

My curiosity to know what thought

Urged thee,—whom I confess I wholly trusted,

And whom I thought to have made my friend,—that thus

Against the laws of hospitality,

Without the excuse of passion, thou shouldst wrong

A lady so unkindly.

R.Ah, Diana!Hast thou not guessed my secret?

R.Ah, Diana!

Hast thou not guessed my secret?

D.By heaven, sir,Did the Duke send thee here to insult me too?

D.By heaven, sir,

Did the Duke send thee here to insult me too?

R.Dearest Diana, I am the Duke of Milan.

D.Ha! thou! Thy face behind the bush. ’Tis thou.Should I have known it? No. I can thank GodI knew it so little. By help tho’of thy actsI recognize your grace. ’Tis like thee indeed,That hast not scrupled thus to steal upon meMasked and disguised; by forgery and falsehood,Written recommendations of thyself,3000Making thee out to be some gentlemanOf trust and honour. Oh ’tis admirable,The use thou makest of thy rank, to creepInto my secresy, thereby to assistThy friend, my secretary, to elopeWith an orphan and my ward. Haste, haste! I bid thee;Lest thou be late for the feast. Bear them from meMy glad congratulations. (sinks on a chair.)

D.Ha! thou! Thy face behind the bush. ’Tis thou.

Should I have known it? No. I can thank God

I knew it so little. By help tho’of thy acts

I recognize your grace. ’Tis like thee indeed,

That hast not scrupled thus to steal upon me

Masked and disguised; by forgery and falsehood,

Written recommendations of thyself,

Making thee out to be some gentleman

Of trust and honour. Oh ’tis admirable,

The use thou makest of thy rank, to creep

Into my secresy, thereby to assist

Thy friend, my secretary, to elope

With an orphan and my ward. Haste, haste! I bid thee;

Lest thou be late for the feast. Bear them from me

My glad congratulations. (sinks on a chair.)

R.(running to her). Diana! Diana!

D.I need no aid from thee, sir. Nay, begone!

R.In kindness hear what I came here to say.3010In justice hear my answer to the chargesThou hast made. But first I claim my promise.

R.In kindness hear what I came here to say.

In justice hear my answer to the charges

Thou hast made. But first I claim my promise.

D.How!What promise, sir?

D.How!

What promise, sir?

R.Your secretary’s placeIf Frederick left.

R.Your secretary’s place

If Frederick left.

D.Make you me still your jest?

R.O dearest Diana, think not that I jest.I’d be thy secretary all my life,So I might only take the place which FrederickHeld in thy affections.

R.O dearest Diana, think not that I jest.

I’d be thy secretary all my life,

So I might only take the place which Frederick

Held in thy affections.

D.(rising).In my affections! why,What means your grace, I beg?

D.(rising).In my affections! why,

What means your grace, I beg?

R.Diana, Diana!Have I not won thee? Did I not obey thee3020By silence and long absence, till my lifeGrew desperate, and my misery made me boldTo come to thee disguised? I thought that thouPerchance wert adverse to my suit for thinkingI loved thee only for thy beauty’s sake,—Since at first sight I loved and only sight,—And for thy mind’s grace thou wert rightly jealousOf such a passion. Now, if I guess well,I have won some favour in these happy days....

R.Diana, Diana!

Have I not won thee? Did I not obey thee

By silence and long absence, till my life

Grew desperate, and my misery made me bold

To come to thee disguised? I thought that thou

Perchance wert adverse to my suit for thinking

I loved thee only for thy beauty’s sake,—

Since at first sight I loved and only sight,—

And for thy mind’s grace thou wert rightly jealous

Of such a passion. Now, if I guess well,

I have won some favour in these happy days....

D.Favour!

R.And if thou hast dreamed thou hast loved another,3030’Tis no impediment: for first this man,Whom thou hast honoured is my nearest friend;And not to have loved him were to have disregardedThe only part of me thou ever knewest.But him, for very lack of loving rightlyThou hast much mistaken and wronged, and, as I think,Now for misunderstanding bearest ill-will.

R.And if thou hast dreamed thou hast loved another,

’Tis no impediment: for first this man,

Whom thou hast honoured is my nearest friend;

And not to have loved him were to have disregarded

The only part of me thou ever knewest.

But him, for very lack of loving rightly

Thou hast much mistaken and wronged, and, as I think,

Now for misunderstanding bearest ill-will.

D.I bear him no ill-will, your grace.

R.Nor me?

D.But what you have done?

R.Love can excuse me all.What woman judges by proprietiesThe man who would die for her, and who without her3041Regards not life? Passion atones my fault.

R.Love can excuse me all.

What woman judges by proprieties

The man who would die for her, and who without her

Regards not life? Passion atones my fault.

D.Your only excuse is your offence.

R.’Tis thus:If I am not pardoned, I am not loved; but ifI am loved, I am pardoned. If thou sayst to meI never knew thee, but I know thee now,And like thee not: thy three years’love for meI count for nothing, thy devotion nothing,Thy misery nothing: thy adventure hereI set against thee; and the hour thou goest3050I shall lose nothing: If thou canst say this,Speak ... and I promiseTo turn away for ever. Is that thy mind?

R.’Tis thus:

If I am not pardoned, I am not loved; but if

I am loved, I am pardoned. If thou sayst to me

I never knew thee, but I know thee now,

And like thee not: thy three years’love for me

I count for nothing, thy devotion nothing,

Thy misery nothing: thy adventure here

I set against thee; and the hour thou goest

I shall lose nothing: If thou canst say this,

Speak ... and I promise

To turn away for ever. Is that thy mind?

D.Is’t possible?

R.What possible?

D.Thy-—-truth.

R.My love? Nay, love’s a miracle, a thingThat cannot be where it seems possible,And where ’tis most incredible is most worthOur credit.

R.My love? Nay, love’s a miracle, a thing

That cannot be where it seems possible,

And where ’tis most incredible is most worth

Our credit.

D.That is true.

R.That thou didst doubtWas worthy of the greatness of my love.But now I claim thy faith. Thou mayst believe,3060Thou must believe. Indeed, indeed, Diana,Thou mayst believe. Look’st thou to find love strong?I have heavenly security:—devoted?I have no self but thee:—patient? I pleadThree years of patience:—humble? I was contentTo be thy servant:—wise? I knew thee betterThan thou thyself; I knew that thou must love:Or is love tender?—See my childish tearsCrowd now to hear my sentence.

R.That thou didst doubt

Was worthy of the greatness of my love.

But now I claim thy faith. Thou mayst believe,

Thou must believe. Indeed, indeed, Diana,

Thou mayst believe. Look’st thou to find love strong?

I have heavenly security:—devoted?

I have no self but thee:—patient? I plead

Three years of patience:—humble? I was content

To be thy servant:—wise? I knew thee better

Than thou thyself; I knew that thou must love:

Or is love tender?—See my childish tears

Crowd now to hear my sentence.

D.Ah, this were love,If it were só.

D.Ah, this were love,

If it were só.

R.Diana, it is so.There is nought to-day in all the world but this,3071I love thee.

R.Diana, it is so.

There is nought to-day in all the world but this,

I love thee.

D.Alas! how was I wrong! Sir, sir!Thou bringst me, or at least thou seemst to bring me,The gift of God. Whether it be so or noHow can I tell? ’Twould wrong it—nay I cannotTake it in haste. I cannot. I understand.Nay, leave me. I know not what to say ... your blindAttachment, is’t not cured?

D.Alas! how was I wrong! Sir, sir!

Thou bringst me, or at least thou seemst to bring me,

The gift of God. Whether it be so or no

How can I tell? ’Twould wrong it—nay I cannot

Take it in haste. I cannot. I understand.

Nay, leave me. I know not what to say ... your blind

Attachment, is’t not cured?

R.Cure all but thatBy my acceptance. (kneels.) I am thy true lover,Thy only lover. Bid me rise beloved.

R.Cure all but that

By my acceptance. (kneels.) I am thy true lover,

Thy only lover. Bid me rise beloved.

3080D.Hush, some one comes. Rise! rise!

D.Hush, some one comes. Rise! rise!

R.Thy hand! ’tis mine, ’tis mine.

(Kisses it and rises.)

Enter St. Nicholas with Gregory. Frederick and Laura following.

ST. NICHOLAS.

They are caught, your ladyship: they are caught,Driving away together: and FrederickWas making love to Laura in the coach.

They are caught, your ladyship: they are caught,

Driving away together: and Frederick

Was making love to Laura in the coach.

R.Now now! how’s this? Frederick so soon returned;And taken by the honeysucker!

R.Now now! how’s this? Frederick so soon returned;

And taken by the honeysucker!

N.Sir,Your honeysucking Frederick would have robbedMy sweetest flower: but like a skimming swallowThat takes a fly in his beak, I snapped him upAt the park gate.

N.Sir,

Your honeysucking Frederick would have robbed

My sweetest flower: but like a skimming swallow

That takes a fly in his beak, I snapped him up

At the park gate.

3090R.He’ll prove a bitter morsel,I fear, St. Nicholas.

R.He’ll prove a bitter morsel,

I fear, St. Nicholas.

N.My lady, speak.What shall be done to them that have infringedThe laws of the court? Whatever punishment,I pray it fall on Frederick with more weightThan on my Laura. I would not have such rigourAs might defer our marriage.

N.My lady, speak.

What shall be done to them that have infringed

The laws of the court? Whatever punishment,

I pray it fall on Frederick with more weight

Than on my Laura. I would not have such rigour

As might defer our marriage.

(Gregory goes to Laura. Ricardo to Frederick.)

D.I shall award my judgment on you two,Who have mocked not my rules only, but the commonConventions of society, and preferring3100The unwritten statutes of the court of MilanHave joined to act a lie, and me, your friend,Deceived and wronged, whom ye had done well to trust.One only honourable course is left—My judgment on you is that you be marriedAs soon as may be. Therefore, Frederick,I beg that you will draw the contract upBetween yourself and Laura with all speed.And that my sister shall not lack a portion,I will endow her with as goodly a sumAs what St. Nicholas promised. Now this time3111Let there be no mistake.

D.I shall award my judgment on you two,

Who have mocked not my rules only, but the common

Conventions of society, and preferring

The unwritten statutes of the court of Milan

Have joined to act a lie, and me, your friend,

Deceived and wronged, whom ye had done well to trust.

One only honourable course is left—

My judgment on you is that you be married

As soon as may be. Therefore, Frederick,

I beg that you will draw the contract up

Between yourself and Laura with all speed.

And that my sister shall not lack a portion,

I will endow her with as goodly a sum

As what St. Nicholas promised. Now this time

Let there be no mistake.

N.What’s this, Sir Gregory?Cannot you hear?

N.What’s this, Sir Gregory?

Cannot you hear?

FREDERICK.

Your ladyship, I am boundFor ever to your service.

Your ladyship, I am bound

For ever to your service.

L.(to D.).Am I forgiven, Diana?

F.(to R.). Richard, how’s this?

R.(to F.). I have won. (aloud.) And let me sayThat I for friendship’s sake will do as muchToward Lady Laura’s portion as the Countess.

R.(to F.). I have won. (aloud.) And let me say

That I for friendship’s sake will do as much

Toward Lady Laura’s portion as the Countess.

N.Sir Gregory ... Sir Gregory!Is this the way I am treated? You do not hear?Sir Gregory, speak!

N.Sir Gregory ... Sir Gregory!

Is this the way I am treated? You do not hear?

Sir Gregory, speak!

G.(to N.). I hear not what is said, St. Nicholas:3130But I can see: and since you have caught your brideRunning away, you must not look to meTo help you hold her. Surely what I promisedI promised in good faith: but what hath happenedSets me at liberty. (Laura goes to Gregory.)

G.(to N.). I hear not what is said, St. Nicholas:

But I can see: and since you have caught your bride

Running away, you must not look to me

To help you hold her. Surely what I promised

I promised in good faith: but what hath happened

Sets me at liberty. (Laura goes to Gregory.)

N.And I am left out?Am I a sacrifice?

N.And I am left out?

Am I a sacrifice?

D.Sir, be consoled:You were not more deceived than I.

D.Sir, be consoled:

You were not more deceived than I.

N.At leastTristram shall not escape. I do beseech youHe may be punished for stealing my sonnet,And shutting me in the cupboard.

N.At least

Tristram shall not escape. I do beseech you

He may be punished for stealing my sonnet,

And shutting me in the cupboard.

Re-enter Tristram and Flora.

D.Who come here?

3140T. and Fl.My lady, we ask for pardon.

T. and Fl.My lady, we ask for pardon.

R.I take on meTo speak for them.

R.I take on me

To speak for them.

D.No need for that, your grace;They are forgiven.

D.No need for that, your grace;

They are forgiven.

N.Why doth she say 'your grace’.

T.(to R.). Ah, why 'your grace’indeed?

R.This Tristram hereHath done us many a service. Flora tooHath played a useful part. May not their marriageFollow on ours, Diana?

R.This Tristram here

Hath done us many a service. Flora too

Hath played a useful part. May not their marriage

Follow on ours, Diana?

N.Yours!

T.(to audience sympathetically). His!

D.They may have so much promise with all my heart.

T.Thank you, my lady.3150I never did understand anything in the ‘Humours of this Court,’ and I never shall.

T.Thank you, my lady.

I never did understand anything in the ‘Humours of this Court,’ and I never shall.

FINIS

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