EnterRobinandMolly.
EnterRobinandMolly.
EnterRobinandMolly.
Robin.I have brought your supper, sir.
Poly.Leave it, leave it. And you, Mrs. Molly, what do you want here? (Robin takes the tray into the room.)
Molly.(Slyly) I came to ask whether I should clear away the broken glass yonder. Why, now, if there isn’t some conjuration there? You told Master Eustace the key was inside the door, and see if it hasn’t opened of itself. (Aside.) Then I was right after all.
Poly.Ahem! you may go—you may go.
Molly.I hope, sir, you’ll forgive my suspicions. (Sees the bonnet.) O, ho!
Poly.Begone I say! and, in future, beware how you accuse an innocent person.
Molly.Yes, sir, if you please; and I repent it the more, seeing, as I do, the proofs of your innocence before me.
Poly.Light my lanthorn. (To Robin, who returns.) I am going to walk.
Robin.At this time, sir; and in such weather? Why it is pouring of rain.
Poly.No matter—I—I have a head-ache and want air. Begone! both of you, and woe be to you if I find either of you here at my return! (They go off.) There is not an instant to be lost. The poor innocent baby must not become a victim to the old man’s displeasure; and if he should reach the pavilion before me—Into what a labyrinth has my affection for my pupil led me!
[Exit.
EnterMolly,cautiously;Robinfollowing.
EnterMolly,cautiously;Robinfollowing.
EnterMolly,cautiously;Robinfollowing.
Molly.Robin, run and tell old Master Eustace to come here immediately.
Robin.Why, what would you be at now?
Molly.She’s here; I’m sure of it.
Robin.Who’s here?
Molly.Mr. Ignoramus’s Miss.
Robin.I’ll not go and tell master any such thing. You know you have got into one scrape already this evening by telling a fib.
Molly.But this time I have proof positive. (Takes up the bonnet.) Look here.
Robin.Why, that does look rather queer, to be sure. But what does that signify? Depend upon it, she’s gone.
Molly.How can that be? Haven’t I been watching outside? Besides, the gates are locked.
Robin.Where can she be then?
Molly.There! I hear her move. Run, quick; fetch master.
Robin.And yet I don’t like to tell upon old tutorer, neither.
Molly.Wouldn’t he have told upon us? But we’ll let master see what a sly old fox he has got in his house. Go, I tell you. (Forces him off.) Now, Mr. Pollypot, I’ll teach you something better than Greek, I will. Ah! here comes Mr. Charles. He’ll be delighted at this, for the tutorer leads the poor lad such a life, that he’ll be glad enough to get quit of him, I warrant me.
EnterCharles,from garden.
EnterCharles,from garden.
EnterCharles,from garden.
Charles.My anxiety is insupportable; and at all risks I must——Why, Molly, what do you want here?
Molly.O, sir, I have such news for you! You are the only one in the house who is kind to me, and now I’ll prove my gratitude. I’ll soon get the tutorer turned away, and make you your own master.
Charles.What do you mean?
Molly.I have discovered it at last. She is here after all.
Charles.Is the girl out of her senses?
Molly.No, no; here’s proof! here’s the creature’s bonnet; and I’ve sent Robin to bring your father here.
Charles.Sent for my father! Unhappy girl, what have you done!
Molly.Lord, Mr. Charles, what ails you?
Charles.Alas! you know not the mischief you have effected. ’Tis not he who is to blame; he has interfered but to serve me: the lady, who is here concealed, is my wife.
Molly.(With mingled astonishment and grief.) Your wife!
Charles.This precipitate disclosure has rendered abortive our hopes of obtaining pardon from my father. Your malicious curiosity has destroyed the happiness of us all.
Molly.(Bursting into tears.) O, Mr. Charles, indeed, indeed, if I had but known——you, who are so good, so kind——. But dont’ee grieve, dont’ee now. I’ll die rather than harm you.—I’ll take all the blame upon myself.—There may yet be time; I’ll run and stop Robin. (Going.)
Robin.(Without.) This way, sir, this way.
Molly.O, I am indeed an unhappy girl. But, Mr. Charles, dear Mr. Charles, dont’ee be downcast. Leave it to me, I’ll get you through, though I lose my place, I will. (Hastily wipes her eyes, and assumes an air of composure.)
EnterEustace(in his dressing gown)preceded byRobin.
EnterEustace(in his dressing gown)preceded byRobin.
EnterEustace(in his dressing gown)preceded byRobin.
Robin.Yes, sir, Molly says you may now be convinced.
Eustace.So. You here, Charles?
Charles.Yes, sir, I—I heard a noise, and was fearful——
Eustace.’Tis well; stay where you are: the scene you are about to witness will serve you as a lessonwhich may last you your life. (To Robin and Molly.) As for you, if you have called me out of my bed by another such a rigmarole as the last,——
Robin.O, no, sir, it is all sure enough this time. (To Molly, who makes signs to him.) I had trouble enough to persuade master, but he is come at last, you see.
Molly.Well, and what for?
Robin.What for! Why, to be sure, you know well enough. The lady, you know.
Molly.What lady? What is the simpleton talking about?
Robin.Why the lady that is concealed here.
Molly.Robin, you have been at the ale-barrel.
Robin.O, the little gipsey! Didn’t you tell me,—
Molly.No, it isn’t true.
Robin.Well, hang me but——. And I suppose you’ll say you didn’t send me to bring master.
Molly.To be sure I will, for it’s false.
Robin.And that bonnet—
Molly.(Putting it on.) It is mine. Master, there ben’t a true word in all he is telling you. (Pinches his arm.) Can’t you hold your tongue.
Robin.Oh!—that isn’t the way to make me. Master, I say again——
Molly.And I say, Master,——
Eustace.Hold your tongues, both of you. There is some mystery here. The evident alarm of that girl—(To Molly, who is about to speak.) Silence! (Takes a candle, and looks into the room at the left hand.)
Charles.I almost sink with dread.
Molly.(To Robin.) I’ve a great mind never to marry you for this.
Eustace.(Returns.) No one there. (Goes to the opposite door.) The door is locked. (Gives three taps.)
Harriet.(Within.) Is that my kind protector?
Eustace.(Staggering away.) Her kind protector! ’Tis but too true, then! The old hypocrite! thus to deceive me and dishonour my house! The monster shall instantly quit it, and for ever. Hush! some one approaches! ’tis he: silence, I command. (He extinguishes the lights.)
EnterPolyglot,with his dark lanthorn; MasterFrederickis concealed under his cloak. He goes directly, but cautiously, to the door.
Poly.(In an under tone.) Open—open quickly—’tis I. I have secured our precious charge. Now, quick; let us away, or we may be interrupted by old Argus.
EnterHarriet.
EnterHarriet.
EnterHarriet.
Eustace.You are right, for old Argus has you.
Harriet.O, heavens! I’m lost! (Robin lights the candles.)
Eustace.No, madam, you are found. And you! Is it thus you repay the confidence I have reposed in you? Are you the man I have selected as a guide, as a monitor to my son? A female concealed in your apartment!
Charles.My dear father, I must no longer allow—
Eustace.Peace! And what is it you are endeavouring to hide there?
Poly.Nothing—a mere trifle.
Eustace.I insist upon knowing. (Draws open his cloak and discovers Master Frederick.) You call this a trifle do you?
Harriet.(Running towards him.) My Frederick! my child!
Eustace.O!—Now what have you to say for yourself?
Poly.That itisa Frederick—a child I mean,—I confess; but suffer me to explain, and——
Eustace.Explanation is needless: your—mere trifle—explains itself. And yet I would hope you are not the monster you appear. Answer me one question: Is the lady your wife?
Poly.No, no; yet if you would only——
Eustace.The unblushing sinner! Then, will you marry her?
Poly.(To Charles.) I have done and suffered much to serve you: I can’t do that, you know.
Eustace.Do you hesitate?
Charles.Will you but listen to me, sir?
Eustace.No, I will listen to but one thing only. (To Poly.) When a man has committed an error, is it not his first duty to do what he can to repair it?
Poly.Granted.
Eustace.To restore her respectability to the woman he has betrayed?
Poly.Granted.
Eustace.To protect and bestow his name upon his child.
Poly.Granted. (To Charles, who is about to interrupt him.) Further concealment is impossible. (To Eustace.) But suppose his family should refuse——
Eustace.Refuse! In such a case, no honest member of it would refuse to sanction the union; if he did, he would share in the guilt of the offender.
Poly.I am quite of your opinion.
Eustace.Then why hesitate?
Poly.The lady is already married; but if you would just have the kindness to repeat to your son all you have said to me——
Eustace.My son!
Charles.Yes, sir; we throw ourselves at your feet, and implore your pardon. This lady is my wife.
Eustace.How! married! without consulting me! Leave me, ungrateful boy!
Charles.Will not the choice I have made procure your forgiveness, sir!
Poly.Let me intercede for them. Remember the lecture you have just delivered to me. Practice what you preach. Besides, you can’t unmarry them, you know.
Eustace.And when I had another scheme in view for him?
Poly.It is all as it should be. You wished him to marry—what can it signify?—there he is, without farther ado, ready married to your hands.
Robin.You save the trouble and expenseof a wedding.
Harriet.You have a daughter who will love you.
Molly.And a little grandson ready made, master.
Eustace.But the example——
Molly.’Tis a good one, master; and, if you please, Robin and I will follow it.
Eustace.Well—well—since it is so: but there is a little urchin who, I foresee, will one of these days play us a similar trick.
Poly.Never fear: place him under my care—you know me; and I give him twenty years’ notice, that if he too should attempt to elude my vigilance—Ah me! as I have done for the father, so shall I doubtless be induced to do for the son; and I trust to your indulgence for my re-appearance in the character of—Scape-Goat.
THE END.
THE END.
THE END.