ACT II

The same morning. Justice Merton’s parlour, furnished anddesigned in the style of the early colonial period.On the right wall, hangs a portrait of the Justiceas a young man; on the left wall, an old-fashionedlooking-glass. At the right of the room standsthe Glass of Truth, draped—as in the blacksmithshop—with the strange, embroidered curtain.In front of it are discoveredRachelandRichard;Rachel is about to draw the curtain.RACHELNow! Are you willing?RICHARDSo you suspect me of dark, villainous practices?RACHELNo, no, foolish Dick.RICHARDStill, I am to be tested; is that it?RACHELThat’s it.RICHARDAs your true lover.RACHELWell, yes.RICHARDWhy, of course, then, I consent. A true lover alwaysconsents to the follies of his lady-love.RACHELThank you, Dick; I trust the glass will sustain yourcharacter. Now; when I draw the curtain—RICHARD[Staying her hand.]What if I be false?RACHELThen, sir, the glass will reflect you as the subtle fox thatyou are.RICHARDAnd you—as the goose?RACHELVery likely. Ah! but, Richard dear, we mustn’t laugh. It mayprove very serious. You do not guess—you do not dream all themysteries—RICHARD[Shaking his head, with a grave smile.]You pluck at too many mysteries; sometime they may burn yourfingers. Remember our first mother Eve!RACHELBut this is the glass of truth; and Goody Rickby told me—RICHARDRickby, forsooth!RACHELNay, come; let’s have it over.[She draws the curtain, covers her eyes, steps back by Richard’sside, looks at the glass, and gives a joyous cry.]Ah! there you are, dear! There we are, both of us—just aswe have always seemed to each other, true. ’Tis proved. Isn’tit wonderful?RICHARDMiraculous! That a mirror bought in a blacksmith shop,before sunrise, for twenty pounds, should prove to beactually—a mirror!RACHELRichard, I’m so happy.[EnterJustice MertonandMistress Merton.]RICHARD[Embracing her.]Happy, art thou, sweet goose? Why, then, God bless GoodyRickby.JUSTICE MERTONStrange words from you, Squire Talbot.[Rachel and Richard part quickly; Rachel draws thecurtain over the mirror; Richard stands stiffly.]RICHARDJustice Merton! Why, sir, the old witch is more innocent,perhaps, than I represented her.JUSTICE MERTONA witch, believe me, is never innocent.[Taking their hands, he brings them together and kissesRachel on the forehead.]Permit me, young lovers. I was once young myself, young andamorous.MISTRESS MERTON[In a low voice.]Verily!JUSTICE MERTONMy fair niece, my worthy young man, beware of witchcraft.MISTRESS MERTONAnd Goody Rickby, too, brother?JUSTICE MERTONThat woman shall answer for her deeds. She is proscribed.RACHELProscribed? What is that?MISTRESS MERTON[Examining the mirror.]What is this?JUSTICE MERTONShe shall hang.RACHELUncle, no! Not merely because of my purchase this morning.JUSTICE MERTONYour purchase?MISTRESS MERTON[Pointing to the mirror.]That, I suppose.JUSTICE MERTONWhat! you purchased that mirror of her? You brought it here?RACHELNo, the boy brought it; I found it here when I returned.JUSTICE MERTONWhat! From her! You purchased it? From her shop? From herinfamous den, into my parlour![To Mistress Merton.]Call the servant.[Himself calling.]Micah! This instant, this instant—away with it! Micah!RACHELUncle Gilead, I bought—JUSTICE MERTONMicah, I say! Where is the man?RACHELListen, Uncle. I bought it with my own money.JUSTICE MERTONThine own money! Wilt have the neighbours gossip? Wilt haveme, thyself, my house, suspected of complicity with witches?[EnterMicah.]Micah, take this away.MICAHYes, sir; but, sir—JUSTICE MERTONOut of my house!MICAHThere be visitors.JUSTICE MERTONAway with—MISTRESS MERTON[Touching his arm.]Gilead!MICAHVisitors, sir; gentry.JUSTICE MERTONAh!MICAHShall I show them in, sir?JUSTICE MERTONVisitors! In the morning? Who are they?MICAHStrangers, sir. I should judge they be very high gentry;lords, sir.ALLLords!MICAHAt least, one on ’em, sir. The other—the darkgentleman—told me they left their horses at the inn, sir.MISTRESS MERTONHark![The faces of all wear suddenly a startled expression.]Where is that unearthly sound?JUSTICE MERTON[Listening.]Is it in the cellar?MICAH’Tis just the dog howling, madam. When he spied the gentryhe turned tail and run below.MISTRESS MERTONOh, the dog!JUSTICE MERTONShow the gentlemen here, Micah. Don’t keep them waiting.[ExitMicah.]A lord![To Rachel.]We shall talk of this matter later.—A lord![Turning to the small glass on the wall, he arranges hisperuke and attire.]RACHEL[To Richard.]What a fortunate interruption! But, dear Dick! I wish weneedn’t meet these strangers now.RICHARDWould you really rather we were alone together?[They chat aside, absorbed in each other.]JUSTICE MERTONThink of it, Cynthia, a lord!MISTRESS MERTON[Dusting the furniture hastily with her handkerchief.]And such dust!RACHEL[To Richard.]You know, dear, we need only be introduced, and then we cansteal away together.[Re-enterMicah.]MICAH[Announcing.]Lord Ravensbane: Marquis of Oxford, Baron of Wittenberg,Elector of Worms, and Count of Cordova; Master Dickonson.[EnterRavensbaneandDickon.]JUSTICE MERTONGentlemen, permit me, you are excessively welcome. I amdeeply gratified to meet—DICKONLord Ravensbane, of the Rookeries, Somersetshire.JUSTICE MERTONLord Ravensbane—his lordship’s most truly honoured.RAVENSBANETruly honoured.JUSTICE MERTON[Turning to Dickon.]His lordship’s—?DICKONTutor.JUSTICE MERTON[Checking his effusiveness.]Ah, so!DICKONJustice Merton, I believe.JUSTICE MERTONOf Merton House.—May I present—permit me, your lordship—mysister, Mistress Merton.RAVENSBANEMistress Merton.JUSTICE MERTONAnd my—and my—[Under his breath.]Rachel![Rachel remains with a bored expression behind Richard.]—my young neighbour, Squire Talbot, Squire Richard Talbotof—of—RICHARDOf nowhere, sir.RAVENSBANE[Nods.]Nowhere.JUSTICE MERTONAnd permit me, Lord Ravensbane, my niece—Mistress RachelMerton.RAVENSBANE[Bows low.]Mistress Rachel Merton.RACHEL[Courtesies.]Lord Ravensbane.[As they raise their heads, their eyes meet and are fascinated.Dickon just then takes Ravensbane’s pipe and fills it.]RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel!RACHELYour lordship![Dickon returns the pipe.]MISTRESS MERTONA pipe! Gilead!—in the parlour![Justice Merton frowns silence.]JUSTICE MERTONYour lordship—ahem!—has just arrived in town?DICKONFrom London, via New Amsterdam.RICHARD[Aside.]Is he staring atyou? Are you ill, Rachel?RACHEL[Indifferently.]What?JUSTICE MERTONLord Ravensbane honours my humble roof.DICKON[Touches Ravensbane’s arm.]Your lordship—“roof.”RAVENSBANE[Starting, turns to Merton.]Nay, sir, the roof of my father’s oldest friend bestowsgenerous hospitality upon his only son.JUSTICE MERTONOnly son—ah, yes! Your father—RAVENSBANEMy father, I trust, sir, has never forgotten the intimatecompanionship, the touching devotion, the unceasing solicitudefor his happiness which you, sir, manifested to him in thedays of his youth.JUSTICE MERTONReally, your lordship, the—the slight favours which—hem!some years ago, I was privileged to show your illustriousfather—RAVENSBANEPermit me!—Because, however, of his present infirmities—forI regret to say that my father is suffering a temporary aberrationof mind—JUSTICE MERTONYou distress me!RAVENSBANEMy lady mother has charged me with a double mission here inNew England. On my quitting my home, sir, to explore thewideness and the mystery of this world, my mother bade me besure to call upon his worship, the Justice Merton; and deliverto him, first, my father’s remembrances; and secondly, mymother’s epistle.DICKON[Handing to Justice Merton a sealed document.]Her ladyship’s letter, sir.JUSTICE MERTON[Examining the seal with awe, speaks aside toMistress Merton.]Cynthia!—a crested seal!DICKONHis lordship’s crest, sir: rooks rampant.JUSTICE MERTON[Embarrassed, breaks the seal.]Permit me.RACHEL[Looking at Ravensbane.]Have you noticed his bearing, Richard: what personaldistinction! what inbred nobility! Every inch a true lord!RICHARDHe may be a lord, my dear, but he walks like a broomstick.RACHELHow dare you![Turns abruptly away; as she does so, a fold of hergown catches in a chair.]DICKON[To Justice Merton.]A word, sir.JUSTICE MERTON[Glancing up from the letter.]I am astonished—overpowered!RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel—permit me.[Stooping, he extricates the fold of her gown.]RACHELOh, thank you.[They go aside together.]RICHARD[To Mistress Merton.]So Lord Ravensbane and his family are old friends of yours?MISTRESS MERTON[Monosyllabically.]I never heard the name before, Richard.RICHARDWhy! but I thought that your brother, the Justice—MISTRESS MERTONThe Justice is reticent.RICHARDAh!MISTRESS MERTONEspecially concerning his youth.RICHARDAh!RAVENSBANE[To Rachel, taking her hand after a whisper from Dickon.]Believe me, sweet lady, it will give me the deepest pleasure.RACHELCan you really tell fortunes?RAVENSBANEMore than that; I can bestow them.JUSTICE MERTON[To Dickon.]But is her ladyship really serious? An offer of marriage!DICKONPray read it again, sir.JUSTICE MERTON[Reads.]“To the Worshipful, the Justice Gilead Merton,“Merton House.“My Honourable Friend and Benefactor:“With these brief lines I commend to you ourson”—ourson!DICKONShe speaks likewise for his young lordship’s father, sir.JUSTICE MERTONAh! of course.[Reads.]“In a strange land, I intrust him to you as to a father.”Honoured, believe me! “I have only to add my earnest hope thatthe natural gifts, graces, and inherited fortune”—ah—!DICKONTwenty thousand pounds—on his father’s demise.JUSTICE MERTONAh!—“fortune of this young scion of nobility will sopropitiate the heart of your niece, Mistress Rachel Merton,as to cause her to accept his proffered hand in matrimony;”—but—but—but Squire Talbot is betrothed to—well, well, weshall see;—“in matrimony, and thus cement the early bonds ofinterest and affection between your honoured self and hislordship’s father; not to mention, dear sir, your worship’sever grateful and obedient admirer,“Elizabeth,“Marchioness of R.”Of R.! of R.! Will you believe me, my dear sir, so long isit since my travels in England—I visited at so many—hem!noble estates—permit me, it is so awkward, but—DICKON[With his peculiar intonation of Act I.]Not at all.JUSTICE MERTON[Starting.]I—I confess, sir, my youthful memory fails me. Will you beso very obliging; this—this Marchioness of R.—?DICKON[Enjoying his discomfiture.]Yes?JUSTICE MERTONThe R, I presume, stands for—DICKONRickby.RAVENSBANE[Calls.]Dickon, my pipe![Dickon glides away to fill Ravensbane’s pipe.]JUSTICE MERTON[Stands bewildered and horror-struck.]Great God!—Thou inexorable Judge!RICHARD[To Mistress Merton, scowling at Ravensbane and Rachel.]Are these court manners, in London?MISTRESS MERTONDon’t askme, Richard.RAVENSBANE[Dejectedly to Rachel, as Dickon is refilling his pipe.]Alas! Mistress Rachel is cruel.RACHELI?—cruel, your lordship?RAVENSBANEYour own white hand has written it.[Lifting her palm.]See, these lines: Rejection! you will reject one who lovesyou dearly.RACHELFie, your lordship! Be not cast down at fortune-telling. Letme tell yours, may I?RAVENSBANE[Rapturously holding his palm for her to examine.]Ah! Permit me.JUSTICE MERTON[Murmurs, in terrible agitation.]Dickon! Can it be Dickon?RACHELWhy, Lord Ravensbane, your pulse. Really, if I am cruel, youare quite heartless. I declare I can’t feel your heart beat at all.RAVENSBANEAh! mistress, that is because I have just lost it.RACHEL[Archly.]Where?RAVENSBANE[Faintly.]Dickon, my pipe!RACHELAlas! my lord, are you ill?DICKON[Restoring the lighted pipe to Ravensbane, speaks aside.]Pardon me, sweet young lady, I must confide to you that hislordship’s heart is peculiarly responsive to his emotions.When he feels very ardently, it quite stops. Hence the use ofhis pipe.RACHELOh! Is smoking, then, necessary for his heart?DICKONAbsolutely—to equilibrate the valvular palpitations.Without his pipe—should his lordship experience, forinstance, the emotion of love—he might die.RACHELYou alarm me!DICKONBut this is for you only, Mistress Rachel. We may confide in you?RACHELOh, utterly, sir.DICKONHis lordship, you know, is so sensitive.RAVENSBANE[To Rachel.]You have given it back to me. Why did not you keep it?RACHELWhat, my lord?RAVENSBANEMy heart.JUSTICE MERTON[To Dickon.]Permit me, one moment; I did not catch your name.DICKONMy name? Dickonson.JUSTICE MERTON[With a gasp of relief.]Ah, Dickonson! Thank you. I mistook the word.DICKONA compound, your worship.[With a malignant smile.]Dickon-[Then jerking his thumb over his shoulderat Ravensbane.]son![Bowing.]Both at your service.JUSTICE MERTONIf—if you can show pity—speak low.DICKONAs hell, your worship?JUSTICE MERTONIs he—he there?DICKONBessie’s brat; yes; it didn’t die, after all, poor suckling!Dickon weaned it. Saved it for balm of Gilead. Raised it forjoyful home-coming. Prodigal’s return! Twenty-first birthday!Happy son! Happy father!JUSTICE MERTONMy—son!DICKONFelicitations!JUSTICE MERTONI will not believe it.DICKONTruth is hard fare.JUSTICE MERTON[Faintly.]What—what do you want?DICKONOnly the happiness of your dear ones.[Indicating Rachel and Ravensbane.]The union of these young hearts and hands.JUSTICE MERTONWhat! he will dare—an illegitimate—DICKONFie, fie, Gilly! Why, the brat is a lord now.JUSTICE MERTONOh, the disgrace! Spare me that, Dickon.RICHARD[In a low voice to Rachel, who is talking in afascinated manner to Ravensbane.]Are you mad?RACHEL[Indifferently.]What is the matter?[Laughing, to Ravensbane.]Oh, your lordship is too witty!JUSTICE MERTON[To Dickon.]After all, I was young then.DICKONQuite so.JUSTICE MERTONAnd she is innocent; she is already betrothed.DICKONTwiddle-twaddle! Look at her eyes now![Rachel is still telling Ravensbane’s fortune;and they are manifestly absorbed in each other.]’Tis a brilliant match; besides, her ladyship’s heart is setupon it.JUSTICE MERTONHer ladyship—?DICKONThe Marchioness of Rickby.JUSTICE MERTON[Glowering.]I had forgotten.DICKONHer ladyship has never forgotten. So, you see, yourworship’s alternatives are most simple. Alternative one:advance his lordship’s suit with your niece as speedily aspossible, and save all scandal. Alternative two: impede hislordship’s suit, and—JUSTICE MERTONDon’t, Dickon! don’t reveal the truth; not disgrace now!DICKONGood; we are agreed, then?JUSTICE MERTONI have no choice.DICKON[Cheerfully.]Why, true; we ignored that, didn’t we?MISTRESS MERTON[Approaching.]This young lord—Why, Gilead, are you ill?JUSTICE MERTON[With a great effort, commands himself.]Not in the least.MISTRESS MERTONRachel’s deportment, my dear brother—RACHELI am really at a loss. Your lordship’s hand is so verypeculiar.RAVENSBANEAh! Peculiar.RACHELThis, now, is the line of life.RAVENSBANEOf life, yes?RACHELBut it begins so abruptly, and see! it breaks off and endsnowhere. And just so here with this line—the line of—oflove.RAVENSBANEOf love. So; it breaks?RACHELYes.RAVENSBANEAh, then, that must be theheartline.RACHELI am afraid your lordship is very fickle.MISTRESS MERTON[Horrified.]I tell you, Gilead, they are fortune-telling!JUSTICE MERTONTush! Tush!MISTRESS MERTONTush? “Tush” tome? Tush![Richard, who has been stifling his feelings at Rachel’srebuff, and has stood fidgeting at a civil distancefrom her, now walks up to Justice Merton.]RICHARDIntolerable! Do you approve ofthis, sir? Are LordRavensbane’s credentials satisfactory?JUSTICE MERTONEminently, eminently.RICHARDAh! So her ladyship’s letter is—JUSTICE MERTONCharming; charming.RICHARDTo be sure; old friends, when they are lords, it makes sucha difference.DICKONTrue friends—old friends;New friends—cold friends.N’est ce pas, your worship?JUSTICE MERTONIndeed, Master Dickonson; indeed![To Richard, as Dickon goes towardRavensbane and Rachel.]What happiness to encounter the manners of the nobility!RICHARDIf you approve them, sir, it is sufficient. This is your house.[He turns away.]JUSTICE MERTONYour lordship will, I trust, make my house your home.RAVENSBANEMy home, sir.RACHEL[To Dickon, who has spoken to her.]Really?[To Justice Merton.]Why, uncle, what is this Master Dickonson tells us?JUSTICE MERTONWhat! What! he has revealed—RACHELYes, indeed. Why did you never tell us?JUSTICE MERTONRachel! Rachel!MISTRESS MERTONYou are moved, brother.RACHEL[Laughingly to Ravensbane.]My uncle is doubtless astonished to find you so grown.RAVENSBANE[Laughingly to Justice Merton.]I am doubtless astonished, sir, to be so grown.JUSTICE MERTON[To Dickon.]You have—DICKONRemarked, sir, that your worship had often dandled hislordship—as an infant.JUSTICE MERTON[Smiling lugubriously.]Quite so—as an infant merely.RACHELHow interesting! Then you must have seen his lordship’s homein England.JUSTICE MERTONAs you say.RACHEL[To Ravensbane.]Do describe it to us. We are so isolated here from the grandworld. Do you know, I always imagine England to be anenchanted isle, like one of the old Hesperides, teeming withfruits of solid gold.RAVENSBANEAh, yes! my mother raises them.RACHELFruits of gold?RAVENSBANERound like the rising sun. She calls them—ah! punkins.MISTRESS MERTON“Punkins!”JUSTICE MERTON[Aside, grinding his teeth.]Scoundrel! Scoundrel!RACHEL[Laughing.]Your lordship pokes fun at us.DICKONHis lordship is an artist in words, mistress. I have noticedthat in whatever country he is travelling, he tinges hisvocabulary with the local idiom. His lordship means, ofcourse, not pumpkins, but pomegranates.RACHELWe forgive him. But, your lordship, please be serious anddescribe to us your hall.RAVENSBANEQuite serious: the hall. Yes, yes; in the middle burns agreat fire—on a black—ah!—black altar.DICKONA Druidical heirloom. His lordship’s mother collects antiques.RACHELHow fascinating!RAVENSBANEQuite fascinating! On the walls hang pieces of iron.DICKONTrophies of Saxon warfare.RAVENSBANEAnd rusty horseshoes.GENERAL MURMURSHorseshoes!DICKONPresents from the German emperor. They were worn by thesteeds of Charlemagne.RAVENSBANEQuite so; and broken cart-wheels.DICKONReliques of British chariots.RACHELHow mediæval it must be![To Justice Merton.]And to think you never described it to us!MISTRESS MERTONTrue, brother; you have been singularly reticent.JUSTICE MERTONPermit me; it is impossible to report all one sees on one’s travels.MISTRESS MERTONEvidently.RACHELBut surely your lordship’s mother has other diversionsbesides collecting antiques. I have heard that in Englandladies followed the hounds; and sometimes—[Looking at her aunt and lowering her voice.]they even dance.RAVENSBANEDance—ah, yes; my lady mother dances about the—the altar;she swings high a hammer.DICKONYour lordship, your lordship! Pray, sir, check this vein ofpoetry. Lord Ravensbane symbolizes as a hammer and altar agolf-stick and tee—a Scottish game, which her ladyship playson her Highland estates.RICHARD[To Mistress Merton.]What do you think of this?MISTRESS MERTON[With a scandalized look toward her brother.]He said to me “tush.”RICHARD[To Justice Merton, indicating Dickon.]Who is this magpie?JUSTICE MERTON[Hisses in fury.]Satan!RICHARDI beg pardon!JUSTICE MERTONSatan, sir—makes you jealous.RICHARD[Bows stiffly.]Good morning.[Walking up to Ravensbane.]Lord Ravensbane, I have a rustic colonial question to ask.Is it the latest fashion to smoke incessantly in ladies’parlours, or is it—mediæval?DICKONHis lordship’s health, sir, necessitates—RICHARDI addressed his lordship.RAVENSBANEIn the matter of fashions, sir—[Hands his pipe to be refilled.]My pipe, Dickon![While Dickon holds his pipe—somewhat longer thanusual—Ravensbane, with his mouth open as if about tospeak, relapses into a vacant stare.]DICKON[As he lights the pipe for Ravensbane, speaks suavelyand low as if not to be overheard by him.]Pardon me. The fact is, my young pupil is sensitive; thewound from his latest duel is not quite healed; you observe aslight lameness, an occasional absence of mind.RACHELA wound—in a real duel?RICHARDNecessitates his smoking! A valid reason!DICKON[Aside.]You, mistress, know thetruereason—his lordship’s heart.RACHELBelieve me, sir—RICHARD[To Ravensbane, who is still staring vacantlyinto space.]Well, well, your lordship.[Ravensbane pays no attention.]You were saying—?[Dickon returns the pipe.]in the matter of fashions, sir—?RAVENSBANE[Regaining slowly a look of intelligence, drawshimself up with affronted hauteur.]Permit me![Puffs several wreaths of smoke into the air.]Iamthe fashions.RICHARD[Going.]Insufferable![He pauses at the door.]MISTRESS MERTON[To Justice Merton.]Well—what do you think of that?JUSTICE MERTONSpoken like King Charles himself.MISTRESS MERTONBrother! brother! is there nothing wrong here?JUSTICE MERTONWrong, Cynthia! Manifestly you are quite ignorant of themanners of the great.MISTRESS MERTONOh, Gilead!JUSTICE MERTONWhere are you going?MISTRESS MERTONTo my room.[Murmurs, as she hurries out.]Dear! dear! if it should be that again![Dickon and Justice Merton withdrawto a corner of the room.]RACHEL[To Ravensbane.]I—object to the smoke? Why, I think it is charming.RICHARD[Who has returned from the door, speaks in a low,constrained voice.]Rachel!RACHELOh!—you?RICHARDYou take quickly to European fashions.RACHELYes? To what one in particular?RICHARDTwo; smoking and flirtation.RACHELJealous?RICHARDOf an idiot? I hope not. Manners differ, however. Yourconfidences to his lordship have evidently not included—yourrelation to me.RACHELOh, our relations!RICHARDOf course, since you wish him to continue in ignorance—RACHELNot at all. He shall know at once. Lord Ravensbane!RAVENSBANEFair mistress!RICHARDRachel, stop! I did not mean—RACHEL[To Ravensbane.]My uncle did not introduce to you with sufficientelaboration this gentleman. Will you allow me to do so now?RAVENSBANEI adore Mistress Rachel’s elaborations.RACHELLord Ravensbane, I beg to present Squire Talbot,my betrothed.RAVENSBANEBetrothed! Is it—[Noticing Richard’s frown.]is it pleasant?RACHEL[To Richard.]Are you satisfied?RICHARD[Trembling with feeling.]Morethan satisfied.[Exit.]RAVENSBANE[Looking after him.]Ah! Betrothed isnotpleasant.RACHELNot always.RAVENSBANE[Anxiously.]Mistress Rachel is not pleased?RACHEL[Biting her lip, looks after Richard.]With him.RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel will smile again?RACHELSoon.RAVENSBANE[Ardent.]Ah! if she would only smile once more! What can LordRavensbane do to make her smile? See! will you puff my pipe?It is very pleasant.[Offering the pipe.]RACHEL[Smiling.]Shall I try?[Takes hold of it mischievously.]JUSTICE MERTON[In a great voice.]Rachel!RACHELWhy, uncle!JUSTICE MERTON[From where he has been conversing in a cornerwith Dickon, approaches now and speakssuavely to Ravensbane.]Permit me, your lordship—Rachel, you will kindly withdrawfor a few moments; I desire to confer with Lord Ravensbaneconcerning his mother’s—her ladyship’s letter;[Obsequiously to Dickon.]—that is, if you think, sir, that your noble pupil is not toofatigued.DICKONNot at all; I think his lordship will listen to you withmuch pleasure.RAVENSBANE[Bowing to Justice Merton, but looking at Rachel.]With much pleasure.DICKONAnd in the meantime, if Mistress Rachel will allow me, Iwill assist her in writing those invitations which yourworship desires to send in her name.JUSTICE MERTONInvitations—from my niece?DICKONTo his Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor; to your friends,the Reverend Masters at Harvard College, etc., etc.; in brief,to all your worship’s select social acquaintance in thevicinity—to meet his lordship. It was so thoughtful in you tosuggest it, sir, and believe me, his lordship appreciates yourcourtesy in arranging the reception in his honour for thisafternoon.RACHEL[To Justice Merton.]This afternoon! Are we really to give his lordship areception this afternoon?DICKONYour uncle has already given me the list of guests; soconsiderate! Permit me to act as your scribe, Mistress Rachel.RACHELWith pleasure.[To Justice Merton.]And will it be here, uncle?DICKON[Looking at him narrowly.]Your worship saidhere, I believe?JUSTICE MERTONQuite so, sir; quite so, quite so.DICKON[Aside to Justice Merton.]I advise nothing rash, Gilly; the brat has a weak heart.RACHELThis way, Master Dickonson, to the study.DICKON[As he goes with Rachel.]I will write and you sign?RACHELThank you.DICKON[Aside, as he passes Ravensbane.]Remember, Jack! Puff, puff!RACHEL[To Ravensbane, who stretches out his hand toher with a gesture of entreaty to stay.]Your lordship is to be my guest.[Courtesying.]Till we meet again!DICKON[To Rachel.]May I sharpen your quill?[Exeunt.]RAVENSBANE[Faintly, looking after her.]Till—we—meet—again!JUSTICE MERTON[Low and vehement to Ravensbane.]Impostor!RAVENSBANE[Still staring at the door.]She is gone.JUSTICE MERTONYou at least shall not play the lord and master to my face.RAVENSBANEQuite—gone!JUSTICE MERTONI know with whom I have to deal. If I be any judge of my ownflesh and blood—permit me—you shall quail before me.RAVENSBANE[Dejectedly.]She did not smile—[Joyously.]She smiled!JUSTICE MERTONAffected rogue! I know thee. I know thy feigned pauses, thyassumed vagaries. Speak; how much do you want?RAVENSBANEBetrothed,—he went away. That was good. And then—she didnot smile: that was not good. But then—she smiled! Ah! thatwas good.JUSTICE MERTONCome back, coward, and face me.RAVENSBANEFirst, the great sun shone over the corn-fields, the grasswas green; the black wings rose and flew before me; then thedoor opened—and she looked at me.JUSTICE MERTONSpeak, I say! What sum? What treasure do you hope to bleedfrom me?RAVENSBANE[Ecstatically.]Ah! Mistress Rachel!JUSTICE MERTONHer! Scoundrel, if thou dost name her again, my innocent—mysweet maid! If thou dost—thou godless spawn oftemptation—mark you, I will put an end—[Reaching for a pistol that rests in a rack on thewall,—the intervening form of Dickon suddenlyappears, pockets the pistol, and exit.]DICKONI beg pardon; I forgot something.JUSTICE MERTON[Sinking into a chair.]God is just.[He holds his head in his hands and weeps.]RAVENSBANE[For the first time, since Rachel’s departure,observes Merton.]Permit me, sir, are you ill?JUSTICE MERTON[Recoiling.]What art thou?RAVENSBANE[Monotonously.]I am Lord Ravensbane: Marquis of Oxford, Baron ofWittenberg, Elector of Worms, and—JUSTICE MERTONAnd my son![Covers his face again.]RAVENSBANE[Solicitously.]Shall I call Dickon?JUSTICE MERTONYea, for thou art my son. The deed once done is never done,the past is the present.RAVENSBANE[Walking softly toward the door, calls.]Dickon!JUSTICE MERTON[Starting up.]No, do not call him. Stay, and be merciful. Tell me: I hatethee not; thou wast innocent. Tell me!—I thought thou hadstdied as a babe.—Where has Dickon, our tyrant, kept thee thesetwenty years?RAVENSBANE[With gentle courtesy.]Master Dickonson is my tutor.JUSTICE MERTONAnd why has thy mother— Ah, I know well; I deserve all. Butyet, it must not be published now! I am a justice now, anhonoured citizen—and my young niece— Thy mother will notdemand so much; she will be considerate; she will ask somegold, of course, but she will show pity!RAVENSBANEMy mother is the Marchioness of Rickby.JUSTICE MERTONYes, yes; ’twas well planned, a clever trick. ’Twas skilfulof her. But surely thy mother gave thee commands to—RAVENSBANEMy mother gave me her blessing.JUSTICE MERTONAh, ’tis well then. Young man, my son, I too will give theemy blessing, if thou wilt but go—go instantly—go with halfmy fortune, go away forever, and leave my reputationunstained.RAVENSBANEGo away?[Starting for the study door.]Ah, sir, with much pleasure.JUSTICE MERTONYou will go? You will leave me my honour—and my Rachel?RAVENSBANERachel? Rachel is yours? No, no, Mistress Rachel is mine. Weare ours.JUSTICE MERTON[Pleadingly.]Consider the disgrace.RAVENSBANENo, no; I have seen her eyes, they are mine; I have seen hersmiles, they are mine; she is mine!JUSTICE MERTONConsider, one moment consider—you, an illegitimate—andshe—oh, think what thou art!RAVENSBANE[Monotonously, puffing smoke at the end.]I am Lord Ravensbane: Marquis of Oxford, Baron ofWittenberg, Elector of Worms, and Count—JUSTICE MERTON[Wrenching the pipe from Ravensbane’s hand and lips.]Devil’s child! Boor! Buffoon![Flinging the pipe away.]I will stand thy insults no longer. If thou hast no heart—RAVENSBANE[Putting his hand to his side, staggers.]Ah! my heart!JUSTICE MERTONHypocrite! Thou canst not fool me. I am thy father.RAVENSBANE[Faintly, stretching out his hand to him for support.]Father!JUSTICE MERTONStand away. Thou mayst break thy heart and mine and thedevil’s, but thou shalt not break Rachel’s.RAVENSBANE[Faintly.]Mistress Rachel is mine—[He staggers again, and falls, half reclining, upon a chair.]JUSTICE MERTONGood God! Can it be—his heart?RAVENSBANE[More faintly, beginning to change expression.]Her eyes are mine; her smiles are mine.[His eyes close.]JUSTICE MERTON[With agitated swiftness, feels and listens at Ravensbane’s side.]Not a motion; not a sound! Yea, God, Thou art good! ’Tis hisheart. He is—ah! he is my son. Judge Almighty, if he shoulddie now; may I not be still a moment more and make sure. No,no, my son—he is changing.[Calls.]Help! Help! Rachel! Master Dickonson! Help! Richard!Cynthia! Come hither![Enter Dickon and Rachel.]RACHELUncle!JUSTICE MERTONBring wine. Lord Ravensbane has fainted.RACHELOh![Turning swiftly to go.]Micah, wine.DICKON[Detaining her.]Stay! His pipe! Where is his lordship’s pipe?RACHELOh, terrible![Enter, at different doors, Mistress Merton and Richard.]MISTRESS MERTONWhat’s the matter?JUSTICE MERTON[To Rachel.]He threw it away. He is worse. Bring the wine.MISTRESS MERTONLook! How strange he appearsRACHEL[Searching distractedly.]The pipe! His lordship’s pipe! It is lost, Master Dickonson.DICKON[Stooping, as if searching, with his back turned, havingpicked up the pipe, is filling and lighting it.]It must be found. This is a heart attack, my friends; hislordship’s life depends on the nicotine.[Deftly he places the pipe in Rachel’s way.]RACHELThank God! Here it is.[Carrying it to the prostrate form of Ravensbane,she lifts his head and is about to put the pipe inhis mouth.]Shall I—shall I put it in?RICHARDNo! not you.RACHELSir!RICHARDLet his tutor perform that office.RACHEL[Lifting Lord Ravensbane’s head again.]Here, my lord.RICHARD AND JUSTICE MERTON[Together.]Rachel!RACHELYou, too, uncle?DICKONPardon me, Mistress Rachel; give the pipe at once. Only atoken of true affection can revive his lordship now.RICHARD[As Rachel puts the pipe to Ravensbane’s lips.]I forbid it, Rachel.RACHEL[Watching only Ravensbane.]My lord—my lord!MISTRESS MERTONGive him air; unbutton his coat.[Rachel unbuttons Ravensbane’s coat,revealing the embroidered waistcoat.]Ah, heavens! What do I see?JUSTICE MERTON[Looks, blanches, and signs silence to Mistress Merton.]Cynthia!DICKONSee! He puffs—he revives. He is coming to himself.MISTRESS MERTON[Aside to Justice Merton, with deep tensity.]That waistcoat! that waistcoat! Brother, hast thou neverseen it before?JUSTICE MERTONNever, my sister.RACHEL[As Ravensbane rises to his feet.]At last!DICKONLook! he is restored.RACHELGod be thanked!DICKONMy lord, Mistress Rachel has saved your life.RAVENSBANE[Taking Rachel’s hand.]Mistress Rachel is mine; we are ours.RICHARDDare to repeat that.RAVENSBANE[Looking at Rachel.]Her eyes are mine.RICHARD[Flinging his glove in his face.]And that, sir, is yours. I believe such is the properfashion in England. If your lordship’s last duelling wound issufficiently healed, perhaps you will deign a reply.RACHELRichard! Your lordship!RAVENSBANE[Stoops, picks up the glove, pockets it, bows to Rachel,and steps close to Richard.]Permit me![He blows a puff of smoke full in Richard’s face.]

In front of it are discoveredRachelandRichard;Rachel is about to draw the curtain.

RACHELNow! Are you willing?

RICHARDSo you suspect me of dark, villainous practices?

RACHELNo, no, foolish Dick.

RICHARDStill, I am to be tested; is that it?

RACHELThat’s it.

RICHARDAs your true lover.

RACHELWell, yes.

RICHARDWhy, of course, then, I consent. A true lover alwaysconsents to the follies of his lady-love.

RACHELThank you, Dick; I trust the glass will sustain yourcharacter. Now; when I draw the curtain—

RICHARD[Staying her hand.]What if I be false?

RACHELThen, sir, the glass will reflect you as the subtle fox thatyou are.

RICHARDAnd you—as the goose?

RACHELVery likely. Ah! but, Richard dear, we mustn’t laugh. It mayprove very serious. You do not guess—you do not dream all themysteries—

RICHARD[Shaking his head, with a grave smile.]You pluck at too many mysteries; sometime they may burn yourfingers. Remember our first mother Eve!

RACHELBut this is the glass of truth; and Goody Rickby told me—

RICHARDRickby, forsooth!

RACHELNay, come; let’s have it over.

[She draws the curtain, covers her eyes, steps back by Richard’sside, looks at the glass, and gives a joyous cry.]

Ah! there you are, dear! There we are, both of us—just aswe have always seemed to each other, true. ’Tis proved. Isn’tit wonderful?

RICHARDMiraculous! That a mirror bought in a blacksmith shop,before sunrise, for twenty pounds, should prove to beactually—a mirror!

RACHELRichard, I’m so happy.

[EnterJustice MertonandMistress Merton.]

RICHARD[Embracing her.]Happy, art thou, sweet goose? Why, then, God bless GoodyRickby.

JUSTICE MERTONStrange words from you, Squire Talbot.

[Rachel and Richard part quickly; Rachel draws thecurtain over the mirror; Richard stands stiffly.]

RICHARDJustice Merton! Why, sir, the old witch is more innocent,perhaps, than I represented her.

JUSTICE MERTONA witch, believe me, is never innocent.[Taking their hands, he brings them together and kissesRachel on the forehead.]Permit me, young lovers. I was once young myself, young andamorous.

MISTRESS MERTON[In a low voice.]Verily!

JUSTICE MERTONMy fair niece, my worthy young man, beware of witchcraft.

MISTRESS MERTONAnd Goody Rickby, too, brother?

JUSTICE MERTONThat woman shall answer for her deeds. She is proscribed.

RACHELProscribed? What is that?

MISTRESS MERTON[Examining the mirror.]What is this?

JUSTICE MERTONShe shall hang.

RACHELUncle, no! Not merely because of my purchase this morning.

JUSTICE MERTONYour purchase?

MISTRESS MERTON[Pointing to the mirror.]That, I suppose.

JUSTICE MERTONWhat! you purchased that mirror of her? You brought it here?

RACHELNo, the boy brought it; I found it here when I returned.

JUSTICE MERTONWhat! From her! You purchased it? From her shop? From herinfamous den, into my parlour![To Mistress Merton.]Call the servant.[Himself calling.]Micah! This instant, this instant—away with it! Micah!

RACHELUncle Gilead, I bought—

JUSTICE MERTONMicah, I say! Where is the man?

RACHELListen, Uncle. I bought it with my own money.

JUSTICE MERTONThine own money! Wilt have the neighbours gossip? Wilt haveme, thyself, my house, suspected of complicity with witches?[EnterMicah.]Micah, take this away.

MICAHYes, sir; but, sir—

JUSTICE MERTONOut of my house!

MICAHThere be visitors.

JUSTICE MERTONAway with—

MISTRESS MERTON[Touching his arm.]Gilead!

MICAHVisitors, sir; gentry.

JUSTICE MERTONAh!

MICAHShall I show them in, sir?

JUSTICE MERTONVisitors! In the morning? Who are they?

MICAHStrangers, sir. I should judge they be very high gentry;lords, sir.

ALLLords!

MICAHAt least, one on ’em, sir. The other—the darkgentleman—told me they left their horses at the inn, sir.

MISTRESS MERTONHark![The faces of all wear suddenly a startled expression.]Where is that unearthly sound?

JUSTICE MERTON[Listening.]Is it in the cellar?

MICAH’Tis just the dog howling, madam. When he spied the gentryhe turned tail and run below.

MISTRESS MERTONOh, the dog!

JUSTICE MERTONShow the gentlemen here, Micah. Don’t keep them waiting.[ExitMicah.]A lord![To Rachel.]We shall talk of this matter later.—A lord![Turning to the small glass on the wall, he arranges hisperuke and attire.]

RACHEL[To Richard.]What a fortunate interruption! But, dear Dick! I wish weneedn’t meet these strangers now.

RICHARDWould you really rather we were alone together?[They chat aside, absorbed in each other.]

JUSTICE MERTONThink of it, Cynthia, a lord!

MISTRESS MERTON[Dusting the furniture hastily with her handkerchief.]And such dust!

RACHEL[To Richard.]You know, dear, we need only be introduced, and then we cansteal away together.[Re-enterMicah.]

MICAH[Announcing.]Lord Ravensbane: Marquis of Oxford, Baron of Wittenberg,Elector of Worms, and Count of Cordova; Master Dickonson.

[EnterRavensbaneandDickon.]

JUSTICE MERTONGentlemen, permit me, you are excessively welcome. I amdeeply gratified to meet—

DICKONLord Ravensbane, of the Rookeries, Somersetshire.

JUSTICE MERTONLord Ravensbane—his lordship’s most truly honoured.

RAVENSBANETruly honoured.

JUSTICE MERTON[Turning to Dickon.]His lordship’s—?

DICKONTutor.

JUSTICE MERTON[Checking his effusiveness.]Ah, so!

DICKONJustice Merton, I believe.

JUSTICE MERTONOf Merton House.—May I present—permit me, your lordship—mysister, Mistress Merton.

RAVENSBANEMistress Merton.

JUSTICE MERTONAnd my—and my—[Under his breath.]Rachel![Rachel remains with a bored expression behind Richard.]—my young neighbour, Squire Talbot, Squire Richard Talbotof—of—

RICHARDOf nowhere, sir.

RAVENSBANE[Nods.]Nowhere.

JUSTICE MERTONAnd permit me, Lord Ravensbane, my niece—Mistress RachelMerton.

RAVENSBANE[Bows low.]Mistress Rachel Merton.

RACHEL[Courtesies.]Lord Ravensbane.

[As they raise their heads, their eyes meet and are fascinated.Dickon just then takes Ravensbane’s pipe and fills it.]

RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel!

RACHELYour lordship![Dickon returns the pipe.]

MISTRESS MERTONA pipe! Gilead!—in the parlour![Justice Merton frowns silence.]

JUSTICE MERTONYour lordship—ahem!—has just arrived in town?

DICKONFrom London, via New Amsterdam.

RICHARD[Aside.]Is he staring atyou? Are you ill, Rachel?

RACHEL[Indifferently.]What?

JUSTICE MERTONLord Ravensbane honours my humble roof.

DICKON[Touches Ravensbane’s arm.]Your lordship—“roof.”

RAVENSBANE[Starting, turns to Merton.]Nay, sir, the roof of my father’s oldest friend bestowsgenerous hospitality upon his only son.

JUSTICE MERTONOnly son—ah, yes! Your father—

RAVENSBANEMy father, I trust, sir, has never forgotten the intimatecompanionship, the touching devotion, the unceasing solicitudefor his happiness which you, sir, manifested to him in thedays of his youth.

JUSTICE MERTONReally, your lordship, the—the slight favours which—hem!some years ago, I was privileged to show your illustriousfather—

RAVENSBANEPermit me!—Because, however, of his present infirmities—forI regret to say that my father is suffering a temporary aberrationof mind—

JUSTICE MERTONYou distress me!

RAVENSBANEMy lady mother has charged me with a double mission here inNew England. On my quitting my home, sir, to explore thewideness and the mystery of this world, my mother bade me besure to call upon his worship, the Justice Merton; and deliverto him, first, my father’s remembrances; and secondly, mymother’s epistle.

DICKON[Handing to Justice Merton a sealed document.]Her ladyship’s letter, sir.

JUSTICE MERTON[Examining the seal with awe, speaks aside toMistress Merton.]Cynthia!—a crested seal!

DICKONHis lordship’s crest, sir: rooks rampant.

JUSTICE MERTON[Embarrassed, breaks the seal.]Permit me.

RACHEL[Looking at Ravensbane.]Have you noticed his bearing, Richard: what personaldistinction! what inbred nobility! Every inch a true lord!

RICHARDHe may be a lord, my dear, but he walks like a broomstick.

RACHELHow dare you![Turns abruptly away; as she does so, a fold of hergown catches in a chair.]

DICKON[To Justice Merton.]A word, sir.

JUSTICE MERTON[Glancing up from the letter.]I am astonished—overpowered!

RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel—permit me.[Stooping, he extricates the fold of her gown.]

RACHELOh, thank you.[They go aside together.]

RICHARD[To Mistress Merton.]So Lord Ravensbane and his family are old friends of yours?

MISTRESS MERTON[Monosyllabically.]I never heard the name before, Richard.

RICHARDWhy! but I thought that your brother, the Justice—

MISTRESS MERTONThe Justice is reticent.

RICHARDAh!

MISTRESS MERTONEspecially concerning his youth.

RICHARDAh!

RAVENSBANE[To Rachel, taking her hand after a whisper from Dickon.]Believe me, sweet lady, it will give me the deepest pleasure.

RACHELCan you really tell fortunes?

RAVENSBANEMore than that; I can bestow them.

JUSTICE MERTON[To Dickon.]But is her ladyship really serious? An offer of marriage!

DICKONPray read it again, sir.

JUSTICE MERTON[Reads.]“To the Worshipful, the Justice Gilead Merton,“Merton House.“My Honourable Friend and Benefactor:“With these brief lines I commend to you ourson”—ourson!

DICKONShe speaks likewise for his young lordship’s father, sir.

JUSTICE MERTONAh! of course.[Reads.]“In a strange land, I intrust him to you as to a father.”Honoured, believe me! “I have only to add my earnest hope thatthe natural gifts, graces, and inherited fortune”—ah—!

DICKONTwenty thousand pounds—on his father’s demise.

JUSTICE MERTONAh!—“fortune of this young scion of nobility will sopropitiate the heart of your niece, Mistress Rachel Merton,as to cause her to accept his proffered hand in matrimony;”—but—but—but Squire Talbot is betrothed to—well, well, weshall see;—“in matrimony, and thus cement the early bonds ofinterest and affection between your honoured self and hislordship’s father; not to mention, dear sir, your worship’sever grateful and obedient admirer,“Elizabeth,“Marchioness of R.”

Of R.! of R.! Will you believe me, my dear sir, so long isit since my travels in England—I visited at so many—hem!noble estates—permit me, it is so awkward, but—

DICKON[With his peculiar intonation of Act I.]Not at all.

JUSTICE MERTON[Starting.]I—I confess, sir, my youthful memory fails me. Will you beso very obliging; this—this Marchioness of R.—?

DICKON[Enjoying his discomfiture.]Yes?

JUSTICE MERTONThe R, I presume, stands for—

DICKONRickby.

RAVENSBANE[Calls.]Dickon, my pipe![Dickon glides away to fill Ravensbane’s pipe.]

JUSTICE MERTON[Stands bewildered and horror-struck.]Great God!—Thou inexorable Judge!

RICHARD[To Mistress Merton, scowling at Ravensbane and Rachel.]Are these court manners, in London?

MISTRESS MERTONDon’t askme, Richard.

RAVENSBANE[Dejectedly to Rachel, as Dickon is refilling his pipe.]Alas! Mistress Rachel is cruel.

RACHELI?—cruel, your lordship?

RAVENSBANEYour own white hand has written it.[Lifting her palm.]See, these lines: Rejection! you will reject one who lovesyou dearly.

RACHELFie, your lordship! Be not cast down at fortune-telling. Letme tell yours, may I?

RAVENSBANE[Rapturously holding his palm for her to examine.]Ah! Permit me.

JUSTICE MERTON[Murmurs, in terrible agitation.]Dickon! Can it be Dickon?

RACHELWhy, Lord Ravensbane, your pulse. Really, if I am cruel, youare quite heartless. I declare I can’t feel your heart beat at all.

RAVENSBANEAh! mistress, that is because I have just lost it.

RACHEL[Archly.]Where?

RAVENSBANE[Faintly.]Dickon, my pipe!

RACHELAlas! my lord, are you ill?

DICKON[Restoring the lighted pipe to Ravensbane, speaks aside.]Pardon me, sweet young lady, I must confide to you that hislordship’s heart is peculiarly responsive to his emotions.When he feels very ardently, it quite stops. Hence the use ofhis pipe.

RACHELOh! Is smoking, then, necessary for his heart?

DICKONAbsolutely—to equilibrate the valvular palpitations.Without his pipe—should his lordship experience, forinstance, the emotion of love—he might die.

RACHELYou alarm me!

DICKONBut this is for you only, Mistress Rachel. We may confide in you?

RACHELOh, utterly, sir.

DICKONHis lordship, you know, is so sensitive.

RAVENSBANE[To Rachel.]You have given it back to me. Why did not you keep it?

RACHELWhat, my lord?

RAVENSBANEMy heart.

JUSTICE MERTON[To Dickon.]Permit me, one moment; I did not catch your name.

DICKONMy name? Dickonson.

JUSTICE MERTON[With a gasp of relief.]Ah, Dickonson! Thank you. I mistook the word.

DICKONA compound, your worship.[With a malignant smile.]Dickon-[Then jerking his thumb over his shoulderat Ravensbane.]son![Bowing.]Both at your service.

JUSTICE MERTONIf—if you can show pity—speak low.

DICKONAs hell, your worship?

JUSTICE MERTONIs he—he there?

DICKONBessie’s brat; yes; it didn’t die, after all, poor suckling!Dickon weaned it. Saved it for balm of Gilead. Raised it forjoyful home-coming. Prodigal’s return! Twenty-first birthday!Happy son! Happy father!

JUSTICE MERTONMy—son!

DICKONFelicitations!

JUSTICE MERTONI will not believe it.

DICKONTruth is hard fare.

JUSTICE MERTON[Faintly.]What—what do you want?

DICKONOnly the happiness of your dear ones.[Indicating Rachel and Ravensbane.]The union of these young hearts and hands.

JUSTICE MERTONWhat! he will dare—an illegitimate—

DICKONFie, fie, Gilly! Why, the brat is a lord now.

JUSTICE MERTONOh, the disgrace! Spare me that, Dickon.

RICHARD[In a low voice to Rachel, who is talking in afascinated manner to Ravensbane.]Are you mad?

RACHEL[Indifferently.]What is the matter?[Laughing, to Ravensbane.]Oh, your lordship is too witty!

JUSTICE MERTON[To Dickon.]After all, I was young then.

DICKONQuite so.

JUSTICE MERTONAnd she is innocent; she is already betrothed.

DICKONTwiddle-twaddle! Look at her eyes now![Rachel is still telling Ravensbane’s fortune;and they are manifestly absorbed in each other.]’Tis a brilliant match; besides, her ladyship’s heart is setupon it.

JUSTICE MERTONHer ladyship—?

DICKONThe Marchioness of Rickby.

JUSTICE MERTON[Glowering.]I had forgotten.

DICKONHer ladyship has never forgotten. So, you see, yourworship’s alternatives are most simple. Alternative one:advance his lordship’s suit with your niece as speedily aspossible, and save all scandal. Alternative two: impede hislordship’s suit, and—

JUSTICE MERTONDon’t, Dickon! don’t reveal the truth; not disgrace now!

DICKONGood; we are agreed, then?

JUSTICE MERTONI have no choice.

DICKON[Cheerfully.]Why, true; we ignored that, didn’t we?

MISTRESS MERTON[Approaching.]This young lord—Why, Gilead, are you ill?

JUSTICE MERTON[With a great effort, commands himself.]Not in the least.

MISTRESS MERTONRachel’s deportment, my dear brother—

RACHELI am really at a loss. Your lordship’s hand is so verypeculiar.

RAVENSBANEAh! Peculiar.

RACHELThis, now, is the line of life.

RAVENSBANEOf life, yes?

RACHELBut it begins so abruptly, and see! it breaks off and endsnowhere. And just so here with this line—the line of—oflove.

RAVENSBANEOf love. So; it breaks?

RACHELYes.

RAVENSBANEAh, then, that must be theheartline.

RACHELI am afraid your lordship is very fickle.

MISTRESS MERTON[Horrified.]I tell you, Gilead, they are fortune-telling!

JUSTICE MERTONTush! Tush!

MISTRESS MERTONTush? “Tush” tome? Tush!

[Richard, who has been stifling his feelings at Rachel’srebuff, and has stood fidgeting at a civil distancefrom her, now walks up to Justice Merton.]

RICHARDIntolerable! Do you approve ofthis, sir? Are LordRavensbane’s credentials satisfactory?

JUSTICE MERTONEminently, eminently.

RICHARDAh! So her ladyship’s letter is—

JUSTICE MERTONCharming; charming.

RICHARDTo be sure; old friends, when they are lords, it makes sucha difference.

DICKONTrue friends—old friends;New friends—cold friends.N’est ce pas, your worship?

JUSTICE MERTONIndeed, Master Dickonson; indeed![To Richard, as Dickon goes towardRavensbane and Rachel.]What happiness to encounter the manners of the nobility!

RICHARDIf you approve them, sir, it is sufficient. This is your house.[He turns away.]

JUSTICE MERTONYour lordship will, I trust, make my house your home.

RAVENSBANEMy home, sir.

RACHEL[To Dickon, who has spoken to her.]Really?[To Justice Merton.]Why, uncle, what is this Master Dickonson tells us?

JUSTICE MERTONWhat! What! he has revealed—

RACHELYes, indeed. Why did you never tell us?

JUSTICE MERTONRachel! Rachel!

MISTRESS MERTONYou are moved, brother.

RACHEL[Laughingly to Ravensbane.]My uncle is doubtless astonished to find you so grown.

RAVENSBANE[Laughingly to Justice Merton.]I am doubtless astonished, sir, to be so grown.

JUSTICE MERTON[To Dickon.]You have—

DICKONRemarked, sir, that your worship had often dandled hislordship—as an infant.

JUSTICE MERTON[Smiling lugubriously.]Quite so—as an infant merely.

RACHELHow interesting! Then you must have seen his lordship’s homein England.

JUSTICE MERTONAs you say.

RACHEL[To Ravensbane.]Do describe it to us. We are so isolated here from the grandworld. Do you know, I always imagine England to be anenchanted isle, like one of the old Hesperides, teeming withfruits of solid gold.

RAVENSBANEAh, yes! my mother raises them.

RACHELFruits of gold?

RAVENSBANERound like the rising sun. She calls them—ah! punkins.

MISTRESS MERTON“Punkins!”

JUSTICE MERTON[Aside, grinding his teeth.]Scoundrel! Scoundrel!

RACHEL[Laughing.]Your lordship pokes fun at us.

DICKONHis lordship is an artist in words, mistress. I have noticedthat in whatever country he is travelling, he tinges hisvocabulary with the local idiom. His lordship means, ofcourse, not pumpkins, but pomegranates.

RACHELWe forgive him. But, your lordship, please be serious anddescribe to us your hall.

RAVENSBANEQuite serious: the hall. Yes, yes; in the middle burns agreat fire—on a black—ah!—black altar.

DICKONA Druidical heirloom. His lordship’s mother collects antiques.

RACHELHow fascinating!

RAVENSBANEQuite fascinating! On the walls hang pieces of iron.

DICKONTrophies of Saxon warfare.

RAVENSBANEAnd rusty horseshoes.

GENERAL MURMURSHorseshoes!

DICKONPresents from the German emperor. They were worn by thesteeds of Charlemagne.

RAVENSBANEQuite so; and broken cart-wheels.

DICKONReliques of British chariots.

RACHELHow mediæval it must be![To Justice Merton.]And to think you never described it to us!

MISTRESS MERTONTrue, brother; you have been singularly reticent.

JUSTICE MERTONPermit me; it is impossible to report all one sees on one’s travels.

MISTRESS MERTONEvidently.

RACHELBut surely your lordship’s mother has other diversionsbesides collecting antiques. I have heard that in Englandladies followed the hounds; and sometimes—[Looking at her aunt and lowering her voice.]they even dance.

RAVENSBANEDance—ah, yes; my lady mother dances about the—the altar;she swings high a hammer.

DICKONYour lordship, your lordship! Pray, sir, check this vein ofpoetry. Lord Ravensbane symbolizes as a hammer and altar agolf-stick and tee—a Scottish game, which her ladyship playson her Highland estates.

RICHARD[To Mistress Merton.]What do you think of this?

MISTRESS MERTON[With a scandalized look toward her brother.]He said to me “tush.”

RICHARD[To Justice Merton, indicating Dickon.]Who is this magpie?

JUSTICE MERTON[Hisses in fury.]Satan!

RICHARDI beg pardon!

JUSTICE MERTONSatan, sir—makes you jealous.

RICHARD[Bows stiffly.]Good morning.[Walking up to Ravensbane.]Lord Ravensbane, I have a rustic colonial question to ask.Is it the latest fashion to smoke incessantly in ladies’parlours, or is it—mediæval?

DICKONHis lordship’s health, sir, necessitates—

RICHARDI addressed his lordship.

RAVENSBANEIn the matter of fashions, sir—[Hands his pipe to be refilled.]My pipe, Dickon!

[While Dickon holds his pipe—somewhat longer thanusual—Ravensbane, with his mouth open as if about tospeak, relapses into a vacant stare.]

DICKON[As he lights the pipe for Ravensbane, speaks suavelyand low as if not to be overheard by him.]Pardon me. The fact is, my young pupil is sensitive; thewound from his latest duel is not quite healed; you observe aslight lameness, an occasional absence of mind.

RACHELA wound—in a real duel?

RICHARDNecessitates his smoking! A valid reason!

DICKON[Aside.]You, mistress, know thetruereason—his lordship’s heart.

RACHELBelieve me, sir—

RICHARD[To Ravensbane, who is still staring vacantlyinto space.]Well, well, your lordship.[Ravensbane pays no attention.]You were saying—?[Dickon returns the pipe.]in the matter of fashions, sir—?

RAVENSBANE[Regaining slowly a look of intelligence, drawshimself up with affronted hauteur.]Permit me![Puffs several wreaths of smoke into the air.]Iamthe fashions.

RICHARD[Going.]Insufferable![He pauses at the door.]

MISTRESS MERTON[To Justice Merton.]Well—what do you think of that?

JUSTICE MERTONSpoken like King Charles himself.

MISTRESS MERTONBrother! brother! is there nothing wrong here?

JUSTICE MERTONWrong, Cynthia! Manifestly you are quite ignorant of themanners of the great.

MISTRESS MERTONOh, Gilead!

JUSTICE MERTONWhere are you going?

MISTRESS MERTONTo my room.[Murmurs, as she hurries out.]Dear! dear! if it should be that again!

[Dickon and Justice Merton withdrawto a corner of the room.]

RACHEL[To Ravensbane.]I—object to the smoke? Why, I think it is charming.

RICHARD[Who has returned from the door, speaks in a low,constrained voice.]Rachel!

RACHELOh!—you?

RICHARDYou take quickly to European fashions.

RACHELYes? To what one in particular?

RICHARDTwo; smoking and flirtation.

RACHELJealous?

RICHARDOf an idiot? I hope not. Manners differ, however. Yourconfidences to his lordship have evidently not included—yourrelation to me.

RACHELOh, our relations!

RICHARDOf course, since you wish him to continue in ignorance—

RACHELNot at all. He shall know at once. Lord Ravensbane!

RAVENSBANEFair mistress!

RICHARDRachel, stop! I did not mean—

RACHEL[To Ravensbane.]My uncle did not introduce to you with sufficientelaboration this gentleman. Will you allow me to do so now?

RAVENSBANEI adore Mistress Rachel’s elaborations.

RACHELLord Ravensbane, I beg to present Squire Talbot,my betrothed.

RAVENSBANEBetrothed! Is it—[Noticing Richard’s frown.]is it pleasant?

RACHEL[To Richard.]Are you satisfied?

RICHARD[Trembling with feeling.]Morethan satisfied.[Exit.]

RAVENSBANE[Looking after him.]Ah! Betrothed isnotpleasant.

RACHELNot always.

RAVENSBANE[Anxiously.]Mistress Rachel is not pleased?

RACHEL[Biting her lip, looks after Richard.]With him.

RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel will smile again?

RACHELSoon.

RAVENSBANE[Ardent.]Ah! if she would only smile once more! What can LordRavensbane do to make her smile? See! will you puff my pipe?It is very pleasant.[Offering the pipe.]

RACHEL[Smiling.]Shall I try?[Takes hold of it mischievously.]

JUSTICE MERTON[In a great voice.]Rachel!

RACHELWhy, uncle!

JUSTICE MERTON[From where he has been conversing in a cornerwith Dickon, approaches now and speakssuavely to Ravensbane.]Permit me, your lordship—Rachel, you will kindly withdrawfor a few moments; I desire to confer with Lord Ravensbaneconcerning his mother’s—her ladyship’s letter;[Obsequiously to Dickon.]—that is, if you think, sir, that your noble pupil is not toofatigued.

DICKONNot at all; I think his lordship will listen to you withmuch pleasure.

RAVENSBANE[Bowing to Justice Merton, but looking at Rachel.]With much pleasure.

DICKONAnd in the meantime, if Mistress Rachel will allow me, Iwill assist her in writing those invitations which yourworship desires to send in her name.

JUSTICE MERTONInvitations—from my niece?

DICKONTo his Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor; to your friends,the Reverend Masters at Harvard College, etc., etc.; in brief,to all your worship’s select social acquaintance in thevicinity—to meet his lordship. It was so thoughtful in you tosuggest it, sir, and believe me, his lordship appreciates yourcourtesy in arranging the reception in his honour for thisafternoon.

RACHEL[To Justice Merton.]This afternoon! Are we really to give his lordship areception this afternoon?

DICKONYour uncle has already given me the list of guests; soconsiderate! Permit me to act as your scribe, Mistress Rachel.

RACHELWith pleasure.[To Justice Merton.]And will it be here, uncle?

DICKON[Looking at him narrowly.]Your worship saidhere, I believe?

JUSTICE MERTONQuite so, sir; quite so, quite so.

DICKON[Aside to Justice Merton.]I advise nothing rash, Gilly; the brat has a weak heart.

RACHELThis way, Master Dickonson, to the study.

DICKON[As he goes with Rachel.]I will write and you sign?

RACHELThank you.

DICKON[Aside, as he passes Ravensbane.]Remember, Jack! Puff, puff!

RACHEL[To Ravensbane, who stretches out his hand toher with a gesture of entreaty to stay.]Your lordship is to be my guest.[Courtesying.]Till we meet again!

DICKON[To Rachel.]May I sharpen your quill?[Exeunt.]

RAVENSBANE[Faintly, looking after her.]Till—we—meet—again!

JUSTICE MERTON[Low and vehement to Ravensbane.]Impostor!

RAVENSBANE[Still staring at the door.]She is gone.

JUSTICE MERTONYou at least shall not play the lord and master to my face.

RAVENSBANEQuite—gone!

JUSTICE MERTONI know with whom I have to deal. If I be any judge of my ownflesh and blood—permit me—you shall quail before me.

RAVENSBANE[Dejectedly.]She did not smile—[Joyously.]She smiled!

JUSTICE MERTONAffected rogue! I know thee. I know thy feigned pauses, thyassumed vagaries. Speak; how much do you want?

RAVENSBANEBetrothed,—he went away. That was good. And then—she didnot smile: that was not good. But then—she smiled! Ah! thatwas good.

JUSTICE MERTONCome back, coward, and face me.

RAVENSBANEFirst, the great sun shone over the corn-fields, the grasswas green; the black wings rose and flew before me; then thedoor opened—and she looked at me.

JUSTICE MERTONSpeak, I say! What sum? What treasure do you hope to bleedfrom me?

RAVENSBANE[Ecstatically.]Ah! Mistress Rachel!

JUSTICE MERTONHer! Scoundrel, if thou dost name her again, my innocent—mysweet maid! If thou dost—thou godless spawn oftemptation—mark you, I will put an end—

[Reaching for a pistol that rests in a rack on thewall,—the intervening form of Dickon suddenlyappears, pockets the pistol, and exit.]

DICKONI beg pardon; I forgot something.

JUSTICE MERTON[Sinking into a chair.]God is just.[He holds his head in his hands and weeps.]

RAVENSBANE[For the first time, since Rachel’s departure,observes Merton.]Permit me, sir, are you ill?

JUSTICE MERTON[Recoiling.]What art thou?

RAVENSBANE[Monotonously.]

I am Lord Ravensbane: Marquis of Oxford, Baron ofWittenberg, Elector of Worms, and—

JUSTICE MERTONAnd my son![Covers his face again.]

RAVENSBANE[Solicitously.]Shall I call Dickon?

JUSTICE MERTONYea, for thou art my son. The deed once done is never done,the past is the present.

RAVENSBANE[Walking softly toward the door, calls.]Dickon!

JUSTICE MERTON[Starting up.]No, do not call him. Stay, and be merciful. Tell me: I hatethee not; thou wast innocent. Tell me!—I thought thou hadstdied as a babe.—Where has Dickon, our tyrant, kept thee thesetwenty years?

RAVENSBANE[With gentle courtesy.]Master Dickonson is my tutor.

JUSTICE MERTONAnd why has thy mother— Ah, I know well; I deserve all. Butyet, it must not be published now! I am a justice now, anhonoured citizen—and my young niece— Thy mother will notdemand so much; she will be considerate; she will ask somegold, of course, but she will show pity!

RAVENSBANEMy mother is the Marchioness of Rickby.

JUSTICE MERTONYes, yes; ’twas well planned, a clever trick. ’Twas skilfulof her. But surely thy mother gave thee commands to—

RAVENSBANEMy mother gave me her blessing.

JUSTICE MERTONAh, ’tis well then. Young man, my son, I too will give theemy blessing, if thou wilt but go—go instantly—go with halfmy fortune, go away forever, and leave my reputationunstained.

RAVENSBANEGo away?[Starting for the study door.]Ah, sir, with much pleasure.

JUSTICE MERTONYou will go? You will leave me my honour—and my Rachel?

RAVENSBANERachel? Rachel is yours? No, no, Mistress Rachel is mine. Weare ours.

JUSTICE MERTON[Pleadingly.]Consider the disgrace.

RAVENSBANENo, no; I have seen her eyes, they are mine; I have seen hersmiles, they are mine; she is mine!

JUSTICE MERTONConsider, one moment consider—you, an illegitimate—andshe—oh, think what thou art!

RAVENSBANE[Monotonously, puffing smoke at the end.]I am Lord Ravensbane: Marquis of Oxford, Baron ofWittenberg, Elector of Worms, and Count—

JUSTICE MERTON[Wrenching the pipe from Ravensbane’s hand and lips.]Devil’s child! Boor! Buffoon![Flinging the pipe away.]I will stand thy insults no longer. If thou hast no heart—

RAVENSBANE[Putting his hand to his side, staggers.]Ah! my heart!

JUSTICE MERTONHypocrite! Thou canst not fool me. I am thy father.

RAVENSBANE[Faintly, stretching out his hand to him for support.]Father!

JUSTICE MERTONStand away. Thou mayst break thy heart and mine and thedevil’s, but thou shalt not break Rachel’s.

RAVENSBANE[Faintly.]Mistress Rachel is mine—[He staggers again, and falls, half reclining, upon a chair.]

JUSTICE MERTONGood God! Can it be—his heart?

RAVENSBANE[More faintly, beginning to change expression.]Her eyes are mine; her smiles are mine.[His eyes close.]

JUSTICE MERTON[With agitated swiftness, feels and listens at Ravensbane’s side.]Not a motion; not a sound! Yea, God, Thou art good! ’Tis hisheart. He is—ah! he is my son. Judge Almighty, if he shoulddie now; may I not be still a moment more and make sure. No,no, my son—he is changing.[Calls.]Help! Help! Rachel! Master Dickonson! Help! Richard!Cynthia! Come hither![Enter Dickon and Rachel.]

RACHELUncle!

JUSTICE MERTONBring wine. Lord Ravensbane has fainted.

RACHELOh![Turning swiftly to go.]Micah, wine.

DICKON[Detaining her.]Stay! His pipe! Where is his lordship’s pipe?

RACHELOh, terrible!

[Enter, at different doors, Mistress Merton and Richard.]

MISTRESS MERTONWhat’s the matter?

JUSTICE MERTON[To Rachel.]He threw it away. He is worse. Bring the wine.

MISTRESS MERTONLook! How strange he appears

RACHEL[Searching distractedly.]The pipe! His lordship’s pipe! It is lost, Master Dickonson.

DICKON[Stooping, as if searching, with his back turned, havingpicked up the pipe, is filling and lighting it.]It must be found. This is a heart attack, my friends; hislordship’s life depends on the nicotine.[Deftly he places the pipe in Rachel’s way.]

RACHELThank God! Here it is.

[Carrying it to the prostrate form of Ravensbane,she lifts his head and is about to put the pipe inhis mouth.]

Shall I—shall I put it in?

RICHARDNo! not you.

RACHELSir!

RICHARDLet his tutor perform that office.

RACHEL[Lifting Lord Ravensbane’s head again.]Here, my lord.

RICHARD AND JUSTICE MERTON[Together.]Rachel!

RACHELYou, too, uncle?

DICKONPardon me, Mistress Rachel; give the pipe at once. Only atoken of true affection can revive his lordship now.

RICHARD[As Rachel puts the pipe to Ravensbane’s lips.]I forbid it, Rachel.

RACHEL[Watching only Ravensbane.]My lord—my lord!

MISTRESS MERTONGive him air; unbutton his coat.[Rachel unbuttons Ravensbane’s coat,revealing the embroidered waistcoat.]Ah, heavens! What do I see?

JUSTICE MERTON[Looks, blanches, and signs silence to Mistress Merton.]Cynthia!

DICKONSee! He puffs—he revives. He is coming to himself.

MISTRESS MERTON[Aside to Justice Merton, with deep tensity.]That waistcoat! that waistcoat! Brother, hast thou neverseen it before?

JUSTICE MERTONNever, my sister.

RACHEL[As Ravensbane rises to his feet.]At last!

DICKONLook! he is restored.

RACHELGod be thanked!

DICKONMy lord, Mistress Rachel has saved your life.

RAVENSBANE[Taking Rachel’s hand.]Mistress Rachel is mine; we are ours.

RICHARDDare to repeat that.

RAVENSBANE[Looking at Rachel.]Her eyes are mine.

RICHARD[Flinging his glove in his face.]And that, sir, is yours. I believe such is the properfashion in England. If your lordship’s last duelling wound issufficiently healed, perhaps you will deign a reply.

RACHELRichard! Your lordship!

RAVENSBANE[Stoops, picks up the glove, pockets it, bows to Rachel,and steps close to Richard.]Permit me!

[He blows a puff of smoke full in Richard’s face.]

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