Gold. Old Dornton has sent the nab-man after him! Silky. And arrested him? Gold. Yes, he's touch'd! Enter JACOB. Run as fast as you can to my good friend, Mr Strawshoe, the attorney, and tell him to take out detainers for all the debts I have bought up against Mr Milford! Make haste! Jacob. Yes, sir. [Exit. Gold. I thought you were Jack Milford's friend, too? Silky. So I am, Mr Goldfinch; but I must provide for my family! Gold. Come, come!-The bit!-Tellee I want the coal directly! Sale at Tattersall's to-morrow morning! Three Pot-eight-O brood mares with each an Eclipse colt! Would not lose 'em for all Lombard Street! So will you let me have the bit? Silky. Dear, dear! I tell you I can't, Mr Goldfinch. Gold. Then some other Jew must. Silky. Jew! Hear you! Hear you! This it is to be the friend of an ungrateful spendthrift! Calls me Jew! I, who go to morning prayers every day of my life, and three times to tabernacle on a Sunday! Gold. Yes! You cheat all day, tremble all night, and act the hypocrite the first thing in the morning. [Going. Silky. Nay, but stay, Mr Goldfinch! Stay! I want to talk to you!-I have a scheme to make a man of you! Gold. What! Bind me 'prentice to a usurer? Silky. Pshaw! You are in pursuit of the Widow Warren? Gold. Well? Silky. Now what will you give me, and I'll secure her to you? Gold. You? Silky. I! Gold. Which way? Silky. I have a deed in my power, I won't tell you what, but I have it, by which I can make her marry the man I please, or remain a widow all her life; and that I'm sure she will never do if she can help it. Gold. You a deed? Gold. Show it me! Silky. Not for twenty thousand pounds!-Depend upon me, I have it! I tell you that I'm your friend, and you shall have her! That is, on proper conditions -If not, Mr Goldfinch, you shall not have her. Gold. Indeed, old Judas! Well, what are your conditions? Silky. I find the late alderman died worth a hundred and fifty thousand pounds! Gold. Ay? Silky. Every farthing, Mr Goldfinch! And my conscience tells me that, risk and character and all things considered, I must come in for my thirds. Gold. Your conscience tells you that? Silky. Yes, it does, Mr Goldfinch!-Fifty thousand is a fair price. Gold. For the soul of a miser. Silky. Not a farthing less!-What, will there not be a hundred thousand remaining? Gold. Why, that's true!-It will cut a fine dash! Silky. To be sure it will!-Come with me; I'll draw up a sketch of an agreement. After which, we must fight cunning-The Widow is a vain, weak woman-You must get her written promise! Gold. Written? > Silky. Under her own hand; with a good round penalty in case of forfeiture. Gold. Well said, old one! Silky. Not less than twenty thousand pounds! A jury would grant half! Gold. Why, you're a good one! Silky. That would secure something, and we would snack! Gold. Damme, you're a deep one! Silky. Ah, ha, ha, ha! Do you think I am, Mr Goldfinch ?-Signed on stamp! Gold. You know a thing or two! Silky. Ah, ha, ha, ha! Do you think I do, Mr Goldfinch? Gold. You can teach 'em to bite the bubble! Silky. Ah, ha, ha, ha! You joke, Mr Goldfinch, you joke! Gold. But the devil will have you at last! Silky. Lord forbid, Mr Goldfinch! Don't terrify me! I hate the devil, Mr Goldfinch, indeed I do! I hate the name of him!-Heaven keep me out of his fiery clutches! Gold. No, he has you safe enough!-Bait his trap but with a guinea, and he is sure to find you nibbling. Silky. Don't talk about the devil, Mr Goldfinch! her. Gold. I must have the coal though this evening. Silky. Pshaw, Mr Goldfinch; think less of the [Exeunt. ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I. The House of the WIDOW WArren. Enter JENNY and SOPHIA meeting. Jenny. O, miss! I have got something for you! Soph. Something for me!—What is it? What is it? Jenny. [Her hand behind her.] What will you give me? Soph. O, I'll give you-[Feeling in her pocket.] La, I've got no money! But I'll give you a kiss, and owe you a sixpence. Jenny. No-A shilling without the kiss. Jenny. There then. [Giving her a small parcel. Soph. La! what is it? [Reads.] To Miss Sophia Freelove. And such a beautiful seal!-It's a pity to break it. [Opening the paper.] La! nothing but a plumcake! Jenny. Is that all? Soph. [Considering.] Ecod! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!— I do think-as sure as sixpence, it is—it is Jenny. Is what? Soph. O, la, it is! Jenny. What's the matter with the girl? Soph. Ecod, Jenny, it is the most curious plumcake you ever saw ! Jenny. I see nothing curious about it! 1 Soph. O, but you shall see!-Give me a knife!— O, no, that would spoil all !-Look you, Jenny, look! Do but look!-[Breaks open the cake, and finds a Valentine.] Ha, ha, ha, ha! I told you so! The sweet, dear Kisses it.] Did you ever see such a plumcake in whole life, Jenny ?-And look here!-[Opening the Valentine.] Oh, how beautiful!-The shape of a honey-suckle !-What should that mean? And two doves cooing!-But here! Here's the writing! your The woodbine sweet, and turtle dove, [Repeating.] Were such peace and truth but mine!La, now, Mr Dornton, you know they are yours! Jenny. So, so! Mr Dornton sends you valentines, miss? Soph. O yes, Jenny! He is the kindest, sweetest, handsomest gentleman! Jenny. You must give me that valentine, miss. Jenny. Yes-that I may show it your mamma. Soph. Indeed, but don't you think it! I would not give you this tiny bit of paper, no, not for a diamond as big as big as the whole world!- -And if you were to tell ma', and she were to take it from me, I'd never love you, nor forgive you, as long as I live! Jenny. O, but indeed, miss, I'm not obliged to keep secrets for nothing. Soph. Nah, Jenny, you know I am very good to you. And here-Here-Don't tell ma', and I'll give you this silver thimble. [Exit JENNY. |