Jenny. I am sure, ma'am, if I was a rich lady, and a handsome lady, and a fine lady, like you, I should say, Mr Goldfinch for my money. Widow. Should you, Jenny?-Well, I don't know[Languishing. Goldfinch. [Without.] Tellee, I must see her. Widow. As I live, here he comes !-He is such a boisterous person! [Goes to the glass.] How do I look, Jenny? I protest my face is of all colours! Jenny. [Significantly, after examining.] You had better go up to your toilet for a minute. Widow. That smooth-tongued old extortioner has put me in such a fluster! Don't let him go, Jenny. Jenny. Never fear, ma'am. Widow. I'll not stay too long. [Exit. Enter GOLDFINCH, his Clothes, Hat, and Boots, dirtied by a Fall. Gold. Here I am-All alive! Jenny. Dear!-What is the matter? Gold. Safe and sound!-Fine kick up! Jenny. Have you been thrown? Gold. Pitched five and twenty feet into a ditch -Souse! Jenny. Dear me! Gold. Pretty commence! No matter-Limbs whole-Heart sound-That's your sort! Jenny. Where did it happen? Gold. Bye-road-Back of Islington-Had them tight in hand too-Came to a short turn and a narrow lane-Up flew a damned dancing-master's umbrella-Bounce !-Off they went-Road repairingWheelbarrow in the way-Crash-Out flew I-Whiz -Fire flashed-Lay stunned-Got up-Looked foolish-shafts broke-Snarler and Blackguard both down-Black-and-all-black paying away, pannels smashed, traces cut, Snarler lamed. Jenny. Terrible! Gold. Damned mad!-Cursed a few-cut up Blackand-all-black-Horsewhipped Tom-Took coach, and drove here like a devil in a whirlwind! Jenny. 'Tis very well your neck's not broke! Gold. Little stiff-No matter-Damn all dancingmasters and their umbrellas! Jenny. You had better have been here, Mr Goldfinch. You stand so long shilly-shally, that you'll be cut out at last.-If you had but a license now in your pocket, I'd undertake to have you married in half an hour. Gold. Do you think so? Jenny. Think!—I'm sure on't. Gold. Damme, I'll post away and get one-Must not lose her-The game's up if I do!-Must have her! -Be true to me, and I'll secure you the hundred!I'll be back from the Commons in a smack! Enter the WIDOW WARREN. Gold. Ah, Widow! Here am I! [Runs up to her, kisses her boisterously, and dirties her clothes.-Exit JENNY. Widow. I protest, Mr Goldfinch like! -Was ever the [Looking at herself. Gold. Never mind, brush off—I'm the lad!-Been to Hatchet's-Bespoke the wedding coach Widow. But, sir Gold. Pannels stripe painted-Hammer-cloth fringed-Green and white-Curtains festooned-Patent wheels-Silver furniture-All flash-Light as a bandbox-Trundle and spin after my greys, like a tandem down hill-Pass-Show 'em the road-Whurr— Whizz-gig-That's your sort! Widow. It will be superb! Gold. Superb!-[With contempt.] Tellee, it will be the thing The go-The stare-The gape-The gaze! The rich Widow and the tight one There they go -Away they bowl-That's your sort-I'm the boy that shall drive you——— Widow. Pardon me, Mr Goldfinch; if a certain event were, by the wise disposition of Providence, to take place, I should think proper to drive. Gold. You drive !—If you do, damn me ! Widow. Sir ! Gold. I'm christened and called Charles-Charles Goldfinch-The knowing lad that's not to be had—` Winter and summer-Fair weather and foul-Low ruts or no ruts-Never take a false quarter-No, no, Widow-I drive-Hayait !—Ah—Ah-Get on !—St -St-Touch Whitefoot in the flank-Tickle Snarler in the ear- -Cut up the Yelper-Take out a fly's eye -Smack, crack-That's your sort! Widow. I assure you, Mr Goldfinch, you entertain very improper suppositions concerningGold. Go for the license Widow. Nay, but surely, Mr [Going. Gold. Go for the license-Resolved-Taken it here. [Pointing to his forehead. Widow. If retrospect and—and affection threw no other obstacles in the way-Yet the the world— Prudence Gold. The world!-Prudence!-Damn the world -Damn prudence! Widow. Oh, but, sir Gold. The world, nor nobody else, has nothing to do with neither your prudence nor mine.-We'll be married immediately Widow. Immediately! Mr Goldfinch—I— Gold. What, you won't? [Undecided. Widow. Nay, Mr Goldfinch!-I-do not—absolutely renunciate-But I-wish Gold. It was over-Know you do-Go for the li cense Widow. Pray-Dear Mr Goldfinch Gold. Go for the license, I tellee. Gold. To the wise-I'm he-Go for the license That's your sort! Widow. Mr Goldfinch! I declare [Exit. [Exit, following. SCENE II. MR DORNTON's House. MR DORNTON and MR SMITH. Dorn. Still the same hurry, the same crowd, Mr Smith? Mr Smith. Much the same, sir; the house never experienced a day like this!-Mr Sulky thinks we shall never get through. Dorn. Is Milford taken ? Dorn. Unprincipled prodigal !-My son owes his ruin to him alone!—But he shall suffer! Mr Smith. My young master's tradesmen are waiting. Dorn. Bid them come in. [Exit MR SMITH.] All my own fault, my own fond folly! Denied him nothing!-encouraged him to spend. Re-enter MR SMITH, followed by TRADESMEN. Mr Smith. This way, gentlemen. Dorn. Zounds! what an army !-A vile thoughtless profligate! Enter SERVANT. Serv. [To MR DORNTON.] You are wanted in the counting-house, sir. Dorn. Very well.-I'll be with you in a moment, gentlemen-Abandoned spendthrift! [Exit, followed by MR SMITH. 1 Trades. I don't like all this!-What does it mean? 2 Trades. Danger! 3 Trades. He has been a good customer-None of your punctual paymasters that look over their ac counts. 1 Trades. O, a different thing! Nothing to be got by them-Always take care to affront them. 2 Trades. Perhaps, it is a trick of the old gentleman to inspect into our charges. 3 Trades. I don't like that-Rather hear of any tax than of taxing my bill. 1 Trades. Humph! Tradesmen begin to understand these things, and allow a reasonable profit. 2 Trades. Can't have less than fifty per cent. for retail credit trade! 3 Trades. To be sure not;-if a man would live in style, and save a fortune, as he ought. 1 Trades. Hush! Mind-All devilish hard run! Omnes: Certainly ! 1 Trades. Not a guinea in the house!-To-morrow's Saturday-Hem! Re-enter MR DORNTON. Dorn. Your servant, gentlemen, your servant. Pray, how happens it that you bring your accounts in here? 1 Trades. We received notice, sir. Dorn. You have none of you any demands upon me? |