Gold. You're an old trader in sin-There's no be ing too deep for you! Silky. Ah, ha, ha, hạ! Do you think so, Mr Goldfinch? Gold. But I should like to see you on your deathbed. [A blow from one of the closets. Silky. Bless my soul!-What's that? Gold. Zounds!-Odd enough-I believe he's coming for you before your time! Widow. It was very strange! Silky. I declare, I am all of a tremble! Widow. Come, come, let us get the shocking busi ness over- -Where is the will? Gold. Don't shake so, man! Silky. Well, well-First sign the bond-[WIDOW and GOLDFINCH going to sign, another knock heard.} Lord have mercy upon me! Gold. I smell sulphur! Widow. Save me, Mr Goldfinch! [Pause. Gold. Pshaw!-Zounds, it's only some cat in the closet. Silky. I heard it in both the closets! Gold. Why then there are two cats -Come, I'll sign- [WIDOW and GOLDFINCH sign the bond. Silky. Where's the promise? Gold. Here it is [Laying it on the table. Silky. And here is the will-which, that all may be safe, we will immediately commit to the flames [Is going to burn it at the candle. Four succes sive loud knocks are heard, one from each of the doors. SILKY starts, drops one candle, and overturns the other-The stage dark. Silky. Lord have mercy upon us! Gold. My hair stands on end! [Violent knocking at both closets, and at the doors. Widow. Save me, Mr Goldfinch !-Protect me! Ah! [Shrieks. [SULKY and MILFORD burst open the closets, and seize on the bond and promise:-then open the chamber doors, at one of which Enter JENNY, with Lights; and, at the other, SOPHIA, HARRY DORNTON, and MR DORnton. Soph. Dear ma', what's the matter? Sulky. Where's the will? [SILKY recovers himself, and snatches it up.] Give it me, you old scoundrel! -Give it me this instant, or I'll throttle you! [Wrests it from him. Milf. So, gentlemen-You are a pretty pair of knaves! Sulky. And you are a very worthy lady! -Don't talk to me!-I shall never recover my senses again! Harry. What has happened, gentlemen? How came you thus all locked up together? Dorn. Are you here, Mr Silky? Sulky. Yes-There's the honest, grateful, friendly, Mr Silky! Who would betray his friends, plunder the living, and defraud the dead, for the ease of his conscience, and to provide for his family! Gold. Old one-You're done up! Sulky. And here is the girlish old coquette, who would rob her daughter, and leave her husband's son to rot in a dungeon, that she might marry the first fool she could find. Gold. Widow-You're dished!-[SULKY examines the will.] Lost your last chance. Dorn. A broken gamester, nurtured in idleness, ignorance, and dissipation; whose ridings, racings, and drivings, are over, and whose whole train of horses, dogs, curricles, phaetons, and fooleries must come to the hammer immediately, is no great loss.-I knew 1 your father, sir-'tis happy for him, that he is dead! trade Gold. Damn trade! Who's for the spring meeting -cross 'em and wind 'em-seven to five you don't name the winner-I'm for life and a curricle-a cut at the caster, and the long odds-damn trade-the four aces, a back hand, and a lucky nick-I'm a deep one-that's your sort! [Exit. Sulky. And now, madam Widow. Keep off, monster! You smell of malice, cruelty, and persecution. Sulky. No, madam, I smell of honesty :-A drug you nauseate, but with which you must forcibly be dosed. I have glanced over the will, and find I have the power. Widow. Let me go, goblin !- -You are a hideous person, and I hate the sight of you!-Your breast is flint!-Flint, unfeeling Gorgon! and I abominate you! [Exit into an inner chamber. Soph. Nah, you are a kind, good, cross old soul, and I am sure you will forgive my poor ma'.-We ought all to forget and forgive-Ought not we, Mr Dornton? Harry. [With rapture, and looking to his father.] Do you hear, sir? Dorn. Harry has told me of your innocent, pure, and unsuspecting heart-I love you for having called me an ugly monster. Soph. [To HARRY.] La, Mr Dornton, how could you Sulky. Harry-give me your hand—you have a generous and a noble nature! But your generosity would have proved more pernicious than even your dissipation. No misfortunes, no, not the beggary and ruin of a father, could justify so unprincipled a marriage! Dorn. And now, [To MR SULKY.] my friend Milf. My father Harry. My Sulky. Whoo!-If you wish to get another word from me to-night, have done.-[Turning to SILKY.] "I hate fawning. Silky. Ah, Mr Sulky, you will have your humour. Sulky. The undiscriminating generosity of this young man supported you in your day of distress; for which, serpent-like, you turned to sting your pre server. Silky. Ah, you will have your humour. Sulky. Yes-and it is my humour to see, that your villainy shall be exposed in its true colours. Hypocrisy, falsehood, and fraud, are your familiars. To screen your avarice you made it believed, that this - gentleman had been the cause of lodging the detainders, and had done the dirty work, of which even you were ashamed. But the creditors shall receive their full demand. Dorn. The proposal is just. Listen to that worthy man; and, if you can, be honest with a good grace. Every thing will then be readily adjusted, and, I hope, to the satisfaction of all parties. [Exeunt omnes. THE END. |