第3章

[Triestolookathimagain，butcannot。] Sostrongmyfears，DreadtoconfirmthemtakesawaythepowerTotryandendthem！Cometheworst，I’lllook。 [Shetriesagain；andagainisunequaltothetask。] I’dsinkbeforehimifImethiseye！ Clif。Will’tpleaseyourladyshiptotaketheletter？ Julia。ThereCliffordspeaksagain！NotClifford’sheartCouldmoremakeClifford’svoice！NotClifford’stongueAndlipsmoreframeitintoClifford’sspeech！ Aquestion，and’tisover！KnowIyou？ Clif。Reverseoffortune，lady，changesfriends； Itturnsthemintostrangers。WhatIamIhavenotalwaysbeen！ Julia。CouldInotnameyou？ Clif。Ifyourdisdainforone，perhapstooboldWhenhollowfortunecalledhimfavourite，- NowbyherficklenessperforcereducedTotakeanhumbletone，wouldsufferyou- Julia。Imight？ Clif。Youmight！ Julia。Oh，Clifford！isityou？ Clif。Youranswertomylord。 [Givestheletter。] Julia。Yourlord！ [Mechanicallytakingit。] Clif。Wiltwriteit？ Or，willitpleaseyousendaverbalone？ I’llbearitfaithfully。 Julia。You’llbearit？ Clif。Madam，Yourpardon，butmyhasteissomewhaturgent。 Mylord’simpatient，andtousedespatchWerehisrepeatedorders。 Julia。Orders？Well，I’llreadtheletter，sir。’TisrightyoumindHislordship’sorders。Theyareparamount！ Nothingshouldsupersedethem！——standbesidethem！ Theymeritallyourcare，andhaveit！Fit，Mostfit，theyshould！Givemetheletter，sir。 Clif。Youhaveit，madam。 Julia。So！HowpoorathingIlook！solost，whileheisallhimself！ HaveInopride？ [Sherings，theServantenters。] Paper，andpen，andink！ Ifhecanfreeze，’tistimethatIgrowcold！ I’llreadtheletter。 [Opensit，andholdsitasabouttoreadit。] Mindhisorders！So！ Quicklyhefitshishabitstohisfortunes！ Heservesmylordwithallhiswill！Hisheart’sInhisvocation。So！Isthistheletter？ ’Tisupsidedown——andhereI’mporingon’t！ MostfitIlethimseemeplaythefool！ Shame！Letmebemyself！ [AServantenterswithmaterialsforwriting。] Atable，sir，Andchair。 [TheServantbringsatableandchair，andgoesout。Shesitsawhile，vacantlygazingontheletter——thenlooksatCLIFFORD。] Howplainlyshowshishumblesuit！ Itfitsnothimthatwearsit！Ihavewrongedhim！ Hecan’tbehappy——doesnotlookit！——isnot。 ThateyewhichreadsthegroundisargumentEnough！Helovesme。ThereIlethimstand，AndIamsitting！ [Rises，takesachair，andapproachesCLIFFORD。] Prayyoutakeachair。 [Hebows，asacknowledginganddecliningthehonour。Shelooksathimawhile。] Clifford，whydon’tyouspeaktome？ [Sheweeps。] Clif。ItrustYou’rehappy。 Julia。Happy！Very，veryhappy！ YouseeIweep，Iamsohappy！TearsAresigns，youknow，ofnaughtbuthappiness！ WhenfirstIsawyou，littledidIlookTobesohappy！——Clifford！ Clif。Madam？ Julia。Madam！ IcalltheeClifford，andthoucall’stmemadam！ Clif。Suchtheaddressmydutystintsmeto。 ThouartthewifeelectofaproudEarl，Whosehumblesecretary，sole，amI。 Julia。Mostright！Ihadforgot！Ithankyou，sir，Forsoremindingme；andgiveyoujoy，Thatwhat，Isee，hadbeenaburthentoyou，Isfairlyoffyourhands。 Clif。Aburthentome！ Meanyouyourself？Areyouthatburthen，Julia？ Saythatthesun’saburthentotheearth！ Saythattheblood’saburthentotheheart！ Sayhealth’saburthen，peace，contentment，joy，Fame，riches，honours！everythingthatmanDesires，andgivesthenameofblessingtoE’ensuchaburthen，Juliaweretome，Hadfortuneletmewearher。 Julia。[Aside。]OnthebrinkOfwhataprecipiceI’mstanding！Back，Back！whilethefacultyremainstodo’t！ Aminutelonger，notthewhirlpool’sselfMoresuretosuckmedown！Oneeffort！There！ [Shereturnstoherseat，recoversherself-possession，takesuptheletter，andreads。] Towedto-morrownight！Wedwhom？AmanWhomIcanneverlove！IshouldbeforeHavethoughtofthat。To-morrownight！ThishourTo-morrow！HowItremble！HappybandsTowhichmyheartsuchfreezingwelcomegives，Assendsanaguethroughme！AtwhatmeansWillnotthedesperatesnatch！What’shonour’sprice？ Norfriends，norlovers，——no，norlifeitself！ Clifford！Thismomentleaveme！ [CLIFFORDretiresupthestageoutofJULIA’Ssight。] Ishegone？ Odocilelover！Dohismistress’wishThatwentagainsthisown！DoitsosoonErewell’twasuttered！Nogood-byetoher！ Noword！nolook！’Twasbestthathesowent！ Alas，thestraitofher，whoownsthatbest，Whichlastshe’dwishweredone？What’sleftmenow？ Toweep！Toweep！ [Leansherheaduponherarm，whichrestsuponthedesk，——herotherarmhanginglistlesslyatherside。CLIFFORDcomesdownthestage，looksamomentather，approachesher，andkneeling，takesherhand。] Clif。MyJulia！ Julia。Hereagain！ Up！up！ByallthyhopesofHeaven，gohence！ Tostay’sperditiontome！Lookyou，Clifford！ Werethereagravewherethouartkneelingnow，I’dwalkinto’t，andbeinearthedalive，Eretaintshouldtouchmyname！ShouldsomeonecomeAndseetheekneelingthus！Letgomyhand！ Remember，Clifford，I’mapromisedbride- Andtakethyarmaway！IthasnorightToclaspmywaist！Judgeyousopoorlyofme，AsthinkI’llsufferthis？Myhonour，sir！ [Shebreaksfromhim，quittingherseat。] I’mgladyou’veforcedmetorespectmyself- You’llfindthatIcandoso！ Clif。Iwasbold- Forgetfulofyourstationandmyown； TherewasatimeIheldyourhandunchid！ TherewasatimeImighthaveclaspedyourwaist- Ihadforgotthattimewaspastandgone！ Iprayyou，pardonme！ Julia。[Softened。]Idoso，Clifford。 Clif。Ishallnomoreoffend。 Julia。Makesureofthat。 Nolongerisitfitthoukeep’stthypostIn’slordship’shousehold。Giveitup！Aday- Anhourremainnotinit！ Clif。Wherefore？ Julia。LiveInthesamehousewithme，andIanother’s？ Putmiles，putleaguesbetweenus！ThesamelandShouldnotcontainus。Oceansshoulddivideus- Withbarriersofconstanttempests——suchAsmarinersdurstnottempt！OClifford！ Rashwastheactsolightthatgavemeup，Thatstungawoman’spride，anddrovehermad- Tillinherfrenzyshedestroyedherpeace！ Oh，itwasrashlydone！Hadyoureproved- Expostulated，——hadyoureasonedwithme- Triedtofindoutwhatwasindeedmyheart，- Iwouldhaveshownit——you’dhaveseenit。AllHadbeenasnaughtcaneverbeagain！ Clif。Lovestthoume，Julia？ Julia。Dostthouaskme，Clifford？ Clif。Thesenuptialsmaybeshunned！- Julia。Withhonour？ Clif。Yes！ Julia。Thentakeme！——Stop——hearme，andtakemethen！ Letnotthypassionbemycounsellor！ Dealwithme，Clifford，asmybrother。BeThejealousguardianofmyspotlessname！ Scanthoumycauseas’twerethysister’s。LetThyscrutinyo’erlooknopointofit，- Norturnitoveronce，butmanyatime：- Thatflaw，speck——yea，——theshadeofone，——asoilSoslight，notoneoutofathousandeyesCouldfinditout，maynotescapethee；thenSayifthesenuptialscanbeshunnedwithhonour！ Clif。Theycan。 Julia。Thentakeme，Clifford！[Theyembrace。] Wal。[Entering。]Ha！What’sthis？ Ha！treason！What！mybaronetthatwas，Mysecretarynow？Yourservant，sir！ Is’tthusyoudothepleasureofyourlord，- Thatforyourservicefeedsyou，clothesyou，paysyou！ Ortakestthoubutthenameofhisdependent？ What’shere？——aletter。FiftycrownstooneAforgery！I’mwrong。Itishishand。 Thisprovestheedoubletraitor！ Clif。Traitor！ Julia。Nay，Controlthywrath，goodMasterWalter！Do- AndI’llpersuadehimtogohence- [MASTERWALTERretiresupthestage。]IseeFormethoubearestthis，andthankthee，Clifford！ Asthouhasttrulyshownthyhearttome，SotrulyItotheehaveopenedmine！ Timeflies！To-morrow！IfthylovecanfindAway，suchasthousaidst，formyenlargementByanymeansthoucanst，apprisemeofit； And，soonasshown，I’lltakeit。 Wal。Ishegone？ Julia。Heisthismoment。Ifthoucovetestme，Winme，andwearme！MayItrustthee？Oh！ Ifthat’sthysoul，that’slookingthroughthineeyes，Thoulovestme，andImay！——Isicken，lestIneverseetheemoreClif。Aslifeismine，Theringthatonthywedding-fingergoesNohandbutmineshallplacethere！ Wal。Lingershe？ Julia。Formysake，nowaway！Andyetaword。 Byallthyhopesmostdear，betruetome！ Gonow！——yetstay！Clifford，whileyouarehere，I’mlikeabarkdistressedandcompassless，Thatbyabeaconsteers；whenyou’reaway，Thatbarkaloneandtossingmilesatsea！ Nowgo！Farewell！Mycompass——beacon——land！ Whenshallmyeyesbeblessedwiththeeagain！ Clif。Farewell！[Goesout。] Julia。Artgone？All’schance——all’scare——all’sdarkness。 [IsledoffbyMASTERWALTER。] ACTV。 SCENEI。——AnApartmentintheEarlofRochdale’s。 [EnterHELENandFATHOM。] Fath。Thelongandshortofitisthis——ifshemarriesthislord，she’llbreakherheart！Iwishyoucouldseeher，madam。Poorlady！ Helen。Howlooksshe，prithee？ Fath。Marry，foralltheworldlikeadripping-wetcambrichandkerchief！Shehasnocolournorstrengthinher；anddoesnothingbutweep——poorlady！ Helen。Tellmeagainwhatsaidshetothee？ Fath。SheofferedmeallshewasmistressoftotakethelettertoMasterClifford。Shedrewherpursefromherpocket——theringfromherfinger——shetookherveryearringsoutofherears——butIwasforbidden，andrefused。AndnowI’msorryforit！Poorlady！ Helen。Thoushouldstbesorry。Thouhastahardheart，Fathom。 Fath。I，madam！Myheartisassoftasawoman’s。YoushouldhaveseenmewhenIcameoutofherchamber——poorlady！ Helen。Didyoucry？ Fath。No；butIwasasnearitaspossible。Iahardheart！I woulddoanythingtoserveher，poorsweetlady！ Helen。Willyoutakeherletter，askssheyouagain？ Fath。No——Iamforbid。 Helen。WillyouhelpMasterCliffordtoaninterviewwithher？ Fath。No——MasterWalterwouldfinditout。 Helen。Willyoucontrivetogetmeintoherchamber？ Fath。No——youwouldbesuretobringmeintomischief。 Helen。Goto！Youwoulddonothingtoserveher。Youasoftheart！Youhavenoheartatall！Youfeelnotforher！ Fath。ButItellyouIdo——andgoodrightIhavetofeelforher。 Ihavebeeninlovemyself。 Helen。Withyourdinner！ Fath。Iwouldithadbeen！Mypainwouldsoonhavebeenover，andatlittlecost。AfortuneIsquandereduponher！——trinkets—— trimmings——treatings——whatswalloweduptherevenueofawholeyear！ Wasn’tIinlove？SixmonthsIcourtedher，andadozencrownsallbutonedidIdisburseforherinthattime！Wasn’tIinlove？Anhostler——atapster——andaconstable，courtedheratthesametime，andIofferedtocudgelthewholethreeofthemforher！Wasn’tI inlove？ Helen。Youareavaliantman，Fathom。 Fath。AmnotI？WalksnottheearththemanIamafraidof。 Helen。FearyounotMasterWalter？ Fath。No。 Helen。Youdo！ Fath。Idon’t！ Helen。I’llproveittoyou。Youseehimbreakingyouryoungmistress’sheart，andhavenotthemanhoodtostandbyher。 Fath。WhatcouldIdoforher？ Helen。Letheroutofprison。Itweretheactofaman。 Fath。ThatmanamI！ Helen。Wellsaid，braveFathom！ Fath。Butmyplace！ Helen。I’llprovidetheewithabetterone。 Fath。’Tisacapitalplace！Solittletodo，andsomuchtogetfor’t。Sixpoundsintheyear；twosuitsoflivery；shoesandstockings，andafamouslarder。He’dbeaboldmanthatwouldputsuchaplaceinjeopardy。Myplace，madam，myplace！ Helen。ItelltheeI’llprovidetheewithabetterplace。Thoushalthavelesstodo，andmoretoget。Now，Fathom，hastthoucouragetostandbythymistress？ Fath。Ihave！ Helen。That’sright。 Fath。I’llletmyladyout。 [EnterMASTERWALTERunperceived。] Helen。That’sright。When，Fathom？ Fath。To-night。 Helen。Sheistobemarriedto-night。 Fath。Thisevening，then。MasterWalterisnowinthelibrary，thekeyisontheoutside，andI’lllockhimin。 Helen。Excellent！You’lldoit？ Fath。Relyuponit。Howhe’llstarewhenhefindshimselfaprisoner，andmyyoungladyatliberty！ Helen。Mostexcellent！You’llbesuretodoit？ Fath。Dependuponme！WhenFathomundertakesathing，hedefiesfireandwater- Wal。[Comingforward。]Fathom！ Fath。Sir！ Wal。Assemblestraighttheservants。 Fath。Yes，sir！ Wal。Mind，AndhavetheminthehallwhenIcomedown。 Fath。Yes，sir！ Wal。Andseeyoudonotstirastep，ButwhereIorderyou。 Fath。Notaninch，sir！ Wal。Seethatyoudon’t——away！So，myfairmistress，[FATHOMgoesout。] What’sthisyouhavebeenplotting？AnescapeFormistressJulia？ Helen。Iavowit。 Wal。Doyou？ Helen。Yes；andmoreovertoyourfaceItellyou，Mosthardlydoyouuseher！ Wal。Verily！ Helen。Iwonderwhere’sherspirit！HadshemineShewouldnottake’tsoeasily。DoyoumeanToforcethismarriageonher？ Wal。Withyourleave。 Helen。Youlaugh。 Wal。Withoutit，then。Idon’tlaughnow。 Helen。IfIwereshe，I’dfindawaytoescape。 Wal。Whatwouldyoudo？ Helen。I’dleapoutofthewindow！ Wal。Yourwindowshouldbebarred。 Helen。I’dcheatyoustill！- I’dhangmyselfereI’dbeforcedtomarry！ Wal。Wellsaid！Youshallbemarried，then，tonight。 Helen。Marriedto-night！ Wal。AssureasIhavesaidit。 Helen。Twowordstothat。Praywho’stobemybridegroom？ Wal。Adaughter’shusbandisherfather’schoice。 Helen。Myfather’sdaughterne’ershallwedsuchhusband！ Wal。Indeed！ Helen。I’llpickahusbandformyself。 Wal。Indeed！ Helen。Indeed，sir；andindeedagain！ Wal。Godressyouforthemarriageceremony。 Helen。But，MasterWalter，whatisityoumean？ [EnterMODUS。] Wal。Herecomesyourcousin；——heshallbeyourbridesman！ Thethought’sasuddenone，——thatwillexcuseDefectinyourappointments。Aplaindress，- So’tisofwhite，——willdo。 Helen。I’lldressinblack。 I’llquitthecastle。 Wal。Thatyoushallnotdo。 Itsdoorsareguardedbymylord’sdomestics，Itsavenues——itsgrounds。Whatyoumustdo，Dowithagoodgrace！Inanhour，orless，Yourfatherwillbehere。MakeupyourmindTotakewiththankfulnessthemanhegivesyou。 Now，[Aside]iftheyfindnotouthowbeattheirhearts，Ihavenoskill，notI，infeelingpulses。 [Goesout。] Helen。Why，cousinModus！What！willyoustandbyAndseemeforcedtomarry？CousinModus！ Haveyounotgotatongue？Haveyounoteyes？ DoyounotseeI’mvery——veryill，Andnotachairinallthecorridor？ Mod。I’llfindoneinthestudy。 Helen。Hangthestudy！ Mod。Myroom’sathand。I’llfetchonethence。 Helen。Youshan’tI’dfaintereyoucameback！ Mod。WhatshallIdo？ Helen。Whydon’tyouoffertosupportme？Well？ Givemeyourarm——bequick！[MODUSoffershisarm。] IsthatthewayTohelpaladywhenshe’sliketofaint？ I’lldropunlessyoucatchme！[MODUSsupportsher。] Thatwilldo。 I’mbetternow——[MODUSofferstoleaveher]don’tleaveme！IsonewellBecauseone’sbetter？Holdmyhand。Keepso。 I’llsoonrecoversoyoumovenot。Loveshe- [Aside。] WhichI’llbeswornhedoes，he’llownitnow。 Well，cousinModus？ Mod。Well，sweetcousin！ Helen。Well？ YouheardwhatMasterWaltersaid？ Mod。Idid。 Helen。Andwouldyouhavememarry？Can’tyouspeak？ Sayyesorno。 Mod。No，cousin！ Helen。Bravelysaid！ Andwhy，mygallantcousin？ Mod。Why？ Helen。Ay，why？- Women，youknow，arefondofreasons——whyWouldyounothavememarry？Howyoublush！ Isitbecauseyoudonotknowthereason？ YoumindmeofastoryofacousinWhooncehercousinsuchaquestionasked。 Hehadnotbeentocollege，though——forbooks，Hadpassedhistimeinreadingladies’eyes。 Whichhecouldconstruemarvellouslywell，Thoughwritinlanguageallsymbolical。 Thusstoodtheyoncetogether，onaday- Aswestandnow——discoursedaswediscourse，- Butwiththisdifference，——fiftygentlewordsHespoketoher，foroneshespoketohim！- Whatadearcousin！Well，asIdidsay，AsnowIquestionedthee，shequestionedhim。 Andwhatwashisreply？TothinkofitSetsmyheartbeating——’twassokindaone！ Solikeacousin’sanswer——adearcousin！ Agentle，honest，gallant，lovingcousin！ Whatdidhesay？——Amanmightfinditout，ThoughneverreadheOvid’sArtofLove- Whatdidhesay？He’dmarryherhimself！ Howstupidareyou，cousin！Letmego！ Mod。Youarenotwellyet？ Helen。Yes。 Mod。I’msureyou’renot。 Helen。I’msureIam。 Mod。Nay，letmeholdyou，cousin！Ilikeit。 Helen。Doyou？IwouldwageryouYoucouldnottellmewhyyoulikeit。Well？ YouseehowtrueIknowyou！Howyoustare！ Whatseeyouinmyfacetowonderat？ Mod。Apairofeyes！ Helen。Atlasthe’llfindhistongue——[Aside。] Andsawyoune’erapairofeyesbefore？ Mod。Notsuchapair。 Helen。Andwhy？ Mod。Theyaresobright！ YouhaveaGreciannose。 Helen。Indeed。 Mod。Indeed！ Helen。WhatkindofmouthhaveI？ Mod。Ahandsomeone。Ineversawsosweetapairoflips！ Ine’ersawlipsatalltillnow，dearcousin！ Helen。Cousin，I’mwell，——youneednotholdmenow。 Doyounothear？ItellyouIamwell！ Ineedyourarmnolonger——take’taway！ Sotightitlocksme，’tiswithpainIbreathe！ Letmego，cousin！WhereforedoyouholdYourfacesoclosetomine？Whatdoyoumean？ Mod。You’vequestionedme，andnowI’llquestionyou。 Helen。Whatwouldyoulearn？ Mod。Theuseoflips。 Helen。Tospeak。 Mod。Naughtelse？ Helen。Howboldmymodestcousingrows！ Why，otheruseknowyou？ Mod。Ido！ Helen。Indeed！ You’rewondrouswise？Andpraywhatisit？ Mod。This！[Attemptstokissher。] Helen。Soft！myhandthanksyou，cousin——formylipsIkeepthemforahusband！——Nay，standoff！ I’llnotbeheldinmanaclesagain！ Whydoyoufollowme？ Mod。Iloveyou，cousin！ Helen。Ocousin，sayyouso！That’spassingstrange！ Fallsoutmostcrossly——isadiremishap- Athingtosighfor，weepfor，languishfor，Anddiefor！ Mod。Diefor！ Helen，Yes，withlaughter，cousin，For，cousin，Iloveyou！ Mod。Andyou’llbemine？ Helen。Iwill。 Mod。Yourhanduponit。 Helen。Handandheart。 Hietothydressing-room，andI’lltomine- Attiretheeforthealtar——sowillI。 Whoe’ermayclaimme，thou’rtthemanshallhaveme。 Away！Despatch！Butharkyou，ereyougo，Ne’erbragofreadingOvid’sArtofLove！ Mod。Andcousin！stop——onelittlewordwithyou！ [Shereturns，hesnatchesakiss——Theygooutseverally。] SCENEII。——Julia’sChamber。 [EnterJULIA。] Julia。Nowordfromhim，andeveningnowsetin！ Hecannotplaymefalse！HismessengerIsdogged——orletterintercepted。I’mBesetwithspies！——Norescue！——Noescape！- Thehourathandthatbringsmybridegroomhome！ Norelativetoaidme！friendtocounselme。 [Aknockatthedoor。] Comein。 [EntertwoFemaleAttendants。] Yourwill？ FirstAttendant。Yourtoiletwaits，mylady； ’Tistimeyoudress。 Julia。’TistimeIdie！[Apealofbells。]What’sthat？ FirstAttendant。Yourweddingbells，mylady。 Julia。MerrilyTheyringmyknell！ [SecondAttendantpresentsanopencase。] Andprayyouwhatarethese？ SecondAttendant。Yourweddingjewels。 Julia。Setthemby。 SecondAttendant。Indeed。 Wasne’erabraverset！Anecklace，brooch，Andearringsallofbrilliants，withahoopToguardyourweddingring。 Julia。’TwouldneedaguardThatlacksahearttokeepit！ SecondAttendant。Here’saheartSuspendedfromthenecklace——onehugediamondImbeddedinahostofsmallerones！ Oh！howitsparkles！ Julia。Showitme！Brightheart，Thylustre，shouldIwearthee，willbefalse，- Forthoutheemblemartofloveandtruth，- Fromherthatwearstheeuntohimthatgivesthee。 Backtothycase！Betterthoune’ershouldstleaveit- BetterthygemsathousandfathomsdeepIntheirnativemineagain，thangracemyneck，Andlendthyfairfacetopalmoffalie！ FirstAttendant。Will’tpleaseyoudress？ Julia。Ah！ininfectedclothesNewfromapest-house！Leaveme！IfIdress，Idressalone！Oforafriend！Timegallops！ [Attendantsgoout。] Hethatshouldguardmeismineenemy！ Constrainsmetoabidethefataldie，Myrashness，notmyreasoncast！Hecomes，Thatwillexacttheforfeit！——MustIpayit？- E’enatthecostofutterbankruptcy！ What’stobedone？PronouncethevowthatpartsMybodyfrommysoul！TowhatitloathesLinksthat，whilethisislinkedtowhatitloves！ Condemnedtosuchperdition！What’stobedone？ Standatthealtarinanhourfromthis！ Anhourthenceseatedathisboard——awifeThence！——frenzy’sinthethought！What’stobedone？ [EnterMASTERWALTER。] Wal。What！runthewavessohigh？Notreadyyet！ Yourlordwillsoonbehere！Theguestscollect。 Julia。Showmesomewayto’scapethesenuptials！Doit！ Someopeningforavoidanceorescape，- OrtothychargeI’lllayabrokenheart！ Itmaybe，brokenvows，andblastedhonour，Orelseaminddistraught！ Wal。What’sthis？ Julia。ThestraitI’mfallenintomypatiencecannotbear。 Itfrightsmyreason——warpsmysenseofvirtue！ Religion！——changesmeintoathingIlookatwithabhorring！ Wal。Listentome。 Julia。Listentome！IfthiscontractThouholdestmeto——abidethoutheresult！ AnswertoheavenforwhatIsuffer！——act！ PreparethyselfforsuchcalamityTofallonme，andthosewhoseevilstarsHavelinkedthemwithme，asnopastmishap，Howeverrare，andmarvellouslysadCanparallel！laythyaccounttoliveAsmilelesslife，dieanunpitieddeath- Abhorred，abandonedofthykind，——asoneWhohadtheguardingofayoungmaid’speace，- Lookedonandsawherrashlyperilit； Andwhenshesawherdanger，andconfessedHerfault，compelledhertocompleteherruin！ Wal。Hastdone？ Julia。Anothermoment，andIhave。 Bewarned！BewarehowyouabandonmeTomyself！I’myoung，rash，inexperienced！temptedBymostinsufferablemisery！ Bold，desperate，andreckless！ThouhastageExperience，wisdom，andcollectedness，- Power，freedom，——everythingthatIhavenot，Yetwant，asnonee’erwanted！Thoucanstsaveme，Thououghtst！thoumust！ItelltheeathisfeetI’llfallacorse——eremounthisbridalbed！ Sochoosebetwixtmyrescueandmygrave；- Andquicklytoo！ThehourofsacrificeIsnear！AnontheimmolatingpriestWillsummonme！DevisesomespeedymeansTocheatthealtarofitsvictim。Doit！ Norleavethetasktome！ Wal。Hastdone？ Julia。Ihave。 Wal。Thenlisttome——andsilently，ifnotWithpatience。——[Bringschairsforhimselfandher。] HowIwatchedtheefromthychildhoodI’llnotrecalltothee。Thyfather’swisdom- WhosehumbleinstrumentIwas——directedYournonageshouldbepassedinprivacy，Fromyouraptmindthatfaroutstrippedyouryears，Fearingthetaintofaninfectedworld；- For，intherichgrounds，weedsoncetakingroot，Growstrongasflowers。Hemightberightorwrong！ Ithoughthimright；andthereforedidhisbidding。 Mostcertainlyhelovedyou——sodidI； Ay！wellasIhadbeenmyselfyourfather！ [Hishandisrestinguponhisknee，JULIAattemptstotakeit——hewithdrawsit——looksather——shehangsherhead。] Well；youmaytakemyhand！IneednotsayHowfastyougrewinknowledge，andingoodness，- ThathopecouldscarceenjoyitsgoldendreamsSosoonfulfilmentrealisedthemall！ Enough。Youcametowomanhood。Yourheart，Pureastheleafoftheconsummatebud，That’snewunfoldedbythesmilingsun，Andne’erknewblightnorcanker！ [JULIAattemptstoplaceherotherhandonhisshoulder——heleansfromher——looksather——shehangsherheadagain。] Putitthere！ WhereleftIoff？Iknow！WhenagoodwomanIsfitlymated，shegrowsdoublygood，Howgoodsoe’erbefore！IfoundthemanIthoughtamatchforthee；and，soonasfound，Proposedhimtothee。’Twasyourfather’swill，Occasionoffering，youshouldbemarriedSoonasyoureachedtowomanhood。——YoulikedMychoice，acceptedhim。——Wecametotown； Where，byimportantmattersummonedthence，Ileftyouanaffiancedbride！ Julia。Youdid！ Youdid！[Leansherheaduponherhandandweeps。] Wal。Nay，checkthytears！Letjudgmentnow，Notpassion，beawake。Onmyreturn，Ifoundthee——what？I’llnotdescribethethingIfoundtheethen！I’llnotdescribemypangsToseetheesuchathing！TheengineerWholaysthelaststoneofhissea-builttower，Itcosthimyearsandyearsoftoiltoraise- And，smilingatit，tellsthewindsandwavesToroarandwhistlenow——but，inanight，Beholdsthetempestsportinginitsplace- Maylookaghast，asIdid！ Julia。[Fallingonherknees。]Pardonme！ Forgiveme！pityme！ Wal。Resumethyseat。[Raisesher。] Ipitythee；perhapsnottheealoneItfitstosueforpardon。 Julia。Mealone！ Noneother！ Wal。Buttovindicatemyself，Inamethylover’ssterndesertionofthee。 Whatwastthouthenwithwoundedpride？AthingToleapintoatorrent！throwitselfFromaprecipice！rushintoafire！IsawThymadness——knewtothwartitweretochafeit- Andhumouredittotakethatcourse，Ithought，Adopted，least’twouldrue！ Julia。’Twaswiselydone。 Wal。Atleast’twasforthebest。 Julia。ToblametheeforitWasaddingshametoshame！ButMasterWalter，Thesenuptials！——musttheyneedsgoon？ Servant。[Entering。]MoreguestsArrive。 Wal。Attendtothem。[Servantgoesout。] Julia。DearMasterWalter！ Istherenowaytoescapethesenuptials？ Wal。Know’stnotWhatwiththesenuptialscomes？Hastthouforgot？ Julia。What？ Wal。Nothing！——Ididtelltheeofathing。 Julia。Whatwasit？ Wal。Toforgetitwasafault！ Lookbackandthink。 Julia。Ican’trememberit。 Wal。Fathers，makestrawsyourchildren！Nature’snothing，Bloodnothing！Onceinotherveinsitruns，Itnomoreyearnethfortheparentflood，Thandoththestreamthatfromthesourcedisparts。 Talknotofloveinstinctive——whatyoucallsoIsbutthebratofcustom！YourownfleshByhabitcleavestoyou——without，Hathnoadhesion。[Aside。]So；youhaveforgotYouhaveafather，andareheretomeethim！ Julia。I’llnotdenyit。 Wal。Youshouldblushfor’t。 Julia。No！ No！no：hear，MasterWalter！what’safatherThatyou’venotbeentome？Nay，turnnotfromme，ForatthenameaholyaweIown，Thatnowalmostinclinesmykneetoearth！ Butthoutome，exceptafather’sname，Hastallthefatherbeen：thecare——thelove- Theguidance——theprotectionofafather。 Canstwonder，then，iflikethychildIfeel，- Andfeelingso，thatfather’sclaimforgetWhomne’erIknewsavebythenameofone？ Oh，turntome，anddonotchideme！orIfthouwiltchide，chideon！butturntome！ Wal。[Strugglingwithemotion。]MyJulia！ [Embracesher。] Julia。Now，dearMasterWalter，hearme！ Istherenowayto’scapethesenuptials？ Wal。Julia，Apromisemadeadmitsnotofrelease，SavebyconsentorforfeitureofthoseWhoholdit——soitshouldbeponderedwellBeforeweletitgo。EremanshouldsayIbrokethewordIhadthepowertokeep，I’dlosethelifeIhadthepowertopartwith！ Remember，Julia，thouandIto-dayMust，tothyfather，ofthytrainingrenderAstrictaccount。Whilehonour’slefttous，Wehavesomething——nothing，havingallbutthat。 Nowforthylastactofobedience，Julia！ Presentthyselfbeforethybridegroom！[Sheassents。]Good！ MyJulia’snowherself！Showhimthyheart，Andtohishonourleave’ttosettheefreeOrholdtheebound。Thyfatherwillbeby！ SCENEIII。——TheBanqueting’Room。 [EnterMASTERWALTERandMASTERHEARTWELL。] Heart。Thanks，MasterWalter！Ne’erwaschildmorebentTodoherfather’swill，you’llown，thanmine： Yetneveronemorefroward。 Wal。Allrunsfair- Fairmayallend！To-dayyou’lllearnthecauseThattookmeoutoftown。Butsoftawhile，- Herecomesthebridegroom，withhisfriends，andhereTheall-obedientbride。 [EnterononehandJULIA，andontheotherhandLORDROCHDALEwithLORDTINSELandfriends——afterwardsCLIFFORD。] Roch。Isshenotfair？ Tin。She’lldo。Yourservant，lady！MasterWalter，We’regladtoseeyou。Sirs，you’rewelcomeall。 Whatwaittheyfor？Arewetowedornot？ We’reready——whydon’ttheypresentthebride？ Ihopetheyknowsheistowedanearl。 Roch。ShouldIspeakfirst？ Tin。Notforyourcoronet！ I，asyourfriend，maymakethefirstadvance。 We’vecomeheretobemarried。Where’sthebride？ Wal。Therestandsshe，lord；if’tisherwilltowed，Hislordship’sfreetotakeher。 Tin。Notastep！ I，asyourfriend，mayleadhertoyourlordship。 Fairlady，byyourleave。 Julia。No！nottoyou。 Tin。Iaskyourhandtogiveittohislordship。 Julia。Nortohislordship——savehewillacceptMyhandwithoutmyheart！butI’llpresentMykneetohim，and，byhisloftyrank，ImplorehimnowtodoaloftydeedWillliftitsstatelyheadabovehisrank，- Asserthimnobleryetinworththanname，- And，intheplaceofanunwillingbride，Untoawillingdebtormakehimlord，- Whosethanksshallbehisvassals，nightanddayThatstillshallwaituponhim！ Tin。Whatmeansthis？ Julia。Whatis’tbehovesawifetobringherlord？ Wal。Awholeheart，andatrueone。 Julia。Ihavenone！ Nothalfaheart——thefractionofaheart！ AmIawomanitbefitstowed？ Wal。Why，where’sthyheart？ Julia。Gone——outofmykeeping！ Lost，pastrecovery：rightandtitletoit- Andallgivenup！andhethat’sowneron’t，Sofittowearit，wereitfiftyhearts，I’dgiveittohimall！ Wal。ThoudostnotmeanHislordship’ssecretary？ Julia。Yes。AwayDisguises！inthatsecretaryknowThemasteroftheheart，ofwhichthepoor，Unvalued，emptycasket，atyourfeet- Itsjewelgone——Inowdespairingthrow！ [Kneels。] Ofhislord’sbridehe’slord！lordparamount！ Towhomhervirginhomagefirstshepaid，- ’Gainstwhomrebelledinfrowardnessalone，Norknewherselfhowloyaltohim，tillAnotherclaimedherduty——thenawokeTosenseofallsheowedhim——allhisworth- Andallherundeservings！ Tin。Lady，wecamenotheretotreatofhearts，- Butmarriage；which，sopleaseyou，iswithusAsimplejoining，bythepriest，ofhands。 Aring’sputon，aprayerortwoissaid； You’remanandwife，——andnothingmore！Forhearts，Weoftenerdowithout，thanwiththem，lady！ Clif。Sodoesnotwedthislady！ Tin。Whoareyou？ Clif。I’msecretarytotheEarlofRochdale。 Tin。Mylord！ Roch。Iknowhimnot- Tin。Iknowhimnow- Yourlordship’srival！OnceSirThomasClifford。 Clif。Yes，andthebridegroomofthatladythen，Thenlovedher——lovesherstill！ Julia。Waslovedbyher- Thoughthensheknewitnot！——islovedbyher，Asnowsheknows，andalltheworldmayknow！ Tin。Wecan’tbelaughedat。Weareheretowed，Andshallfulfilourcontract。 Julia。Clifford！ Clif。Julia！ Youwillnotgiveyourhand？ [Apause。JULIAseemsutterlylost。] Wal。YouhaveforgotAgain。Youhaveafather！ Julia。Bringhimnow，- ToseethyJuliajustifythytraining，Andlayherlifedowntoredeemherword！ Wal。Andsoredeemsherall！Isityourwill，Mylord，thesenuptialsshouldgoon？ Roch。Itis。 Wal。Thenisitminetheystop！ Tin。ItoldyourlordshipYoushouldnotkeepaHunchbackforyouragent。 Wal。Thoughtlikemyfather，mygoodlord，whosaidHewouldnothaveaHunchbackforhisson- SodoIpardonyouthesavageslight。 Mylord，thatIamnotasstraightasyou，Wasblemishneitherofmythoughtnorwill，Myheadnorheart。Itwasnoactofmine- YetdiditcurdleNature’skindlymilkE’enwhere’tisrichest——inaparent’sbreast- Tocastmeouttoheartlessfosterage，Norheartlessalways，asitproved——andgiveMyportiontoanother！thesameblood- ButI’llbesworn，invein，mylord，andsoul- Althoughhistrunkdidswervenomorethanyours- NothalfsostraightasI。 Tin。UponmylifeYou’vegotamodestagent，Rochdale！NowHe’llprovehimselfdescended——markmywords- FromsomesmallgentlemanWal。Andsoyouthought，WhereNatureplayedthechurl，itwouldbefitThatfortuneplayedittoo。YouwouldhavehadMylordabsolvemeofmyagency！ Fairlord，theflawdidcostmefiftytimes- Ahundredtimesmyagency：-butall’sRecovered。Look，mylord，atestamentTomakeapensionofhislordship’srent-roll！ Itismyfather’s，andwasleftbyhim，Incasehisheirshoulddiewithoutason，Thentobeopened。HeavendidsendasonToblesstheheir。Heaventookitsgiftaway，Hedied——hisfatherdied。AndMasterWalter- Theunsightlyagentofhislordshipthere- TheHunchbackwhomyourlordshipwouldhavestrippedOfhisagency——isnowtheEarlofRochdale！ Tin。We’vemadeasmallmistakehere。Nevermind，’Tisnothinginalord。 Julia。TheEarlofRochdale！ Wal。Andwhatofthat？Thouknow’stnothalfmygreatness！ Aproudertitle，Julia，haveIyet，SoonerthanpartwithwhichI’dgivethatup，AndbeagainplainMasterWalter。What！ Dostthounotapprehendme？Yes，thoudost！ Commandthyself；don’tgasp。Mypupil——daughter！ Cometothyfather’sheart！ [JULIArushesintohisarms。] [EnterFATHOM。] Fath。Thievery！Elopement——escape——arrest！ Wal。What’sthematter？ Fath。MistressHelenisrunningawaywithMasterModus——MasterModusisrunningawaywithMistressHelen——butwehavecaughtthem，securedthem，andheretheycome，toreceivetherewardoftheirmerits。 [EnterHELENandMODUS，followedbyServants。] Helen。I’llne’erwedman，ifnotmycousinModus。 Mod。NorwomanI，savecousinHelen’sshe。 Wal。[ToMASTERHEARTWELL。]Adaughter，haveyou，andanephew，too，Withouttheirmatchinduty！Letthemmarry。 Foryou，sir，whoto-dayhavelostanearldom，Yetwouldhavesharedthatearldomwithmychild- Myonlyone——contentyourselfwithprospectOfthesuccession；itmustfalltoyou，Andfityourselftograceit。ApenotthoseWhorankbypride。ThemanofsimplestbearingIsyetalord，whenhe’salordindeed！ Tin。Theparadoxisobsolete。Ne’erheed！ Learnfromhisbook，andpractiseoutofmine！ Wal。SirThomasClifford，takemydaughter’shand！ Ifnowyouknowthemasterofherheart！ Giveit，myJulia！Yoususpect，Isee，Andrightly，therehasbeensomemaskinghere。 Contentthee，daughter，thoushaltknowanon，Howjealousyofmymis-shapenbackMadememistrustfulofachild’saffections- Whodoubtede’enawife’s——sothatIdroppedThetitleofthyfather，lestthydutyShouldpaythedebtthylovecouldsolvealone。 Allthisandmore，thattothyfriendsandtheePertains，atfittingtimethoushaltbetold。 Butnowthynuptialswait——thehappycloseOfthyhardtrial——wholesome，thoughsevere！ Theworldwon’tcheattheenow——thyheartisproved；- Thouknow’stthypeacebyfindingoutitsbane，Andne’erwillactfromrecklessimpulsemore！ Footnotes： {1}Theotherplay，TheLove-Chase，isreleasedinaseparatedeTextwithProjectGutenbergandnotincludedhere。——DP。 {2}Inrepresentation，thepassagesfollowingthisarecurtailedandthescenerunsasfollows：- MasterWaltercontinues- Thefirstsideshowstheirpassioninthedawn- Inthenextside’tisshiningopenday- Inthethirdthere’sclouding——IbuttouchontheseTomakealongtalebrief，andbringtheetoThelastside。 Julia。Whatshowsthat？ Wal。ThefateofloveThatwillnotbeadvised。——Thescene’sadungeon，Itstenantisthepage——heliesinfetters。 Julia。Hard！ Hardasthesteel，thehandsthatputthemon！&c。