me forgiveness. [During this Count Villars has entered, R. -he sees the picture-starts-then snatches it from his hand.] Ah, a robber !-Villain, I part with that picture but with life! Count V. With life be it, then. [Gives him a pistolretires a few paces.] Defend yourself! Enter BROADCAST and GAMEKEEPER, L. Broad. [Rushing between them.] Hold! Broad. Dare not to lay a hand upon him. Broad. Sir, I'm his Majesty's own petty constable, and when there's ony fighting, this is my authority for making one among them. And I would die to serve that man, Vin. Why? Broad. Because he would have died to save my child. Vin. He has robbed me. Broad. Robbed you! [Surprised and dejected.] No, sure. Vin. Wrenched from my hand a picture of value inestimable. Broad. Why, some people do take violent fancies to pictures. [Stily to Villars.]-Never heed-give it him again. Vin. This mystery shall be explained. Will you restore— Count V. Never! Vin. What motive urged you to seek my life? Vin. Who are you? [Count Villars, by the action of his hands, repels him, and turns away.] Seize him and follow me. I'll make good the charge.-Old man, do your duty. Exit, L. Broad. Young man, do yours. [To Gamekeeper.] Why don't you follow your master? Game. He ordered me to bring this man. Broad. He ordered you! and, pray, who am I? Come, don't stand there bullying me, and making a riot, or, as peace officer, I'll break every bone in your skin. Game. Very well, you act at your peril. [Exit Gamekeeper. Broad. At my peril be it. Count V. [Taking out the picture.] Rosine! Oh, my child! [Broadcast listens with astonishment.] Here thou art innocent, and I may kiss thee.--No more!--for thus a wretched father casts thee from him-thus, on the base earth-he [Looks at the picture, hesitates, and thrusts it in his bosom. Broad. His daughter-Miss Rosine-the daughter of—it may save the old man's life—it may give happiness-justice. -Noble Sir, you must come with me to Mr. Cleveland's. Count V. Never! Broad. You forget you are my prisoner. Count V. I did, indeed !-Vain worm, not yet humbled! -still wilt thou turn when trampled on. Broad. I tremble to offend you, but as it is to serve you, I'll even drag you there. [Seizes him, and is drawing away when a bell tolls at a distance; he drops Villars' hand.] "Tis all over!—that's old Mr. Cleveland's knell. Count V. [Kneeling.] Father of mercy! grant him that pardon which he denied his child.-Hope-hope no more. -Come, whither do you lead me? Broad. Not to Mr. Templeton's.-No, I'll go to Sir Guy Stanch.-Yes-come, sir.-'tis my office to walk first.-I know you'll not think of running away; because, if you were, I'm so touched in the wind I could not overtake you. -No, he won't go. Count V. Bury my secret deep in your breast. [Taking his hand. Broad. They mun tear my heart out that gets at it. [Exeunt, Broadcast supporting him, L. SCENE IV.-An Apartment at Mr. Cleveland's. A Cabinet sealed, Secretary Table. A knocking at the Door, L. Enter Mr. CLEVELAND'S STEWARD and SERVANT, 1. Stew. If that be Mr. Templeton, shew him in here. [Exit Servant, R. Enter TEMPLETON and ATTORNEY, R.-Templeton places his hat and cane on the table. Mr. Templeton, my honoured and beloved master, in his last moments, requested that you would make the disposition of his property immediately known. Tem. I will obey. His testament will be found here [Pointing to the cabinet.] Break the seals. [He opens a drawer, and takes out a will.] As you see-the date unaltered the same you witnessed. Stew. The same. Tem. Are there any other papers? [Examining the Cabinet. Tem. Pray, leave me. [Exit Attorney, L.] No alteration-no codicil.--None. [Turning over the leaves, a paper falls out unperceived.] Kind, liberal, lamented friend! If it might be permitted thee to know that this has saved thy friend from disgrace, from poverty, from a prison-how would'st thou rejoice!-[Picks up the paper.] Ah! In Cleveland's hand.--What do I fear?-Why do I tremble? [Reads.]" Templeton, I have seen her—İ have beheld the "child of my injured daughter-her look, voice, the jewel she wore, confirmed it !-Can I meet a merciful judge, not "shewing mercy? My eyes grow dim-my senses fail."This informal paper will with you be sacred, for it is "sealed with the impression of divine forgiveness-it is wit"nessed by the all-seeing eye of Heaven.-All I have is Rosine Villars.'" [Templeton stands in speechless agitation; then looks fearfully round, and thrusts the paper into his bosom. In terror exclaims] Who's there? Enter STEWARD and ATTORNEY, L. Stew. Did you call, Sir? Tem. No-Yes. Att. With your leave. [Takes the will.] Perfectly satisfactory. This you publish as Mr. Cleveland's last will? His grateful feelings overpower him. Be composed, Sir. This you pronounce-[Templeton utters a groan-snatches the will from his hand, and rushes off the stage.] His senses are disordered. Mr. Templeton ?- [They follow, R END OT ACT IV. ACT V. SCENE I.-An Apartment at Sir SIR GUY discovered asleep, in a chair. the adjoining room, L. Guy Stanch's. A harp is heard in Sir G. [Waking.] Eh! what's that? Oh, Nell, claw, clawing at her harp-strings, as if the only road to a lover's heart was through his ears. [Rings a bell.] Stubborn jade! she has refused three husbands; and to none of which she could reasonably object, for she had not even seen them. Enter JERRY, R. Send my daughter here, Jerry. Jer. My young lady has rode out with your ward. [Exit, R. Sir G. With Suckling! a sneakup !—If he had any pluck he'd run away with her. Give me a dasher, a thunderer, a fellow that would brow-beat a vestry meeting, dumbfound a turnpike meeting, and bang a bench of justices with Latin and logic till they don't know a subpoena from a mittimus. Enter ROSINA, L. Ah! what doleful ditty were you twanging ? Ros. A plaintive native melody-'twas written by my father; and while I sing it, memory recals those happy hours when my beloved parents listened to the strain, and fills my heart with so sweet a melancholy that joy itself might envy. Sir G. Poor child! Ros. Oh, call me by that name; 'tis long since my ears were blest with the sound!—But has not my friend Ellen returned? I feel an alarm I hardly can account for. Sir G. Alarm! Ros. She seemed agitated by extremes of gaiety and grief; she laughed, wept, accused you, Sir, of tyranny. Indeed, Sir Guy, a parent's harshness, acting on the free and dangerous principles of the education she has received, may lead to the most imprudent consequences. Enter JERRY, R. Jer. The constable wants your honour. Ros. The magistrate wait ou the petty officer! Pray let my dismissal prevent so flagrant a violation of legal decorum. [Courtseying and exit, L., he bows. [Exit Jerry, R. Sir G. Shew him in. Enter BROADCAST, R. Broad. Lord, Sir Guy, what do you suppose ? Sir G. Broke his parole, perhaps? Broad. Nan Sir G. Broke his parole? Broud. No; Young Squire Templeton and he had a tussel; but I don't believe any thing's broke. They were going to gun it wi' pistols. Sir G. Who is he? Broad. That's it-[Mysteriously.] Oh, Sir Guy, if you did but know what I know Sia G. Indeed! well? - Broad. Then you would know- Broad. Nothing. Sir G. Very likely. [Recollecting himself. Broad. Hush! I'll amaze you. [With consequential insinuation.] He's a foreign nobleman, come to England by sea ;-married a lady ;-had a daughter;-she grew up to There! what do you think of that? be a woman. Enter JERRY, with a letter, R. Jer. Oh, master! the horses are come back without my young lady and 'squire. Sir G. Eh! what? Jer. The boy that brought this letter says they were setting off in a chay and four. Sir G. What eloped? Oh, the ravisher! Oh, the villain! I, who thought him such a quiet, amiable, sweet boy.. Jerry! Mount all the grooms; saddle Somerset for me: my daughter's eloped-away! Jer. Which road? Sir G. The north, you blockhead! all fools go that road; the wise ones come south. Now we shall hear what the scoundrel can say for himself. [Reads.] "Dear dud elect," Broad. Come, that's affectionate and pretty enough. Sir G. Hold your tongue!" You have always wished for ' a dashing son-in-law, and, dam'me, you shall have one.' There's a reprobate-" Your absurdities we pity, your tyranny we pardon."-How very kind! 66 Broad. So it is, indeed; quite forgiving, and without any malice, like. 66 Sir G. "So, open your arms to receive us; your house to "receive the county; and give the enclosed hasty sketch of a wedding-dinner to the cook." Impudent rascal!" Adieu! "the boys are mounted, the whips crack, and hey for the "blacksmith." Broad. [Snapping his fingers.] Smart and funny; I'll be shot if bean't; he he! Sir G. How dare you laugh, Sir? If I can but catch a view of the rascal. |