Fontainbleau Part 6

_Enter NANNETTE._

Oh, Nannette, is the gentleman come?

_Nan._ No, ma'am, but I desired the boy to show him to this apartment.

_Henry._ [_Without._] What! is the lady this way?

_Nan._ The devil take the blockhead! may I die, if it isn't the young English officer, he's sending up here.

_Rosa._ Shut the door, I'll be seen by n.o.body--Undone! my brother Henry!--

_Enter HENRY._

_Henry._ Is it possible? can it be!--My dear, will you step down a moment? [_Exit NANNETTE._] My sister Rosa!

_Rosa._ What shall I do?

_Henry._ Escaped from the convent, I suppose?--Tell me, Rosa, what--lost to every sense of virtue! to fly from the only place that could afford an asylum for your shame?

_Rosa._ My dear brother! though appearances are against me, yet, when you are acquainted with certain circ.u.mstances, which prudence forbids me, at present, to account for----

_Henry._ Talk of prudence, and your fame blemished--your character departed with its destroyer.--But, of your Lord Winlove's memory, let me be tender, as his life has answered for his share in your offence.

_Rosa._ [_Aside._] He does not know yet of my lord's being alive--I dread his return--their meeting again must, indeed, be fatal.

_Henry._ Tell me, Rosa, why would you quit the convent?

_Rosa._ [_Aside._] I must get Henry out of the house before my Lord Winlove comes back! how shall I?--Come, take me, I'll go with you there this instant--do forgive me; come, dear brother!

_Henry._ Yes, yes; I'll lodge you once more:--yet how perplexing! if I quit Fontainbleau at this juncture, I may lose my wished-for interview, with the unknown charmer that brought me hither.

_Rosa._ [_Aside._] Ruin! I think I hear--if it should be Lord Winlove!--Come, Henry, I have but little preparation, and will immediately attend you.

_Henry._ Be a.s.sured I won't part with you now, untill I again deliver you to the Lady Abbess, with a strict charge, that she'll strengthen your spiritual chains. [_Aside._] And yet the sympathy of my own heart, inclines me to excuse the weakness of my sister's.

_DUETT.--HENRY and ROSA._

_Brooks, to your sources, ah, quickly return!

Tear drop on tear, and give life to the urn; Truth and virtue pa.s.s away, Ere I for another my true love betray._

[Exeunt.

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE I.

_The Course.--A Shouting within._

_Enter TALLYHO and JOCKEY._

_Tall._ Huzza! Ecod, d.i.c.k, my boy, you did the thing nicely!

_Jockey._ Didn't I, your honour? I said I'd win for you--Huzza!

_Tall._ Huzza! we've banged the monsieurs. Hey for Yorkshire! d'ye hear--See Whirligig well rubbed down, and give her a horn of egg, milk, oil, and saffron; and while you lead her down the course in triumph, let the French horns play, _Britons strike home_. [Sings.] _Merry be the first of August._--Let's see, besides the fifteen thousand from this French Colonel Epaulette,--ay, I shall win twenty thousand by the day; and then my slang match to-morrow--Eh, d.i.c.k?

_Jockey._ Ay, sir; Whirligig and old England against the Globe--Huzza!

[_Exit._

_Enter ENGLISH WAITER._

_Eng. Wait._ Sir, my mistress would be glad to know how many she must provide dinner for.

_Tall._ Eh! Dinner!--true: Tell old Moll Casey to knock her whole house into one room, and to roast, boil, bake, and frica.s.see, as if she hadn't an hour to live--we're a roaring, screeching party----

_Enter LACKLAND._

_Lack._ Yes, tell your mistress we're a numerous party--I've left my name at the bar.

[_Calling out._

[_Exit WAITER._

_Tall._ Yes, I dare say they have your name in the bar--I see, by his grin, he wants to come Captain Borrowman, but 'twon't do.

[_Aside._

_Lack._ Ah, Tallyho, my dear fellow, I give you joy--Upon my honour I never saw finer running in the whole course of----

_Tall._ I won't lend you sixpence.

_Lack._ Sir!

_Tall._ It's a fine day.

_Lack._ Why, sir, as to the--ha! ha! ha! Upon my soul, you are the most----