John Bull Part 4

_Pereg._ Come, do not droop. The cause of your distress, perhaps, is trifling; but, light gales of adversity will make women weep. A woman's tear falls like the dew that zephyrs shake from roses.--Nay, confide in me.

_Mary._ I will, sir; but---- [_Looking round._

_Pereg._ Leave us a little, honest friends.

_Dennis._ A hem!--Come, Mrs. Brulgruddery! let you and I pair off, my lambkin!

_Mrs. Brul._ [_Going._] Ah! she's no better than she should be, I'll warrant her.

_Dennis._ By the powers, she's well enough though, for all that.

[_Exeunt DENNIS and MRS. BRUL. into the House._

_Pereg._ Now, sweet one, your name?

_Mary._ Mary, sir.

_Pereg._ What else?

_Mary._ Don't ask me that, sir: my poor father might be sorry it was mentioned, now.

_Pereg._ Have you quitted your father, then?

_Mary._ I left his house at day-break, this morning, sir.

_Pereg._ What is he?

_Mary._ A tradesman in the neighbouring town, sir.

_Pereg._ Is he aware of your departure?

_Mary._ No, sir,

_Pereg._ And your mother--?

_Mary._ I was very little, when she died, sir.

_Pereg._ Has your father, since her death, treated you with cruelty?

_Mary._ He? Oh, bless him! no! he is the kindest father that ever breathed, sir.

_Pereg._ How must such a father be agonized by the loss of his child!

_Mary._ Pray, sir, don't talk of that!

_Pereg._ Why did you fly from him?

_Mary._ Sir, I----I----but that's my story, sir.

_Pereg._ Relate it, then.

_Mary._ Yes, sir.--You must know, then, sir, that--there was a young gentleman in this neighbourhood, that--O dear, sir, I'm quite ashamed!

_Pereg._ Come, child, I will relieve you from the embarra.s.sment of narration, and sum up your history in one word;--love.

_Mary._ That's the beginning of it, sir; but a great deal happen'd afterwards.

_Pereg._ And who is the hero of your story, my poor girl?

_Mary._ The hero of----? O, I understand--he is much above me in fortune, sir. To be sure, I should have thought of that, before he got such power over my heart, to make me so wretched, now he has deserted me.

_Pereg._ He would have thought of that, had his own heart been generous.

_Mary._ He is reckon'd very generous, sir; he can afford to be so.

When the old gentleman dies, he will have all the great family estate. I am going to the house, now, sir.

_Pereg._ For what purpose?

_Mary._ To try if I can see him for the last time, sir: to tell him I shall always pray for his happiness, when I am far away from a place which he has made it misery for me to abide in;--and to beg him to give me a little supply of money, now I am pennyless, and from home, to help me to London; where I may get into service, and n.o.body will know me.

_Pereg._ And what are his reasons, child, for thus deserting you?

_Mary._ He sent me his reasons, by letter, yesterday, sir. He is to be married next week, to a lady of high fortune. His father, he says, insists upon it. I know I am born below him; but after the oaths we plighted, Heaven knows, the news was a sad, sad shock to me! I did not close my eyes last night; my poor brain was burning; and, as soon as day broke, I left the house of my dear father, whom I should tremble to look at, when he discover'd my story;--which I could not long conceal from him.

_Pereg._ Poor, lovely, heart-bruised wanderer! O wealthy despoilers of humble innocence! splendid murderers of virtue; who make your vice your boast, and fancy female ruin a feather in your caps of vanity--single out a victim you have abandoned, and, in your hours of death, contemplate her!--view her, care-worn, friendless, pennyless;--hear her tale of sorrows, fraught with her remorse,--her want,--a hard world's scoffs, her parents' anguish;--then, if ye dare, look inward upon your own bosoms; and if they be not conscience proof what must be your compunctions!--Who is his father, child?

_Mary._ Sir Simon Rochdale, sir, of the Manor-house, hard by.

_Pereg._ [_Surprised._] Indeed!

_Mary._ Perhaps you know him, sir?

_Pereg._ I have heard of him;--and, on your account, shall visit him.

_Mary._ Oh, pray, sir, take care what you do! if you should bring his son into trouble, by mentioning me, I should never, never forgive myself.

_Pereg._ Trust to my caution.--Promise only to remain at this house, till I return from a business which calls me, immediately, two miles hence; I will hurry back to pursue measures for your welfare, with more hope of success, than your own weak means, poor simplicity, are likely to effect. What say you?

_Mary._ I hardly know what to say, sir--you seem good,--and I am little able to help myself.

_Pereg._ You consent, then?

_Mary._ Yes, sir.

_Pereg._ [_Calling._] Landlord!

_Enter DENNIS, from the Door of the House--MRS.

BRULGRUDDERY following._

_Dennis._ Did you call, sir?--Arrah, now, Mrs. Brulgruddery, you are peeping after the young woman yourself.