Next Door Neighbours Part 15

MANLY.

Her death!

BLACKMAN.

Yes, her death. Here is a certificate from the curate of the parish in which she was buried.

MANLY.

Buried too!

BLACKMAN.

Yes, sir, buried. Here is also an affidavit from the s.e.xton of the said village, signed by the overseer and churchwardens, testifying the same.--You see, (_shewing him the paper, and reading at the fame time_) "Died Anno Domini, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine, the seventeenth of June----"

[_Mr._ MANLY _takes the paper, and while he is reading_, SIR GEORGE _says apart_----

SIR GEORGE.

How near to the brink of infamy has my imprudence led me! And s'death, my confusion takes from me the power to explain, and expose the scoundrel.

Mr. Manly, I will leave you for the present; but you shall hear from me shortly,--when this matter shall be accounted for clearly--perfectly to your satisfaction, you may depend upon it.--(_Going._)

MANLY.

Stay, Sir George, and----

BLACKMAN.

Aye, Sir George, stay and see Mr. Manly's objections wholly removed.

He seems to doubt the evidence of paper; I must, therefore, beg leave to produce a living witness--the gentleman whom I appointed to meet me here.

MANLY.

And who is he?

BLACKMAN.

The apothecary, who attended Sir George's sister in her dying illness.

[SIR GEORGE _starts_.

MANLY.

Desire him to walk in by all means. What is the matter, Sir George, you look discomposed?

BLACKMAN.

Sir George is something nervous, Mr. Manly; and you know the very name of a medical gentleman, will affect the nerves of some people.

[BLACKMAN _goes to the door, and leads on_ BLUNTLY, _dressed in mourning_.

SIR GEORGE. [_Aside._ Bluntly!--But I will see the end of this.

MANLY.

(_Bowing to him_). You are an apothecary, I think, sir?

[BLUNTLY _looks at_ BLACKMAN]

BLACKMAN.

Yes, sir.

BLUNTLY.

(_After seeming inclined to say_, No). Yes, sir.

MANLY.

Pray sir, what disorder took the young lady, on whose account you have been brought hither, out of the world?

[BLUNTLY _looks at_ BLACKMAN.]

BLACKMAN.

Oh! the old disorder, I suppose.

BLUNTLY.

The old disorder.

MANLY.

And pray what may that be, sir? (BLACKMAN _offers to reply_). Mr.

Blackman, Please to let this gentleman speak for himself.--What is it you mean, pray sir, by the old disorder?

BLUNTLY.

I--I--mean--Love, sir.

MANLY.

You will not pretend to say, that love, was the cause of her death?

BLUNTLY. (_Confused and hesitating_).

That--and a few fits of the gout.

MANLY.

I fear, sir, you are not in perfect health yourself--you tremble and look very pale.

BLACKMAN.

That is because the subject affects him.

MANLY.

Do you then never mention the young lady without being affected?

BLUNTLY.

Never, sir--for had you seen her as I did--um--Had you seen her.----She was in very great danger from the first; but after I attended her, she was in greater danger still.--I advised a physician to be called in; on which she grew worse.--We had next a consultation of physicians; and then it was all over with her.

SIR GEORGE.

(_Rising from his chair_). Blackman, this is too much--all my calamities are inferior to this--Desist, therefore, or----

BLACKMAN.

(_To_ BLUNTLY.) Desist--He cannot bear to hear the pathetic description. Consider the lady was his sister--and though he had not the pleasure of knowing her--yet, poor thing--(_affecting to weep_)--poor young woman! he cannot help lamenting her loss.

BLUNTLY.

No more can I--for though she was not my relation--yet she was my Patient. (_pretending to weep also_).