Next Door Neighbours Part 6

And I _shall_ give it up, Bluntly, before my marriage takes place--for, short as that time may be, I expect this pa.s.sion will be over and forgotten, long before the interval has pa.s.sed away.--But that brother you were mentioning----

BLUNTLY.

I have some reason to think, that with all his poverty, he has a notion of honour.

SIR GEORGE. [_Laughing._ Oh! I have often tried the effect of a purse of gold with people of honour.--Have you desired them to be sent for as I ordered.

BLUNTLY.

I have, Sir.

SIR GEORGE.

See if they are come. [_Exit_ BLUNTLY.] Ah! my dear Lady Caroline, it is you, and only you, whom I love with a sincere pa.s.sion! but in waiting this long expected event of our marriage, permit me to indulge some less exalted wishes.

_Enter_ BLUNTLY.

SIR GEORGE.

Are they come?

BLUNTLY.

The young man is in the anti-chamber, sir, but his sister is not with him. (_Speaking to_ HENRY _who is without_) Please to walk this way--my master desires to see you.

SIR GEORGE.

No, no, no--I do not desire to see him, if his sister is not there.--Zounds you scoundrel what did you call him in for?

_Enter_ HENRY, _and bows_.

[SIR GEORGE _looks at him with a careless familiarity_--BLUNTLY _leaves the room_.]

SIR GEORGE.

Young man, I am told you are very poor--you may have heard that I am very rich--and I suppose you are acquainted with the extensive meaning of the word--generosity.

HENRY. [_After an hesitation._]

Perhaps not, sir.

SIR GEORGE.

The meaning of it, as I comprehend, is, for the rich to give to the poor.--Have you any thing to ask of me in which I can serve you?

HENRY.

Your proposal is so general, I am at a loss what to answer--but you are no doubt acquainted with the extensive meaning of the word, _pride_,--and that will apologize for the seeming indifference with which I receive your offer.

SIR GEORGE.

Your pride seems extensive indeed.--I heard your father was in prison, and I pitied him.

HENRY.

Did you, Sir?--Did you pity my father:--I beg your pardon--if I have said any thing to offend you pray forgive it--nor let my rudeness turn your companion away from him, to any other object.

SIR GEORGE.

Would a small sum release him from confinement? Would about a hundred pounds----

HENRY.

I have no doubt but it would.

SIR GEORGE.

Then take that note.----Be not surprised--I mean to dispose of a thousand guineas this way, instead of fitting up a theatre in my own house.--That (_giving him the note_) is a mere trifle; my box at the opera, or my dinner; I mean to dine alone to morrow, instead of inviting company.

HENRY.

Sir George, I spoke so rudely to you at first, that I know no other way to shew my humility, than to accept your present without reluctance.--I do therefore, as the gift of benevolence, not as the insult of better fortune.

SIR GEORGE.

You have a brother, have not you?

HENRY.

No, Sir--and only one sister.

SIR GEORGE.

A sister is it? well, let me see your father and your brother--your sister I mean--did not you say?--you said a sister, did not you?

HENRY.

Yes, Sir.

SIR GEORGE.

Well, let me see your father and her; they will rejoice at their good fortune I imagine, and I wish to be a witness of their joy.

HENRY.

I will this moment go to our lawyer, extricate my father, and we will all return and make you the spectator of the happiness you have bestowed.

Forgive my eagerness to disclose your bounty, sir, if, before I have said half I feel, I fly to reveal it to my father; to whom I can more powerfully express my sensations--than in your presence. [_Exit._

SIR GEORGE.

That bait has taken--and now, if the sister will only be as grateful.

_Enter_ BLUNTLY.

BLUNTLY.

Dear sir, what can you have said to the young man? I never saw a person so much affected!

SIR GEORGE.

In what manner?

BLUNTLY.

The tears ran down his cheeks as he pa.s.sed along, and he held something in his hand which he pressed to his lips, and then to his heart, as if it was a treasure.

SIR GEORGE.

It is a treasure, Bluntly--a hundred Guineas.

BLUNTLY.

But for which, I believe, you expect a greater treasure in return.

SIR GEORGE.

Dost think so Bluntly?--dost think the girl is worth a hundred pounds?