Six Plays by Lady Florence Henrietta Fisher Darwin Part 22

CLARA. Through which of the gentlemen did it strike, Joan?

JOAN. Through both. Leastways, 'tis Mister Jenner that my feelings do go out most quickly to, mistress. But 'tis Mister Hooper who do court the hardest and who has the greatest riches like.

CLARA. Well, and what do you want me to do or to say now, Joan?

JOAN. See here, mistress, I want you to give me a chance. They'll never stoop to wed me if they knows as I'm but a poor serving maid.

CLARA. Your dressing up as a fine lady won't make you other than what you are, Joan.

JOAN. Once let me get the fish in my net, mistress.

CLARA. Are you proposing to catch the two, Joan?

JOAN. I shall take the one as do offer first, mistress.

CLARA. That'll be Mister Hooper, I should think.

JOAN. I should go riding in my own chaise, mistress, if 'twas him.

CLARA. But, Joan, either of these men would have to know the truth before there could be any marriage.

JOAN. I knows that full well, mistress. But let one of them just offer hisself. By that time my heart and his would be so closely twined together like, 'twould take more nor such a little thing as my station being low to part us.

[CLARA sits very still for a few moments, looking straight before her, lost in thought. JOAN sinks on to a chair by the table as though suddenly tired out, and she begins to cry gently.

CLARA. Listen, Joan. I'm one for the straight paths. I like to walk in open fields and over the bare heath. Only times come when one is driven to take to the ways which are set with bushes and with briars.

JOAN. [Lifting her head and drying her eyes.] O mistress, I feel to be asking summat as is too heavy for you to give.

CLARA. But for a certain thing, I could never have lent myself to this acting game of yours, Joan.

JOAN. No, mistress?

CLARA. Only that, to-day, my heart too has gone from my own keeping.

JOAN. O mistress, you don't mean to say as his lordship have followed us down already.

CLARA. [Scornfully.] His lordship! As if I should be stirred by him!

JOAN. [Humbly.] Who might it be, mistress, if I may ask?

CLARA. 'Tis one who would never look upon me with thoughts of love if I went to him as I am now, Joan.

JOAN. I can't rightly understand you, mam.

CLARA. My case is just the same as yours, Joan. You say that your fine gentlemen would not look upon a serving maid.

JOAN. I'm certain of it, mistress.

CLARA. And the man I--I love will never let his heart go out to mine with the heaviness of all these riches lying between us.

JOAN. I count that gold do pave the way for most of us, mistress.

CLARA. So for this once, I will leave the clear high road, Joan.

And you and I will take a path that is set with thorns. Pray G.o.d they do not wound us past healing at the end of our travel.

JOAN. O mistress, 'twill be a lightsome journey for me.

CLARA. But the moment that you reach happiness, Joan, remember to confess.

JOAN. There won't be nothing to fear then, mistress.

CLARA. Make him love you for yourself, Joan. O we must each tie the heart of our true love so tightly to our own that naught shall ever be able to cut the bonds.

JOAN. Yes, mistress, and I'm sure I'm very much obliged to you.

CLARA. Ah, I am lending myself to all this, because I, too, have something to win or lose.

JOAN. Where did you meet him, mistress?

CLARA. I did not meet him. I stood on the high ground, and he pa.s.sed below. His face was raised to the light, and I saw its look.

I think my love for him has always lain asleep in my heart, Joan.

But when he pa.s.sed beneath me in the meadow, it awoke.

JOAN. O mistress, what sort of an appearance has the gentleman?

CLARA. I don't know how to answer you, Joan.

JOAN. I count as it would take a rare, grand looking man for to put his lordship into the shadow, like.

CLARA. You are right there, Joan. But now we must talk of your affairs. Your fine courtiers will be coming in presently and you must know how to receive them in a good way.

JOAN. That's what do hamper me dreadful, my speech and other things.

How would it be if you was to help me a little bit, like?

CLARA. With all my heart.

JOAN. How should I act so not to be found out, mistress?

CLARA. You must speak little, and low. Do not show haste in your goings and comings. Put great care into your way of eating and drinking.

JOAN. O that will be a fearsome hard task. What else?

CLARA. You must be sisterly with Thomas.

JOAN. I'd clean forgot him. I don't doubt but what he'll ferret out the truth in no time.

CLARA. I don't think so. I was but a little child when I left him.