The Stranger Part 16

_Bar._ Didn't I hear Mrs. Haller's name here?

_Sol._ [_Confused._] Why--yes--we--we--

_Bar._ Charlotte, tell my sister I wish to see her as soon as the tea-table is removed.

_Char._ [_Aside to SOLOMON._] Either she or I go, that I'm determined.

[_Exit._

_Bar._ May I ask what it was you were saying?

_Sol._ Why, please your Honourable Lordship, we were talking here and there--this and that--

_Bar._ I almost begin to suspect some secret.

_Sol._ Secret! Heaven forbid! Mercy on us! No! I should have had letters on the subject if there had been a secret.

_Bar._ Well then, since it was no secret, I presume I may know your conversation.

_Sol._ You do us great honour, my lord. Why, then, at first, we were making a few common-place observations. Miss Charlotte remarked that we had all our faults. I said, "Yes." Soon after I remarked that the best persons in the world were not without their weaknesses. She said, "Yes."

_Bar._ If you referred to Mrs. Haller's faults and weaknesses, I am desirous to hear more.

_Sol._ Sure enough, sir, Mrs. Haller is an excellent woman; but she's not an angel for all that. I am an old faithful servant to his Excellency the Count, and therefore it is my duty to speak, when any thing is done disadvantageous to his interest.

_Bar._ Well!

_Sol._ For instance, now; his Excellency may think he has at least some score of dozens of the old six-and-twenty hock. Mercy on us! there are not ten dozen bottles left; and not a drop has gone down my throat, I'll swear.

_Bar._ [_Smiling._] Mrs. Haller has not drank it, I suppose?

_Sol._ Not she herself, for she never drinks wine. But if any body be ill in the village, any poor woman lying-in, away goes a bottle of the six-and-twenty! Innumerable are the times that I've reproved her; but she always answers me snappishly, that she will be responsible for it.

_Bar._ So will I, Mr. Solomon.

_Sol._ Oh! with all my heart, your Honourable Lordship. It makes no difference to me. I had the care of the cellar twenty years, and can safely take my oath, that I never gave the poor a single drop in the whole course of my trust.

_Bar._ How extraordinary is this woman!

_Sol._ Extraordinary! One can make nothing of her. To-day, the vicar's wife is not good enough for her. To-morrow, you may see her sitting with all the women of the village. To be sure she and I agree pretty well; for, between me and your Honourable Lordship, she has cast an eye upon my son Peter.

_Bar._ Has she?

_Sol._ Yes--Peter's no fool, I a.s.sure you. The schoolmaster is teaching him to write. Would your Honourable Lordship please to see a specimen; I'll go for his copy-book. He makes his pothooks capitally.

_Bar._ Another time, another time. Good bye for the present, Mr.

Solomon. [_SOLOMON bows, without attempting to go._] Good day, Mr.

Solomon.

_Sol._ [_Not understanding the hint._] Your Honourable Lordship's most obedient servant.

_Bar._ Mr. Solomon I wish to be alone.

_Sol._ As your lordship commands. If the time should seem long in my absence, and your lordship wishes to hear the newest news from the seat of war, you need only send for old Solomon. I have letters from Leghorn, Cape Horn, and every known part of the habitable globe. [_Exit._

_Bar._ Tedious old fool! Yet hold. Did he not speak in praise of Mrs.

Haller? Pardoned be his rage for news and politics.

_Enter COUNTESS._

Well, sister, have you spoken to her?

_Countess._ I have: and if you do not steer for another haven, you will be doomed to drive upon the ocean for ever.

_Bar._ Is she married?

_Countess._ I don't know.

_Bar._ Is she of a good family?

_Countess._ I can't tell.

_Bar._ Does she dislike me?

_Countess._ Excuse my making a reply.

_Bar._ I thank you for your sisterly affection, and the explicitness of your communications. Luckily, I placed little reliance on either; and have found a friend, who will save your ladyship all further trouble.

_Countess._ A friend!

_Bar._ Yes. The Stranger who saved your son's life this morning proves to be my intimate friend.

_Countess._ What's his name?

_Bar._ I don't know.

_Countess._ Is he of a good family?

_Bar._ I can't tell.

_Countess._ Will he come hither?

_Bar._ Excuse my making a reply.

_Countess._ Well, the retort is fair--but insufferable.

_Bar._ You can't object to the _Da Capo_ of your own composition,