The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb Volume IV Part 60

CUTLET Lord have mercy upon us! not so bad as that comes to, I hope?

PENDULOUS When she joins in the judgment of an illiberal world against me--

CUTLET You said HANGED, Sir--that is, I mean, perhaps I mistook you. How ghastly he looks!

PENDULOUS Fear me not, my friend. I am no ghost--though I heartily wish I were one.

CUTLET Why, then, ten to one you were--

PENDULOUS _Cut down._ The odious word shall out, though it choak me.

CUTLET Your case must have some things in it very curious. I daresay you kept a journal of your sensations.

PENDULOUS Sensations!

CUTLET Aye, while you were being--you know what I mean. They say persons in your situation have lights dancing before their eyes--blueish. But then the worst of all is coming to one's self again.

PENDULOUS Plagues, furies, tormentors! I shall go mad! [_Exit._]

CUTLET There, he says he shall go mad. Well, my head has not been very right of late. It goes with a whirl and a buzz somehow. I believe I must not think so deeply. Common people that don't reason know nothing of these aberrations.

Great wits go mad, and small ones only dull; Distracting cares vex not the empty skull: They seize on heads that think, and hearts that feel, As flies attack the--better sort of veal.

[_Exit._]

ACT II

SCENE.--At Flint's.

FLINT. WILLIAM.

FLINT I have overwalked myself, and am quite exhausted. Tell Marian to come and play to me.

WILLIAM I shall, Sir. [_Exit._]

FLINT I have been troubled with an evil spirit of late; I think an evil spirit. It goes and comes, as my daughter is with or from me. It cannot stand before her gentle look, when, to please her father, she takes down her music-book. _Enter William._

WILLIAM Miss Marian went out soon after you, and is not returned.

FLINT That is a pity--That is a pity. Where can the foolish girl be gadding?

WILLIAM The shopmen say she went out with Mr. Davenport.

FLINT Davenport? Impossible.

WILLIAM They say they are sure it was he, by the same token that they saw her slip into his hand, when she was past the door, the casket which you gave her.

FLINT Gave her, William! I only intrusted it to her. She has robbed me. Marian is a thief. You must go to the Justice, William, and get out a warrant against her immediately. Do you help them in the description. Put in "Marian Flint," in plain words--no remonstrances, William--"daughter of Reuben Flint,"--no remonstrances, but do it--

WILLIAM Nay, sir--

FLINT I am rock, absolute rock, to all that you can say--A piece of solid rock.--What is it that makes my legs to fail, and my whole frame to totter thus? It has been my over walking. I am very faint. Support me in, William. [_Exeunt_]

SCENE.--_The Apartment of Miss Flyn._

MISS FLYN. BETTY.

MISS FLYN 'Tis past eleven. Every minute I expect Mr. Pendulous here. What a meeting do I antic.i.p.ate!

BETTY Antic.i.p.ate, truly! what other than a joyful meeting can it be between two agreed lovers who have been parted these four months?

MISS FLYN But in that cruel s.p.a.ce what accidents have happened!--(_aside_)--As yet I perceive she is ignorant of this unfortunate affair.

BETTY Lord, madam, what accidents? He has not had a fall or a tumble, has he?

He is not coming upon crutches?

MISS FLYN Not exactly a fall--(_aside_)--I wish I had courage to admit her to my confidence.

BETTY If his neck is whole, his heart is so too, I warrant it.

MISS FLYN His neck!--(_aside_)--She certainly mistrusts something. He writes me word that this must be his last interview.

BETTY Then I guess the whole business. The wretch is unfaithful. Some creature or other has got him into a noose.

MISS FLYN A noose!

BETTY And I shall never more see him hang----

MISS FLYN Hang, did you say, Betty?

BETTY About that dear, fond neck, I was going to add, madam, but you interrupted me.

MISS FLYN I can no longer labour with a secret which oppresses me thus. Can you be trusty?

BETTY Who, I, madam?--(_aside_)--Lord, I am so glad. Now I shall know all.

MISS FLYN This letter discloses the reason of his unaccountable long absence from me. Peruse it, and say if we have not reason to be unhappy.