Next Door Neighbours Part 16

SIR GEORGE.

I can bear no more.--Mr. Manly, you are imposed upon. But think not, however appearances may be against me, that I came here as the tool of so infamous a deceit.--Thoughtlessness, Mr. Manly, has embarra.s.sed my circ.u.mstances; and thoughtlessness alone, has made me employ a villain to retrieve them.

BLACKMAN.

Mighty fine!

SIR GEORGE.

I have no authority, sir, to affirm, that my sister is not alive; and I am confident the account you have just now heard, of her death, is but an artifice. My indiscretions have reduced me nearly to beggary; but I will perish in confinement--cheerfully perish--rather than owe my affluence to one dishonourable action.

BLACKMAN.

Grief has turned his brain.

MANLY.

Sir George, I honour your feelings; and as for the feelings of these gentlemen, I am extremely happy, that it is in my power to dry up their tears, and calm all their sorrows.

SIR GEORGE.

Sir!

BLACKMAN.

How? In what way?

MANLY.

(_Going to the door where_ WILLFORD _and his niece are_.) Come forth, young lady, to the arms of a brother, and relieve the anguish of these mourners, who are lamenting your decease. (ELEANOR _and_ WILLFORD _enter_)--Yes, Sir George, here is that sister, whom those gentlemen a.s.sure us, is dead;--and this is the brother of your father.--These are proofs, as convincing, I hope, as any Mr. Blackman can produce.

SIR GEORGE.

She, my sister! Her pretended father my uncle too! (_Aside_) Blackman, you would have plunged me into an anguish I never knew before; you would have plunged me into shame.

BLUNTLY.

And so you _have_ me.

BLACKMAN.

Pshaw.--Mr. Manly, notwithstanding you are these people's voucher, this appears but a scheme.--These persons are but adventurers, and may possibly have about them forgeries, such as an honest man, like myself, would shudder at.

MANLY. [_Going to the door._ Who's there? [_Enter Servant._] Shew that--that Mr. Blackman, out of my house instantly; and take care you never admit him again.

BLACKMAN.

Sir George, will you suffer this?

SIR GEORGE.

Aye, and a great deal more.

BLUNTLY.

Look'ee Blackman.--If you don't fall down upon your knees, and beg my pardon at the street door, for the trick you have put upon me, in a.s.suring me my master's sister was really dead, and that I could do her no injury, by doing him a service--if you don't beg my pardon for this, I'll give you such an a.s.sault and battery as you never had to do with in your life.

BLACKMAN.

Beat me--do, beat me--I'll thank you for beating me--I'd be beat every hour of the day, to recover damages. [_Exit with_ BLUNTLY.

SIR GEORGE.

My sister--with the sincerest joy I call you by that name--and while I thus embrace you, offer you a heart, that beats with all the pure and tender affection, which our kindred to each other claims.--In you (_embracing his uncle_) I behold my father; and experience an awful fear, mingled with my regard.

WILLFORD.

Continue still that regard, and even that fear--these filial sentiments may prove important; and they shall ever be repaid with my paternal watchings, friends.h.i.+p, and love.

ELEANOR.

My brother----

SIR GEORGE.

I have been unworthy of you--I will be so no more, but imitate your excellence. Yet, when I reflect----

[LADY CAROLINE _comes softly from the inner apartment, and attends to the discourse_.

ELEANOR.

My brother, do not imagine----

SIR GEORGE.

Leave me, leave me to all the agonies of my misconduct.--Where is my fortune? Now _all_ irrecoverably gone--My last, my only resource is now to be paid to another--I have lost every thing.

LADY CAROLINE. [_Coming forward._ No, Sir George, _nothing_--since I possess all that was yours.

SIR GEORGE.

How!

LADY CAROLINE.

Behold a friend in your necessities--a mistress whom your misfortunes cannot drive away--but who, experiencing much of your unkindness, still loves you; and knowing your every folly, will still submit to honour, and obey you.

I received your lavish presents, but to h.o.a.rd them for you--made myself mistress of your fortune, but to return it to you--and with it, all my own.

SIR GEORGE.

Can this be real? Can I be raised in one moment, from the depths of misery to unbounded happiness?

_Enter_ SERVANT.

SERVANT.

A young man, who says he is Mr. Willford's son, is called to enquire for him.

MANLY.

Shew him in.

[SIR GEORGE _and_ LADY CAROLINE _retire to the back part of the stage_.

_Enter_ HENRY.

WILLFORD.

Come, Henry, and take leave of your sister for ever.

HENRY.

How so, sir?--What do you mean? To be parted from her, would be the utmost rigour of fortune.

MANLY.

The affection with which you speak, young gentleman, seems to convey something beyond mere brotherly love.