Next Door Neighbours Part 3

And although it is a prison, you could not be happy under such a restriction.

HENRY.

Happy!--When was I happy last?

ELEANOR.

Yesterday, when your father thanked you for your kindness to him. Did we not all three weep with affection for each other? and was not that happiness?

HENRY.

It was--nor will I give up such satisfaction, for any enticement that can offer.----Be contented, Eleanor,--for your sake and my father's, I will be honest.--Nay, more,--I will be scrupulously proud--and that line of conduct which my own honour could not force me to follow, my love to _you_ and _him_, shall compel me to.--When, through necessity, I am tempted to plunder, your blushes and my father's anguish shall hold my hand.--And when I am urged through impatience, to take away my own life, your lingering death and his, shall check the horrid suggestion, and I will live for you.

ELEANOR.

Then do not ever trust yourself away, at least from one of us.

HENRY.

Dear sister! do you imagine that your power is less when separated from me? Do you suppose I think less frequently on my father and his dismal prison, because we are not always together? Oh! no! he comes even more forcibly to my thoughts in his absence--and then, more bitterly do I feel his misery, than while the patient old man, before my eyes, talks to me of his consolations; his internal comforts from a conscience pure, a mind without malice, and a heart, where every virtue occupy a place.--Therefore, do not fear that I shall forget either him or you, though I might possibly forget myself. [_Exit._

ELEANOR.

If before him I am cheerful, yet to myself I must complain. [_Weeps_]

And that sound of festivity at the house adjoining is insupportable!

especially when I reflect that a very small portion of what will be wasted there only this one night, would be sufficient to give my dear father liberty.

[_A rapping at the door of her chamber, on the opposite entrance._]

ELEANOR.

Who's there?

MR. BLACKMAN.

Open the door. [_Without._

ELEANOR.

The voice of our landlord. [_Goes to the door._ Is it you, Mr. Blackman?

BLACKMAN.

Yes, open the door. [_Rapping louder._

[_She opens it:_ BLACKMAN _enters, followed by_ BLUNTLY.]

BLACKMAN.

What a time have you made me wait!--And in the name of wonder, why do you lock your door? Have you any thing to lose? Have not you already sold all the furniture you brought hither? And are you afraid of being stolen yourself?

[ELEANOR _retires to the back of the Stage_.

BLUNTLY.

Is this the chamber?

BLACKMAN.

Yes, Sir, yes, Mr. Bluntly, this is it.

[BLACKMAN _a.s.sumes a very different tone of voice in speaking to_ BLUNTLY _and_ ELEANOR; _to the one he is all submissive humility, to the other all harshness._]

BLUNTLY.

This! [_Contemptuously._

BLACKMAN.

Why yes, sir,--this is the only place I have left in my own house, since your master has been pleased to occupy that next door, while his own magnificent one has been repairing.--Lock yourself up, indeed!

(_Looking at_ ELEANOR.)--You have been continually asking me for more rooms, Mr. Bluntly, and have not I made near half a dozen doors already from one house to the other, on purpose to accommodate your good family.--Upon my honour, I have not now a single chamber but what I have let to these lodgers, and what I have absolute occasion for myself.

BLUNTLY.

And if you do put yourself to a little inconvenience, Mr. Blackman, surely my master--

BLACKMAN.

Your master, Mr. Bluntly, is a very good man--a very generous man--and I hope at least he has found me a very lucky one; for good luck is all the recommendation which I, in my humble station, aspire to--and since I have been Sir George's attorney, I have gained him no less than two law-suits.

BLUNTLY.

I know it. I know also that you have lost him four.

BLACKMAN.

We'll drop the subject.--And in regard to this room, sir, it does not suit, you say?

BLUNTLY.

No, for I feel the cold wind blow through every crevice.

BLACKMAN.

But suppose I was to have it put a little into repair? That window, for instance, shall have a pane or two of gla.s.s put in; the cracks of the door shall be stopt up; and then every thing will have a very different appearance.

BLUNTLY.

And why has not this been done before?

BLACKMAN.

Would you have me be laying out my money, while I only let the place at a paltry price, to people who I am obliged to threaten to turn into the streets every quarter, before I can get my rent from them?

BLUNTLY.

Is that the situation of your lodgers at present?

BLACKMAN.

Yes.--But they made a better appearance when they first came, or I had not taken such persons to live thus near to your master.

BLUNTLY.

That girl (_looking at_ ELEANOR) seems very pretty--and I dare say my master would not care if he was nearer to her.

BLACKMAN.

Pshaw, pshaw--she is a poor creature--she is in great distress. She is misery itself.

BLUNTLY.

I feel quite charmed with misery.--Who belongs to her?

BLACKMAN.

A young man who says he is her brother--very likely he is not--but that I should not enquire about, if they could pay my rent. If people will pay me, I don't care what they are. (_Addressing himself to_ ELEANOR) I desire you will tell your brother when he comes in, that I have occasion for the money which will be due to me to-morrow--and if I don't receive it before to-morrow night, he must seek some other habitation.