The Hunchback Part 8

_Julia_. That Monday week, I trust, will never come, That brags to make a sober wife of me!

_Helen_. How changed you are, my Julia!

_Julia_. Change makes change.

_Helen_. Why wedd'st thou, then?

_Julia_. Because I promised him!

_Helen_. Thou lovest him?

_Julia_. Do I?

_Helen_. He's a man to love!

A right well-favoured man!

_Julia_. Your point's well favoured.

Where did you purchase it? In Gracechurch Street?

_Helen_. Pshaw! never mind my point, but talk of him.

_Julia_. I'd rather talk with thee about the lace.

Where bought you it? In Gracechurch Street, Cheapside, Whitechapel, Little Britain? Can't you say Where 'twas you bought the lace?

_Helen_. In Cheapside, then.

And now, then, to Sir Thomas! He is just The height I like a man.

_Julia_. Thy feather's just The height I like a feather! Mine's too short!

What shall I give thee in exchange for it?

_Helen_. What shall I give thee for a minute's talk About Sir Thomas?

_Julia_. Why, thy feather.

_Helen_. Take it!

_Clif_. [Aside to MODUS.] What, likes she not to speak of me?

_Helen_. And now Let's talk about Sir Thomas--much I'm sure He loves you.

_Julia_. Much I'm sure, he has a right!

Those know I who would give their eyes to be Sir Thomas, for my sake!

_Helen_. Such too, know I.

But 'mong them none that can compare with him, Not one so graceful.

_Julia_. What a graceful set Your feather has!

_Helen_. Nay, give it back to me, Unless you pay me for't.

_Julia_. What was't to get?

_Helen_. A minute's talk with thee about Sir Thomas.

_Julia_. Talk of his t.i.tle, and his fortune then.

_Clif_. [Aside.] Indeed! I would not listen, yet I must!

_Julia_. An ample fortune, Helen--I shall be A happy wife! What routs, what b.a.l.l.s, what masques, What gala-days!

_Clif_. [Aside.] For these she marries me!

She'll talk of these!

_Julia_. Think not, when I am wed, I'll keep the house as owlet does her tower, Alone,--when every other bird's on wing.

I'll use my palfrey, Helen; and my coach; My barge, too, for excursion on the Thames: What drives to Barnet, Hackney, Islington!

What rides to Epping, Hounslow, and Blackheath!

What sails to Greenwich, Woolwich, Fulham, Kew!

I'll set a pattern to your lady wives!

_Clif_. [Aside.] Ay, lady? Trust me, not at my expense.

_Julia_. And what a wardrobe! I'll have change of suits For every day in the year! and sets for days!

My morning dress, my noon dress, dinner dress, And evening dress! Then will I show you lace A foot deep, can I purchase; if not, I'll specially bespeak it. Diamonds too!

Not buckles, rings, and earrings only--but Whole necklaces and stomachers of gems!

I'll s.h.i.+ne! be sure I will.

_Clif_. [Aside.] Then s.h.i.+ne away; Who covets thee may wear thee;--I'm not he!

_Julia_. And then my t.i.tle! Soon as I put on The ring, I'm Lady Clifford. So I take Precedence of plain mistress, were she e'en The richest heiress in the land! At town Or country ball, you'll see me take the lead, While wives that carry on their backs the wealth To dower a princess, shall give place to me;-- Will I not profit, think you, by my right?

Be sure I will! marriage shall prove to me A never-ending pageant. Every day Shall show how I am spoused! I will be known For Lady Clifford all the city through, And fifty miles the country round about.

Wife of Sir Thomas Clifford, baronet-- Not perishable knight--who, when he makes A lady of me, doubtless must expect To see me play the part of one.

_Clif_. [Coming forward.] Most true; But not the part which you design to play.

_Julia_. A listener, sir!

_Clif_. By chance, and not intent, Your speech was forced upon mine ear, that ne'er More thankless duty to my heart discharged!

Would for that heart it ne'er had known the sense Which tells it 'tis a bankrupt, there, where most It coveted to be rich, and thought it was so!

O Julia, is it you? Could I have set A coronet upon that stately brow, Where partial nature hath already bound A brighter circlet--radiant beauty's own-- I had been proud to see thee proud of it, So for the donor thou hadst ta'en the gift, Not for the gift ta'en him. Could I have poured The wealth of richest Croesus in thy lap, I had been blest to see thee scatter it, So I was still thy riches paramount!

_Julia_. Know you me, sir!

_Clif_. I do. On Monday week We were to wed--and are--so you're content; The day that weds, wives you to be widowed. Take The privilege of my wife; be Lady Clifford!

Outs.h.i.+ne the t.i.tle in the wearing on't!

My coffers, lands, all are at thy command; Wear all! but, for myself, she wears not me, Although the coveted of every eye, Who would not wear me for myself alone.

_Julia_. And do you carry it so proudly, sir?

_Clif_. Proudly, but still more sorrowfully, lady!