Fontainbleau Part 22

_Enter CELIA, running._

_Celia._ Oh, my dear Captain! but I didn't know you had company--a thousand pardons--[_Courtesies round._] but, upon my word, I don't know how to apologize for this strange intrusion of mine--Captain, don't be vain, if I make this horrible news of your danger, an excuse for my coming hither.

_Henry._ A thousand thanks for this kind solicitude!--My lord--Sister--give me leave to introduce a lady, who, I hope, will soon honour our family by the dearest tie.

_Miss Dolly B._ [_Without._] Run, husband, or they'll catch us.

_Enter LACKLAND and MISS DOLLY BULL._

_Lack._ Let's rally, and face the enemy.

_Enter SIR JOHN and LADY BULL._

_Sir J. B._ So, you're a pretty jade! but I'll----

[_Advancing._

_Lack._ No abuse.

[_Stops him._

_Sir J. B._ What! not my own daughter?

_Lack._ n.o.body must abuse my wife.

_Sir J. B._ Wife! I shall go mad!--my daughter married to a fellow that I saw this morning in white shoes, and a black s.h.i.+rt?

_Lady B._ Ay, you would have English.

_Sir J. B._ I hope he's a rogue.

[_LACKLAND bows._

_Henry._ Your son-in-law!

_Sir J. B._ If he was myself--I hope he's a rogue--

_Lady B._ Tell me Dolly, how dare you take up with that person?

_Miss Dolly B._ Why, la, mamma! when the Colonel and 'Squire Tallyho left me, I was glad to catch at any body.

_Lack._ What's that you say, Mrs. Lackland?--I'm very much obliged to you--you have done me infinite honour!

[_Makes a low Bow._

_Enter TALLYHO._

_Tall._ Eh, what, have you all got about the winning-post here?

_Miss Dolly B._ Yes, and now, you may canter off to Newmarket.

_Tall._ Lackland, I give you joy of little Ginger, for she was never good, egg, or bird.

_Enter COLONEL EPAULETTE._

_Colonel E._ How do you, good folks, damme? Ah, Miss Dolly coquin, run away!

_Miss Dolly B._ Yes, Colonel, and didn't even wait for my dancing pumps!

_Colonel E._ How is my good Lady de Bull? zounds!

_Lady B._ Sir, if you're a Frenchman, behave like one.

_Colonel E._ I vill never behave myself, damme!

_Tall._ Oh, Captain, you made the betts against my mare--when do we share, my Trojan?

_Henry._ Sir, I don't understand----

_Tall._ Why, didn't I pay forfeit, and let the colonel's Black Prince walk over the course to-day?

_Henry._ And, seriously, did you dare to think that I'd join in such a scandalous affair?

_Tall._ Then you may fling your cap at Celia.

_Henry._ Hus.h.!.+ you laid me five thousand yourself--consent to my marriage with your sister, or I'll proclaim you, not only here, at Fontainbleau, but at every racecourse in England.

_Tall._ I'm had--yes, and tricked, choused, slanged, and banged! Celia, take him against the field--clever--has nicked me, that have nicked hundreds!

_Henry._ I fancy, the first real good ever produced by gaming; our winning is but a decoy, its joys, built upon the grief of others, and our losses stop but in ruin, or dishonour.

_Tall._ May be so; but, as I set out a young pigeon, I'll die an old rook.

_Sir J. B._ But how shall I get this rook [_To LACKLAND._] out of my pigeon-house?

_Colonel E._ Ah, pauvre Lackland! I ave procure de commission for you, in my regiment.

_Lack._ Thank you, Colonel, but while I can raise the price of a drumstick, I'll never draw a sword against my country.

_Sir J. B._ What!--your hand, my Briton!--you shall never want a nail for your hat, in my parlour, at dinner time--you shall post my books, and take the whip hand of my lady's gig on a Sunday.

_Lack._ Drive a gig! My dear dad, you shall rattle up in your vis-a-vis, to the astonishment of all Garlick Hill.

_Sir J. B._ My dearee and I ride, side by side, in a vis-a-vis! ha! ha!

ha!