_The same morning. Justice Merton’s parlour, furnished and
designed in the style of the early colonial period.
On the right wall, hangs a portrait of the Justice
as a young man; on the left wall, an old-fashioned
looking-glass. At the right of the room stands
the Glass of Truth, draped—as in the blacksmith
shop—with the strange, embroidered curtain._
_In front of it are discovered_ RACHEL _and_
RICHARD; _Rachel is about to draw the
curtain._
RACHEL
Now! Are you willing?
RICHARD
So you suspect me of dark, villainous practices?
RACHEL
No, no, foolish Dick.
RICHARD
Still, I am to be tested; is that it?
RACHEL
That’s it.
RICHARD
As your true lover.
RACHEL
Well, yes.
RICHARD
Why, of course, then, I consent. A true lover always
consents to the follies of his lady-love.
RACHEL
Thank you, Dick; I trust the glass will sustain your
character. Now; when I draw the curtain—
RICHARD
[_Staying her hand._]
What if I be false?
RACHEL
Then, sir, the glass will reflect you as the subtle fox that
you are.
RICHARD
And you—as the goose?
RACHEL
Very likely. Ah! but, Richard dear, we mustn’t laugh. It may
prove very serious. You do not guess—you do not dream all the
mysteries—
RICHARD
[_Shaking his head, with a grave smile._]
You pluck at too many mysteries; sometime they may burn your
fingers. Remember our first mother Eve!
RACHEL
But this is the glass of truth; and Goody Rickby told me—
RICHARD
Rickby, forsooth!
RACHEL
Nay, come; let’s have it over.
[_She draws the curtain, covers her eyes, steps back by
Richard’s side, looks at the glass, and gives a joyous cry._]
Ah! there you are, dear! There we are, both of us—just as
we have always seemed to each other, true. ’Tis proved. Isn’t
it wonderful?
RICHARD
Miraculous! That a mirror bought in a blacksmith shop,
before sunrise, for twenty pounds, should prove to be
actually—a mirror!
RACHEL
Richard, I’m so happy.
[_Enter_ JUSTICE MERTON _and_ MISTRESS MERTON.]
RICHARD
[_Embracing her._]
Happy, art thou, sweet goose? Why, then, God bless Goody
Rickby.
JUSTICE MERTON
Strange words from you, Squire Talbot.
[_Rachel and Richard part quickly; Rachel draws the
curtain over the mirror; Richard stands stiffly._]
RICHARD
Justice Merton! Why, sir, the old witch is more innocent,
perhaps, than I represented her.
JUSTICE MERTON
A witch, believe me, is never innocent.
[_Taking their hands, he brings them together and kisses
Rachel on the forehead._]
Permit me, young lovers. I was once young myself, young and
amorous.
MISTRESS MERTON
[_In a low voice._]
Verily!
JUSTICE MERTON
My fair niece, my worthy young man, beware of witchcraft.
MISTRESS MERTON
And Goody Rickby, too, brother?
JUSTICE MERTON
That woman shall answer for her deeds. She is proscribed.
RACHEL
Proscribed? What is that?
MISTRESS MERTON
[_Examining the mirror._]
What is this?
JUSTICE MERTON
She shall hang.
RACHEL
Uncle, no! Not merely because of my purchase this morning.
JUSTICE MERTON
Your purchase?
MISTRESS MERTON
[_Pointing to the mirror._]
That, I suppose.
JUSTICE MERTON
What! you purchased that mirror of her? You brought it here?
RACHEL
No, the boy brought it; I found it here when I returned.
JUSTICE MERTON
What! From her! You purchased it? From her shop? From her
infamous den, into my parlour!
[_To Mistress Merton._]
Call the servant.
[_Himself calling._]
Micah! This instant, this instant—away with it! Micah!
RACHEL
Uncle Gilead, I bought—
JUSTICE MERTON
Micah, I say! Where is the man?
RACHEL
Listen, Uncle. I bought it with my own money.
JUSTICE MERTON
Thine own money! Wilt have the neighbours gossip? Wilt have
me, thyself, my house, suspected of complicity with witches?
[_Enter_ MICAH.]
Micah, take this away.
MICAH
Yes, sir; but, sir—
JUSTICE MERTON
Out of my house!
MICAH
There be visitors.
JUSTICE MERTON
Away with—
MISTRESS MERTON
[_Touching his arm._]
Gilead!
MICAH
Visitors, sir; gentry.
JUSTICE MERTON
Ah!
MICAH
Shall I show them in, sir?
JUSTICE MERTON
Visitors! In the morning? Who are they?
MICAH
Strangers, sir. I should judge they be very high gentry;
lords, sir.
ALL
Lords!
MICAH
At least, one on ’em, sir. The other—the dark
gentleman—told me they left their horses at the inn, sir.
MISTRESS MERTON
Hark!
[_The faces of all wear suddenly a startled expression._]
Where is that unearthly sound?
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Listening._]
Is it in the cellar?
MICAH
’Tis just the dog howling, madam. When he spied the gentry
he turned tail and run below.
MISTRESS MERTON
Oh, the dog!
JUSTICE MERTON
Show the gentlemen here, Micah. Don’t keep them waiting.
[_Exit_ MICAH.]
A lord!
[_To Rachel._]
We shall talk of this matter later.—A lord!
[_Turning to the small glass on the wall, he arranges his
peruke and attire._]
RACHEL
[_To Richard._]
What a fortunate interruption! But, dear Dick! I wish we
needn’t meet these strangers now.
RICHARD
Would you really rather we were alone together?
[_They chat aside, absorbed in each other._]
JUSTICE MERTON
Think of it, Cynthia, a lord!
MISTRESS MERTON
[_Dusting the furniture hastily with her handkerchief._]
And such dust!
RACHEL
[_To Richard._]
You know, dear, we need only be introduced, and then we can
steal away together.
[_Re-enter_ MICAH.]
MICAH
[_Announcing._]
Lord Ravensbane: Marquis of Oxford, Baron of Wittenberg,
Elector of Worms, and Count of Cordova; Master Dickonson.
[_Enter_ RAVENSBANE _and_ DICKON.]
JUSTICE MERTON
Gentlemen, permit me, you are excessively welcome. I am
deeply gratified to meet—
DICKON
Lord Ravensbane, of the Rookeries, Somersetshire.
JUSTICE MERTON
Lord Ravensbane—his lordship’s most truly honoured.
RAVENSBANE
Truly honoured.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Turning to Dickon._]
His lordship’s—?
DICKON
Tutor.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Checking his effusiveness._]
Ah, so!
DICKON
Justice Merton, I believe.
JUSTICE MERTON
Of Merton House.—May I present—permit me, your lordship—my
sister, Mistress Merton.
RAVENSBANE
Mistress Merton.
JUSTICE MERTON
And my—and my—
[_Under his breath._]
Rachel!
[_Rachel remains with a bored expression behind Richard._]
—my young neighbour, Squire Talbot, Squire Richard Talbot
of—of—
RICHARD
Of nowhere, sir.
RAVENSBANE
[_Nods._]
Nowhere.
JUSTICE MERTON
And permit me, Lord Ravensbane, my niece—Mistress Rachel
Merton.
RAVENSBANE
[_Bows low._]
Mistress Rachel Merton.
RACHEL
[_Courtesies._]
Lord Ravensbane.
[_As they raise their heads, their eyes meet and are fascinated.
Dickon just then takes Ravensbane’s pipe and fills it._]
RAVENSBANE
Mistress Rachel!
RACHEL
Your lordship!
[_Dickon returns the pipe._]
MISTRESS MERTON
A pipe! Gilead!—in the parlour!
[_Justice Merton frowns silence._]
JUSTICE MERTON
Your lordship—ahem!—has just arrived in town?
DICKON
From London, via New Amsterdam.
RICHARD
[_Aside._]
Is he staring at _you_? Are you ill, Rachel?
RACHEL
[_Indifferently._]
What?
JUSTICE MERTON
Lord Ravensbane honours my humble roof.
DICKON
[_Touches Ravensbane’s arm._]
Your lordship—“roof.”
RAVENSBANE
[_Starting, turns to Merton._]
Nay, sir, the roof of my father’s oldest friend bestows
generous hospitality upon his only son.
JUSTICE MERTON
Only son—ah, yes! Your father—
RAVENSBANE
My father, I trust, sir, has never forgotten the intimate
companionship, the touching devotion, the unceasing solicitude
for his happiness which you, sir, manifested to him in the
days of his youth.
JUSTICE MERTON
Really, your lordship, the—the slight favours which—hem!
some years ago, I was privileged to show your illustrious
father—
RAVENSBANE
Permit me!—Because, however, of his present infirmities—for
I regret to say that my father is suffering a temporary
aberration of mind—
JUSTICE MERTON
You distress me!
RAVENSBANE
My lady mother has charged me with a double mission here in
New England. On my quitting my home, sir, to explore the
wideness and the mystery of this world, my mother bade me be
sure to call upon his worship, the Justice Merton; and deliver
to him, first, my father’s remembrances; and secondly, my
mother’s epistle.
DICKON
[_Handing to Justice Merton a sealed document._]
Her ladyship’s letter, sir.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Examining the seal with awe, speaks aside to
Mistress Merton._]
Cynthia!—a crested seal!
DICKON
His lordship’s crest, sir: rooks rampant.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Embarrassed, breaks the seal._]
Permit me.
RACHEL
[_Looking at Ravensbane._]
Have you noticed his bearing, Richard: what personal
distinction! what inbred nobility! Every inch a true lord!
RICHARD
He may be a lord, my dear, but he walks like a broomstick.
RACHEL
How dare you!
[_Turns abruptly away; as she does so, a fold of her gown
catches in a chair._]
DICKON
[_To Justice Merton._]
A word, sir.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Glancing up from the letter._]
I am astonished—overpowered!
RAVENSBANE
Mistress Rachel—permit me.
[_Stooping, he extricates the fold of her gown._]
RACHEL
Oh, thank you.
[_They go aside together._]
RICHARD
[_To Mistress Merton._]
So Lord Ravensbane and his family are old friends of yours?
MISTRESS MERTON
[_Monosyllabically._]
I never heard the name before, Richard.
RICHARD
Why! but I thought that your brother, the Justice—
MISTRESS MERTON
The Justice is reticent.
RICHARD
Ah!
MISTRESS MERTON
Especially concerning his youth.
RICHARD
Ah!
RAVENSBANE
[_To Rachel, taking her hand after a whisper from Dickon._]
Believe me, sweet lady, it will give me the deepest pleasure.
RACHEL
Can you really tell fortunes?
RAVENSBANE
More than that; I can bestow them.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_To Dickon._]
But is her ladyship really serious? An offer of marriage!
DICKON
Pray read it again, sir.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Reads._]
“To the Worshipful, the Justice Gilead Merton,
“Merton House.
“My Honourable Friend and Benefactor:
“With these brief lines I commend to you our
son”—_our_ son!
DICKON
She speaks likewise for his young lordship’s father, sir.
JUSTICE MERTON
Ah! of course.
[_Reads._]
“In a strange land, I intrust him to you as to a father.”
Honoured, believe me! “I have only to add my earnest hope that
the natural gifts, graces, and inherited fortune”—ah—!
DICKON
Twenty thousand pounds—on his father’s demise.
JUSTICE MERTON
Ah!—“fortune of this young scion of nobility will so
propitiate the heart of your niece, Mistress Rachel Merton,
as to cause her to accept his proffered hand in matrimony;”
—but—but—but Squire Talbot is betrothed to—well, well, we
shall see;—“in matrimony, and thus cement the early bonds of
interest and affection between your honoured self and his
lordship’s father; not to mention, dear sir, your worship’s
ever grateful and obedient admirer,
“ELIZABETH,
“Marchioness of R.”
Of R.! of R.! Will you believe me, my dear sir, so long is
it since my travels in England—I visited at so many—hem!
noble estates—permit me, it is so awkward, but—
DICKON
[_With his peculiar intonation of Act I._]
Not at all.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Starting._]
I—I confess, sir, my youthful memory fails me. Will you be
so very obliging; this—this Marchioness of R.—?
DICKON
[_Enjoying his discomfiture._]
Yes?
JUSTICE MERTON
The R, I presume, stands for—
DICKON
Rickby.
RAVENSBANE
[_Calls._]
Dickon, my pipe!
[_Dickon glides away to fill Ravensbane’s pipe._]
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Stands bewildered and horror-struck._]
Great God!—Thou inexorable Judge!
RICHARD
[_To Mistress Merton, scowling at Ravensbane and Rachel._]
Are these court manners, in London?
MISTRESS MERTON
Don’t ask _me_, Richard.
RAVENSBANE
[_Dejectedly to Rachel, as Dickon is refilling his pipe._]
Alas! Mistress Rachel is cruel.
RACHEL
I?—cruel, your lordship?
RAVENSBANE
Your own white hand has written it.
[_Lifting her palm._]
See, these lines: Rejection! you will reject one who loves
you dearly.
RACHEL
Fie, your lordship! Be not cast down at fortune-telling. Let
me tell yours, may I?
RAVENSBANE
[_Rapturously holding his palm for her to examine._]
Ah! Permit me.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Murmurs, in terrible agitation._]
Dickon! Can it be Dickon?
RACHEL
Why, Lord Ravensbane, your pulse. Really, if I am cruel, you
are quite heartless. I declare I can’t feel your heart beat at
all.
RAVENSBANE
Ah! mistress, that is because I have just lost it.
RACHEL
[_Archly._]
Where?
RAVENSBANE
[_Faintly._]
Dickon, my pipe!
RACHEL
Alas! my lord, are you ill?
DICKON
[_Restoring the lighted pipe to Ravensbane, speaks aside._]
Pardon me, sweet young lady, I must confide to you that his
lordship’s heart is peculiarly responsive to his emotions.
When he feels very ardently, it quite stops. Hence the use of
his pipe.
RACHEL
Oh! Is smoking, then, necessary for his heart?
DICKON
Absolutely—to equilibrate the valvular palpitations.
Without his pipe—should his lordship experience, for
instance, the emotion of love—he might die.
RACHEL
You alarm me!
DICKON
But this is for you only, Mistress Rachel. We may confide in
you?
RACHEL
Oh, utterly, sir.
DICKON
His lordship, you know, is so sensitive.
RAVENSBANE
[_To Rachel._]
You have given it back to me. Why did not you keep it?
RACHEL
What, my lord?
RAVENSBANE
My heart.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_To Dickon._]
Permit me, one moment; I did not catch your name.
DICKON
My name? Dickonson.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_With a gasp of relief._]
Ah, Dickonson! Thank you. I mistook the word.
DICKON
A compound, your worship.
[_With a malignant smile._]
Dickon-
[_Then jerking his thumb over his shoulder
at Ravensbane._]
son!
[_Bowing._]
Both at your service.
JUSTICE MERTON
If—if you can show pity—speak low.
DICKON
As hell, your worship?
JUSTICE MERTON
Is he—he there?
DICKON
Bessie’s brat; yes; it didn’t die, after all, poor suckling!
Dickon weaned it. Saved it for balm of Gilead. Raised it for
joyful home-coming. Prodigal’s return! Twenty-first birthday!
Happy son! Happy father!
JUSTICE MERTON
My—son!
DICKON
Felicitations!
JUSTICE MERTON
I will not believe it.
DICKON
Truth is hard fare.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Faintly._]
What—what do you want?
DICKON
Only the happiness of your dear ones.
[_Indicating Rachel and Ravensbane._]
The union of these young hearts and hands.
JUSTICE MERTON
What! he will dare—an illegitimate—
DICKON
Fie, fie, Gilly! Why, the brat is a lord now.
JUSTICE MERTON
Oh, the disgrace! Spare me that, Dickon.
RICHARD
[_In a low voice to Rachel, who is talking in a
fascinated manner to Ravensbane._]
Are you mad?
RACHEL
[_Indifferently._]
What is the matter?
[_Laughing, to Ravensbane._]
Oh, your lordship is too witty!
JUSTICE MERTON
[_To Dickon._]
After all, I was young then.
DICKON
Quite so.
JUSTICE MERTON
And she is innocent; she is already betrothed.
DICKON
Twiddle-twaddle! Look at her eyes now!
[_Rachel is still telling Ravensbane’s fortune;
and they are manifestly absorbed in each other._]
’Tis a brilliant match; besides, her ladyship’s heart is set
upon it.
JUSTICE MERTON
Her ladyship—?
DICKON
The Marchioness of Rickby.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Glowering._]
I had forgotten.
DICKON
Her ladyship has never forgotten. So, you see, your
worship’s alternatives are most simple. Alternative one:
advance his lordship’s suit with your niece as speedily as
possible, and save all scandal. Alternative two: impede his
lordship’s suit, and—
JUSTICE MERTON
Don’t, Dickon! don’t reveal the truth; not disgrace now!
DICKON
Good; we are agreed, then?
JUSTICE MERTON
I have no choice.
DICKON
[_Cheerfully._]
Why, true; we ignored that, didn’t we?
MISTRESS MERTON
[_Approaching._]
This young lord—Why, Gilead, are you ill?
JUSTICE MERTON
[_With a great effort, commands himself._]
Not in the least.
MISTRESS MERTON
Rachel’s deportment, my dear brother—
RACHEL
I am really at a loss. Your lordship’s hand is so very
peculiar.
RAVENSBANE
Ah! Peculiar.
RACHEL
This, now, is the line of life.
RAVENSBANE
Of life, yes?
RACHEL
But it begins so abruptly, and see! it breaks off and ends
nowhere. And just so here with this line—the line of—of
love.
RAVENSBANE
Of love. So; it breaks?
RACHEL
Yes.
RAVENSBANE
Ah, then, that must be the _heart_ line.
RACHEL
I am afraid your lordship is very fickle.
MISTRESS MERTON
[_Horrified._]
I tell you, Gilead, they are fortune-telling!
JUSTICE MERTON
Tush! Tush!
MISTRESS MERTON
Tush? “_Tush_” to _me_? Tush!
[_Richard, who has been stifling his feelings at Rachel’s
rebuff, and has stood fidgeting at a civil distance
from her, now walks up to Justice Merton._]
RICHARD
Intolerable! Do you approve of _this_, sir? Are Lord
Ravensbane’s credentials satisfactory?
JUSTICE MERTON
Eminently, eminently.
RICHARD
Ah! So her ladyship’s letter is—
JUSTICE MERTON
Charming; charming.
RICHARD
To be sure; old friends, when they are lords, it makes such
a difference.
DICKON
True friends—old friends;
New friends—cold friends.
_N’est ce pas_, your worship?
JUSTICE MERTON
Indeed, Master Dickonson; indeed!
[_To Richard, as Dickon goes toward Ravensbane and Rachel_.]
What happiness to encounter the manners of the nobility!
RICHARD
If you approve them, sir, it is sufficient. This is your
house.
[_He turns away._]
JUSTICE MERTON
Your lordship will, I trust, make my house your home.
RAVENSBANE
My home, sir.
RACHEL
[_To Dickon, who has spoken to her._]
Really?
[_To Justice Merton._]
Why, uncle, what is this Master Dickonson tells us?
JUSTICE MERTON
What! What! he has revealed—
RACHEL
Yes, indeed. Why did you never tell us?
JUSTICE MERTON
Rachel! Rachel!
MISTRESS MERTON
You are moved, brother.
RACHEL
[_Laughingly to Ravensbane._]
My uncle is doubtless astonished to find you so grown.
RAVENSBANE
[_Laughingly to Justice Merton._]
I am doubtless astonished, sir, to be so grown.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_To Dickon._]
You have—
DICKON
Remarked, sir, that your worship had often dandled his
lordship—as an infant.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Smiling lugubriously._]
Quite so—as an infant merely.
RACHEL
How interesting! Then you must have seen his lordship’s home
in England.
JUSTICE MERTON
As you say.
RACHEL
[_To Ravensbane._]
Do describe it to us. We are so isolated here from the grand
world. Do you know, I always imagine England to be an
enchanted isle, like one of the old Hesperides, teeming with
fruits of solid gold.
RAVENSBANE
Ah, yes! my mother raises them.
RACHEL
Fruits of gold?
RAVENSBANE
Round like the rising sun. She calls them—ah! punkins.
MISTRESS MERTON
“Punkins!”
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Aside, grinding his teeth._]
Scoundrel! Scoundrel!
RACHEL
[_Laughing._]
Your lordship pokes fun at us.
DICKON
His lordship is an artist in words, mistress. I have noticed
that in whatever country he is travelling, he tinges his
vocabulary with the local idiom. His lordship means, of
course, not pumpkins, but pomegranates.
RACHEL
We forgive him. But, your lordship, please be serious and
describe to us your hall.
RAVENSBANE
Quite serious: the hall. Yes, yes; in the middle burns a
great fire—on a black—ah!—black altar.
DICKON
A Druidical heirloom. His lordship’s mother collects
antiques.
RACHEL
How fascinating!
RAVENSBANE
Quite fascinating! On the walls hang pieces of iron.
DICKON
Trophies of Saxon warfare.
RAVENSBANE
And rusty horseshoes.
GENERAL MURMURS
Horseshoes!
DICKON
Presents from the German emperor. They were worn by the
steeds of Charlemagne.
RAVENSBANE
Quite so; and broken cart-wheels.
DICKON
Reliques of British chariots.
RACHEL
How mediæval it must be!
[_To Justice Merton._]
And to think you never described it to us!
MISTRESS MERTON
True, brother; you have been singularly reticent.
JUSTICE MERTON
Permit me; it is impossible to report all one sees on one’s
travels.
MISTRESS MERTON
Evidently.
RACHEL
But surely your lordship’s mother has other diversions
besides collecting antiques. I have heard that in England
ladies followed the hounds; and sometimes—
[_Looking at her aunt and lowering her voice._]
they even dance.
RAVENSBANE
Dance—ah, yes; my lady mother dances about the—the altar;
she swings high a hammer.
DICKON
Your lordship, your lordship! Pray, sir, check this vein of
poetry. Lord Ravensbane symbolizes as a hammer and altar a
golf-stick and tee—a Scottish game, which her ladyship plays
on her Highland estates.
RICHARD
[_To Mistress Merton._]
What do you think of this?
MISTRESS MERTON
[_With a scandalized look toward her brother._]
He said to me “tush.”
RICHARD
[_To Justice Merton, indicating Dickon._]
Who is this magpie?
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Hisses in fury._]
Satan!
RICHARD
I beg pardon!
JUSTICE MERTON
Satan, sir—makes you jealous.
RICHARD
[_Bows stiffly._]
Good morning.
[_Walking up to Ravensbane._]
Lord Ravensbane, I have a rustic colonial question to ask.
Is it the latest fashion to smoke incessantly in ladies’
parlours, or is it—mediæval?
DICKON
His lordship’s health, sir, necessitates—
RICHARD
I addressed his lordship.
RAVENSBANE
In the matter of fashions, sir—
[_Hands his pipe to be refilled._]
My pipe, Dickon!
[_While Dickon holds his pipe—somewhat longer than
usual—Ravensbane, with his mouth open as if about to
speak, relapses into a vacant stare._]
DICKON
[_As he lights the pipe for Ravensbane, speaks suavely
and low as if not to be overheard by him._]
Pardon me. The fact is, my young pupil is sensitive; the
wound from his latest duel is not quite healed; you observe a
slight lameness, an occasional absence of mind.
RACHEL
A wound—in a real duel?
RICHARD
Necessitates his smoking! A valid reason!
DICKON
[_Aside._]
You, mistress, know the _true_ reason—his lordship’s heart.
RACHEL
Believe me, sir—
RICHARD
[_To Ravensbane, who is still staring vacantly
into space._]
Well, well, your lordship.
[_Ravensbane pays no attention._]
You were saying—?
[_Dickon returns the pipe._]
in the matter of fashions, sir—?
RAVENSBANE
[_Regaining slowly a look of intelligence, draws
himself up with affronted hauteur._]
Permit me!
[_Puffs several wreaths of smoke into the air._]
I _am_ the fashions.
RICHARD
[_Going._]
Insufferable!
[_He pauses at the door._]
MISTRESS MERTON
[_To Justice Merton._]
Well—what do you think of that?
JUSTICE MERTON
Spoken like King Charles himself.
MISTRESS MERTON
Brother! brother! is there nothing wrong here?
JUSTICE MERTON
Wrong, Cynthia! Manifestly you are quite ignorant of the
manners of the great.
MISTRESS MERTON
Oh, Gilead!
JUSTICE MERTON
Where are you going?
MISTRESS MERTON
To my room.
[_Murmurs, as she hurries out._]
Dear! dear! if it should be that again!
[_Dickon and Justice Merton withdraw
to a corner of the room._]
RACHEL
[_To Ravensbane._]
I—object to the smoke? Why, I think it is charming.
RICHARD
[_Who has returned from the door, speaks in a low,
constrained voice._]
Rachel!
RACHEL
Oh!—you?
RICHARD
You take quickly to European fashions.
RACHEL
Yes? To what one in particular?
RICHARD
Two; smoking and flirtation.
RACHEL
Jealous?
RICHARD
Of an idiot? I hope not. Manners differ, however. Your
confidences to his lordship have evidently not included—your
relation to me.
RACHEL
Oh, our relations!
RICHARD
Of course, since you wish him to continue in ignorance—
RACHEL
Not at all. He shall know at once. Lord Ravensbane!
RAVENSBANE
Fair mistress!
RICHARD
Rachel, stop! I did not mean—
RACHEL
[_To Ravensbane._]
My uncle did not introduce to you with sufficient
elaboration this gentleman. Will you allow me to do so now?
RAVENSBANE
I adore Mistress Rachel’s elaborations.
RACHEL
Lord Ravensbane, I beg to present Squire Talbot,
_my betrothed_.
RAVENSBANE
Betrothed! Is it—
[_Noticing Richard’s frown._]
is it pleasant?
RACHEL
[_To Richard._]
Are you satisfied?
RICHARD
[_Trembling with feeling._]
_More_ than satisfied.
[_Exit._]
RAVENSBANE
[_Looking after him._]
Ah! Betrothed is _not_ pleasant.
RACHEL
Not always.
RAVENSBANE
[_Anxiously._]
Mistress Rachel is not pleased?
RACHEL
[_Biting her lip, looks after Richard._]
With him.
RAVENSBANE
Mistress Rachel will smile again?
RACHEL
Soon.
RAVENSBANE
[_Ardent._]
Ah! if she would only smile once more! What can Lord
Ravensbane do to make her smile? See! will you puff my pipe?
It is very pleasant.
[_Offering the pipe._]
RACHEL
[_Smiling._]
Shall I try?
[_Takes hold of it mischievously._]
JUSTICE MERTON
[_In a great voice._]
Rachel!
RACHEL
Why, uncle!
JUSTICE MERTON
[_From where he has been conversing in a corner with Dickon,
approaches now and speaks suavely to Ravensbane._]
Permit me, your lordship—Rachel, you will kindly withdraw
for a few moments; I desire to confer with Lord Ravensbane
concerning his mother’s—her ladyship’s letter;
[_Obsequiously to Dickon._]
—that is, if you think, sir, that your noble pupil is not too
fatigued.
DICKON
Not at all; I think his lordship will listen to you with
much pleasure.
RAVENSBANE
[_Bowing to Justice Merton, but looking at Rachel._]
With much pleasure.
DICKON
And in the meantime, if Mistress Rachel will allow me, I
will assist her in writing those invitations which your
worship desires to send in her name.
JUSTICE MERTON
Invitations—from my niece?
DICKON
To his Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor; to your friends,
the Reverend Masters at Harvard College, etc., etc.; in brief,
to all your worship’s select social acquaintance in the
vicinity—to meet his lordship. It was so thoughtful in you to
suggest it, sir, and believe me, his lordship appreciates your
courtesy in arranging the reception in his honour for this
afternoon.
RACHEL
[_To Justice Merton._]
This afternoon! Are we really to give his lordship a
reception this afternoon?
DICKON
Your uncle has already given me the list of guests; so
considerate! Permit me to act as your scribe, Mistress Rachel.
RACHEL
With pleasure.
[_To Justice Merton._]
And will it be here, uncle?
DICKON
[_Looking at him narrowly._]
Your worship said _here_, I believe?
JUSTICE MERTON
Quite so, sir; quite so, quite so.
DICKON
[_Aside to Justice Merton._]
I advise nothing rash, Gilly; the brat has a weak heart.
RACHEL
This way, Master Dickonson, to the study.
DICKON
[_As he goes with Rachel._]
I will write and you sign?
RACHEL
Thank you.
DICKON
[_Aside, as he passes Ravensbane._]
Remember, Jack! Puff, puff!
RACHEL
[_To Ravensbane, who stretches out his hand to her with a
gesture of entreaty to stay._]
Your lordship is to be my guest.
[_Courtesying._]
Till we meet again!
DICKON
[_To Rachel._]
May I sharpen your quill?
[_Exeunt._]
RAVENSBANE
[_Faintly, looking after her._]
Till—we—meet—again!
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Low and vehement to Ravensbane._]
Impostor!
RAVENSBANE
[_Still staring at the door._]
She is gone.
JUSTICE MERTON
You at least shall not play the lord and master to my face.
RAVENSBANE
Quite—gone!
JUSTICE MERTON
I know with whom I have to deal. If I be any judge of my own
flesh and blood—permit me—you shall quail before me.
RAVENSBANE
[_Dejectedly._]
She did not smile—
[_Joyously._]
She smiled!
JUSTICE MERTON
Affected rogue! I know thee. I know thy feigned pauses, thy
assumed vagaries. Speak; how much do you want?
RAVENSBANE
Betrothed,—he went away. That was good. And then—she did
not smile: that was not good. But then—she smiled! Ah! that
was good.
JUSTICE MERTON
Come back, coward, and face me.
RAVENSBANE
First, the great sun shone over the corn-fields, the grass
was green; the black wings rose and flew before me; then the
door opened—and she looked at me.
JUSTICE MERTON
Speak, I say! What sum? What treasure do you hope to bleed
from me?
RAVENSBANE
[_Ecstatically._]
Ah! Mistress Rachel!
JUSTICE MERTON
Her! Scoundrel, if thou dost name her again, my innocent—my
sweet maid! If thou dost—thou godless spawn of
temptation—mark you, I will put an end—
[_Reaching for a pistol that rests in a rack on the
wall,—the intervening form of Dickon suddenly
appears, pockets the pistol, and exit._]
DICKON
I beg pardon; I forgot something.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Sinking into a chair._]
God is just.
[_He holds his head in his hands and weeps._]
RAVENSBANE
[_For the first time, since Rachel’s departure,
observes Merton._]
Permit me, sir, are you ill?
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Recoiling._]
What art thou?
RAVENSBANE
[_Monotonously._]
I am Lord Ravensbane: Marquis of Oxford, Baron of
Wittenberg, Elector of Worms, and—
JUSTICE MERTON
And my son!
[_Covers his face again._]
RAVENSBANE
[_Solicitously._]
Shall I call Dickon?
JUSTICE MERTON
Yea, for thou art my son. The deed once done is never done,
the past is the present.
RAVENSBANE
[_Walking softly toward the door, calls._]
Dickon!
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Starting up._]
No, do not call him. Stay, and be merciful. Tell me: I hate
thee not; thou wast innocent. Tell me!—I thought thou hadst
died as a babe.—Where has Dickon, our tyrant, kept thee these
twenty years?
RAVENSBANE
[_With gentle courtesy._]
Master Dickonson is my tutor.
JUSTICE MERTON
And why has thy mother— Ah, I know well; I deserve all. But
yet, it must not be published now! I am a justice now, an
honoured citizen—and my young niece— Thy mother will not
demand so much; she will be considerate; she will ask some
gold, of course, but she will show pity!
RAVENSBANE
My mother is the Marchioness of Rickby.
JUSTICE MERTON
Yes, yes; ’twas well planned, a clever trick. ’Twas skilful
of her. But surely thy mother gave thee commands to—
RAVENSBANE
My mother gave me her blessing.
JUSTICE MERTON
Ah, ’tis well then. Young man, my son, I too will give thee
my blessing, if thou wilt but go—go instantly—go with half
my fortune, go away forever, and leave my reputation
unstained.
RAVENSBANE
Go away?
[_Starting for the study door._]
Ah, sir, with much pleasure.
JUSTICE MERTON
You will go? You will leave me my honour—and my Rachel?
RAVENSBANE
Rachel? Rachel is yours? No, no, Mistress Rachel is mine. We
are ours.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Pleadingly._]
Consider the disgrace.
RAVENSBANE
No, no; I have seen her eyes, they are mine; I have seen her
smiles, they are mine; she is mine!
JUSTICE MERTON
Consider, one moment consider—you, an illegitimate—and
she—oh, think what thou art!
RAVENSBANE
[_Monotonously, puffing smoke at the end._]
I am Lord Ravensbane: Marquis of Oxford, Baron of
Wittenberg, Elector of Worms, and Count—
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Wrenching the pipe from Ravensbane’s hand and lips._]
Devil’s child! Boor! Buffoon!
[_Flinging the pipe away._]
I will stand thy insults no longer. If thou hast no heart—
RAVENSBANE
[_Putting his hand to his side, staggers._]
Ah! my heart!
JUSTICE MERTON
Hypocrite! Thou canst not fool me. I am thy father.
RAVENSBANE
[_Faintly, stretching out his hand to him for support._]
Father!
JUSTICE MERTON
Stand away. Thou mayst break thy heart and mine and the
devil’s, but thou shalt not break
Rachel’s.
RAVENSBANE
[_Faintly._]
Mistress Rachel is mine—
[_He staggers again, and falls, half reclining, upon a chair._]
JUSTICE MERTON
Good God! Can it be—his heart?
RAVENSBANE
[_More faintly, beginning to change expression._]
Her eyes are mine; her smiles are mine.
[_His eyes close._]
JUSTICE MERTON
[_With agitated swiftness, feels and listens
at Ravensbane’s side._]
Not a motion; not a sound! Yea, God, Thou art good! ’Tis his
heart. He is—ah! he is my son. Judge Almighty, if he should
die now; may I not be still a moment more and make sure. No,
no, my son—he is changing.
[_Calls._]
Help! Help! Rachel! Master Dickonson! Help! Richard!
Cynthia! Come hither!
[_Enter Dickon and Rachel._]
RACHEL
Uncle!
JUSTICE MERTON
Bring wine. Lord Ravensbane has fainted.
RACHEL
Oh!
[_Turning swiftly to go._]
Micah, wine.
DICKON
[_Detaining her._]
Stay! His pipe! Where is his lordship’s pipe?
RACHEL
Oh, terrible!
[_Enter, at different doors, Mistress Merton and Richard._]
MISTRESS MERTON
What’s the matter?
JUSTICE MERTON
[_To Rachel._]
He threw it away. He is worse. Bring the wine.
MISTRESS MERTON
Look! How strange he appears
RACHEL
[_Searching distractedly._]
The pipe! His lordship’s pipe! It is lost, Master Dickonson.
DICKON
[_Stooping, as if searching, with his back turned, having
picked up the pipe, is filling and lighting it._]
It must be found. This is a heart attack, my friends; his
lordship’s life depends on the nicotine.
[_Deftly he places the pipe in Rachel’s way._]
RACHEL
Thank God! Here it is.
[_Carrying it to the prostrate form of Ravensbane, she
lifts his head and is about to put the pipe in his
mouth._]
Shall I—shall I put it in?
RICHARD
No! not you.
RACHEL
Sir!
RICHARD
Let his tutor perform that office.
RACHEL
[_Lifting Lord Ravensbane’s head again._]
Here, my lord.
RICHARD AND JUSTICE MERTON
[_Together._]
Rachel!
RACHEL
You, too, uncle?
DICKON
Pardon me, Mistress Rachel; give the pipe at once. Only a
token of true affection can revive his lordship now.
RICHARD
[_As Rachel puts the pipe to Ravensbane’s lips._]
I forbid it, Rachel.
RACHEL
[_Watching only Ravensbane._]
My lord—my lord!
MISTRESS MERTON
Give him air; unbutton his coat.
[_Rachel unbuttons Ravensbane’s coat,
revealing the embroidered waistcoat._]
Ah, heavens! What do I see?
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Looks, blanches, and signs silence to Mistress Merton._]
Cynthia!
DICKON
See! He puffs—he revives. He is coming to himself.
MISTRESS MERTON
[_Aside to Justice Merton, with deep tensity._]
That waistcoat! that waistcoat! Brother, hast thou never
seen it before?
JUSTICE MERTON
Never, my sister.
RACHEL
[_As Ravensbane rises to his feet._]
At last!
DICKON
Look! he is restored.
RACHEL
God be thanked!
DICKON
My lord, Mistress Rachel has saved your life.
RAVENSBANE
[_Taking Rachel’s hand._]
Mistress Rachel is mine; we are ours.
RICHARD
Dare to repeat that.
RAVENSBANE
[_Looking at Rachel._]
Her eyes are mine.
RICHARD
[_Flinging his glove in his face._]
And that, sir, is yours. I believe such is the proper
fashion in England. If your lordship’s last duelling wound is
sufficiently healed, perhaps you will deign a reply.
RACHEL
Richard! Your lordship!
RAVENSBANE
[_Stoops, picks up the glove, pockets it, bows to Rachel, and
steps close to Richard._]
Permit me!
[_He blows a puff of smoke full in Richard’s face._]