MISS P.--It can't be, John Howell--my dear, brave, kind John Howell.
It can't be. I have watched this for some time past, and poor Mary's
despair here. [Kisses Mary, who cries plentifully.] You have the heart
of a true, brave man, and must show it and prove it now. I am not--am
not of your pardon me for saying so--of your class in life. I was bred
by my uncle, away from my poor parents, though I came back to them after
his sudden death; and to poverty, and to this dependent life I am now
leading. I am a servant, like you, John, but in another sphere--have
to seek another place now; and heaven knows if I shall procure one, now
that that unlucky passage in my life is known. Oh, the coward to recall
it! the coward!
MARY.--But John whopped him, Miss! that he did. He gave it him well,
John did. [Crying.]
MISS P.--You can't--you ought not to forego an attachment like that,
John Howell. A more honest and true-hearted creature never breathed than
Mary Barlow.
JOHN.--No, indeed.
MISS P.--She has loved you since she was a little child. And you loved
her once, and do now, John.
MARY.--Oh, Miss! you hare a hangel,--I hallways said you were a hangel.
MISS P.--You are better than I am, my dear much, much better than I am,
John. The curse of my poverty has been that I have had to flatter and to
dissemble, and hide the faults of those I wanted to help, and to smile
when I was hurt, and laugh when I was sad, and to coax, and to tack, and
to bide my time,--not with Mr. Milliken: he is all honor, and kindness,
and simplicity. Who did HE ever injure, or what unkind word did HE ever
say? But do you think, with the jealousy of those poor ladies over his
house, I could have stayed here without being a hypocrite to both of
them? Go, John. My good, dear friend, John Howell, marry Mary. You'll be
happier with her than with me. There! There! [They embrace.]
MARY.--O--o--o! I think I'll go and hiron hout Miss Harabella's frocks
now. [Exit MARY.]
Enter MILLIKEN with CLARENCE--who is explaining things to him.
CLARENCE.--Here they are, I give you my word of honor. Ask 'em, damn em.
MILLIKEN.--What is this I hear? You, John Howell, have dared to strike a
gentleman under my roof! Your master's brother-in-law?
JOHN.--Yes, by Jove! and I'd do it again.
MILLIKEN.--Are you drunk or mad, Howell?
JOHN.--I'm as sober and as sensible as ever I was in my life, sir--I not
only struck the master, but I struck the man, who's twice as big, only
not quite as big a coward, I think.
MILLIKEN.--Hold your scurrilous tongues sir! My good nature ruins
everybody about me. Make up your accounts. Pack your trunks--and never
let me see your face again.
JOHN.--Very good, sir.
MILLIKEN.--I suppose, Miss Prior, you will also be disposed to--to
follow Mr. Howell?
MISS P.--To quit you, now you know what has passed? I never supposed
it could be otherwise--I deceived you, Mr. Milliken--as I kept a secret
from you, and must pay the penalty. It is a relief to me, the sword has
been hanging over me. I wish I had told your poor wife, as I was often
minded to do.
MILLIKEN.--Oh, you were minded to do it in Italy, were you?
MISS P.--Captain Touchit knew it, sir, all along: and that my motives
and, thank God, my life were honorable.
MILLIKEN.--Oh, Touchit knew it, did he? and thought it
honorable--honorable. Ha! ha! to marry a footman--and keep a
public-house? I--I beg your pardon, John Howell--I mean nothing against
you, you know. You're an honorable man enough, except that you have been
damned insolent to my brother-in-law.