SCENE I.--_A view by a river side; on the opposite bank are seen the
backs of houses--immersed in water, as at Blackwall, &c._
_Enter TOM, with a large hamper, L. H._
TOM. Come, this will do; though its utility exceeds its beauty; a
confoundedly ugly basket, though destined to hold most rare contents:
several sugar loaves, a canister of tea--black and green, almonds and
raisins in abundance, coffee, rice, and spices, bars of soap, starch
and powder, blue enough to stock a small shop. Dear Fanny! if her
heart is not won by such a store of valuables, it is indeed hard.
_Enter RECKLESS, L. H._
RECK. Ha, ha, ha, I've found her--What you here?
TOM. Yes, sir.
RECK. I have found her, I'll tell you; congratulate your fortunate
master, most faithful Thomas.
TOM. Have you indeed found Miss Julia, and how?
RECK. Simply saw her at a house window.
TOM. But you cannot get into that house.
RECK. No; but I have got my mark, the means of hitting that mark are
still in fortune's hands.
TOM. And in worse hands they could not be; sir, do give up this
scheme. You fall in love with a young lady at a boarding school,
correspond with her under a feigned name--
RECK. Yes, you know that arose from the fear of my cousin, old
Guineamore, hearing of these matters. I dared not trust my own lady
love. You are aware I have immense expectations from him, and that he
hates anything like adventures.
TOM. Yes, and Reginald de Mowbray is a much prettier name than Ralph
Reckless, but where was I? Oh, a feigned name. Well, the young lady's
governess finds out the correspondence, and very properly sends her to
her guardians, who takes her into the country, also very properly;
give up this scheme, sir--
RECK. Not I; when I have found the retreat of my charmer, the cavern
where the treasure is hid, shall I be craven knight enough to fear the
dragon that guards it? No, man, not I--so if you have not better
advice to give, we'll change the subject. What the devil is that great
basket for?
TOM. What? oh, that is an affair of the heart; you have confided all
your tender secrets to me, therefore I will do the same to you, sir,
if you will allow me.
RECK. Certainly, good Thomas, go on.
TOM. Why, a sort of a relation of mine--a grocer, died the other day,
without a will, and his stock in trade got divided among six of us. I
have borrowed this large crate from Delfs, the crockery-warehouseman,
to stow my share in; and am thinking I could not do the genteel thing
better, (as my sweetheart Fanny's in service, and has to find such
articles out of her wages,) than to make her a delicate present of the
groceries, to sweeten my progress in her affections--eh, sir?
RECK. Delicate indeed! that I should have so gallant a man in my
service; and where does this happy maiden reside?
TOM. You see that white house, the other side of the water? one of
those houses in the water.
RECK. What! the white one?
TOM. Yes, she is housemaid there.