ACT IV.
SCENE I.
[An Apartment at Sir Luke's. Enter Elvirus and Aurelia.]
Elvirus.
Oh my Aurelia! since the time I first
saw you— since you left the pleasant spot, where I first beheld you;
what distress, what anguish have we known?
Aur.
Your family?
Elv.
Yes—and that caused the silence
which I hope you have lamented.—I could not wound you with the recital
of our misfortunes—and now, only with the sad idea that I shall never
see you more, I am come to take my leave.
Aur.
Is there a chance that we may never
meet again?
Elv.
There is—and I hope it too—sincerely
hope and request it—to see you again, wou'd be again to behold my father
pining in misery.
Aur.
Explain—[A loud rapping at the
door.] that is, Sir Luke, and Lady Tremor—what shall I say, shou'd
they come hither? they suspect I correspond with some person in the
country—who
shall I say you are? upon what business can I say you are come?
Elv.
To avoid all suspicion of my real
situation, and to be sure to gain admittance, I put on this habit, and
told the servant, when I inquired for you, I was just arrived from
England—[She
starts.] nay, it was but necessary I should conceal who I was in this
suspicious place, or I might plunge a whole family in the imputed guilt
of mine.
Aur.
Good Heaven!
Elv.
I feared, besides, there was no other
means; no likelihood to gain admission—and what, what wou'd I not have
sacrificed, rather than left you for ever without a last farewell? think
on these weighty causes, and pardon the deception.
Aur.
But if they should ask me—
Elv.
Say, as I have done—my stay must
be so short, it is impossible they shou'd detect me—for I must be
back—
Aur.
Where?
Elv.
No matter where—I must be back
before the evening—and would almost wish never to see you more—I love
you, Aurelia—O, how truly! and yet there is a love more dear, more sacred
still.
Aur.
You torture me with suspense—Sir
Luke is coming this way—what name shall I say, if he asks me?
Elv.
Glanmore—I announced that name
to the servant.
Aur.
You tremble.
Elv.
The imposition hurts me—and I feel
as if I dreaded a detection, though 'tis scarce possible—Sorrows have
made a coward of me—even the / servant, I thought, looked at me with
suspicion— and I was both confounded and enraged.
Aur.
Go into this apartment; I'll follow you—
there we may be safe—and do not hide the smallest circumstance which
I may have to apprehend. [Elvirus exit at a door.
Sir Luke. [Without.]
Abominable! provoking! impertinent!
not to be borne!
Aur. [Listening.]
Thank Heaven, Sir Luke is so perplexed
with some affairs of his own, he may not think of mine.— [Exit to
Elvirus.
[Enter Sir Luke, followed by Lady Tremor.]
Sir Luke.
I am out of all patience—and all
temper—did you ever hear of such a compleat impertinent coxcomb? Talk,
talk, talk, continually! and referring to me on all occasions! "Such a
man was a brave General—another a great Admiral," and then he must tell
a long story about a siege, and ask me if it did not make my bosom glow!
Lady.
It had not that effect upon your
face, for you were as white as ashes.
Sir Luke
Aye, you did not see yourself, while
he was talking of grandfathers and great grandfathers—if you had—
Lady.
I was not white, I protest.
Sir Luke.
No—but you were as red as
scarlet.
Lady.
And you ought to have resented the
insult, if you saw me affected by it—Oh! some men wou'd have given him
such a dressing—
Sir Luke.
Yes, my dear, if your uncle the frisseur
had been alive, he wou'd have given him a dressing, I dare say.
Lady.
Sir Luke, none of your impertinence;
you know I can't nor won't bear it—neither will I wait for Lord Flint's
resentment on Mr. Twineall.—No, I desire you will tell him to quit this
roof immediately.
Sir Luke.
No, my dear—no, no—you must excuse
me—I can't think of quarrelling with a gentleman in my own house.
Lady.
Was it your own house to day at dinner
when he insulted us? and would quarrel then?
Sir Luke.
No—that was a friend's house—and
I make it a rule never to quarrel in my own house—a friend's house—in
a tavern—or in the streets.
Lady.
Well, then, I would quarrel in my
own house—a friend's house—a tavern—or in the streets—if any one
offended me.
Sir Luke.
O, my dear, I have no doubt of it—
no doubt, in the least.
Lady.
But, at present, it shall be in my
own house,—and I will tell the gentleman to quit it immediately.
Sir Luke.
Very well, my dear—pray do.
Lady.
I suppose, however, I may tell him
I have your authority to bid him go?
Sir Luke.
Tell him I have no authority—none
in the world over you—but that you will do as you like.
Lady.
I can't tell him so—he won't believe
it.
Sir Luke.
Why not? you often tell me so, and
make me believe it too.
Lady.
Here the gentleman comes—go away
for a moment.
Sir Luke.
With all my heart, my dear. [Going
in a hurry.
Lady.
I'll give him a few hints, that he
must either change his mode of behaviour, or leave us.
Sir Luke.
That's right—but don't be too warm
—or if he should be very impertinent, or insolent—(I hear Aurelia's
voice in the next room) call her, and I dare say she'll come and take your
part. [Exit Sir Luke.
[Enter Twineall.]
Twi.
I positively could pass a whole day
upon that stair-case—those reverend faces!—I presume they are the portraits
of some of your Ladyship's illustrious ancestors.
Lady.
Sir! Mr. Twineall—give me leave
to tell you— [In a violent passion.
Twi.
The word illustrious, I find, displeases
you—pardon me—I did not mean to make use of so forcible an epithet—I
know the delicacy of sentiment, which cannot bear the reflection that a
few centuries only shou'd reduce from royalty, one, whose dignified deportment
seems to have been formed for that resplendent station.
Lady.
The man is certainly mad!—Mr.
Twineall—
Twi.
Pardon me, Madam—I own I am an
enthusiast on these occasions—the dignity of blood—
Lady.
You have too much, I am sure—do,
have a little taken from you.
Twi.
Gladly wou'd I lose every drop that
fills these plebeian veins, to be enobled by the smallest—
Lady.
Pray, Sir, take up your abode in
some other place.
Twi.
Madam! [Surprised.
Lady.
Your behaviour, Sir—
Twi.
If my friend had not given me the
hint, damn me if I shou'd not think her down right angry. [Aside.
Lady.
I can scarce contain my rage at being
so laugh'd at. [Aside.
Twi.
I'll mention the wig—this is the
time— [Aside.] Perhaps you may resent it, Madam—but there is
a favour—
Lady.
A favour, Sir! is this a time to
ask a favour?
Twi.
To an admirer of antiquity, as I
am.
Lady.
Antiquity again!
Twi.
I beg pardon—but—a wig,
Ma'am—
Lady.
A what? [Petrified.
Twi.
A wig. [Bowing.
Lady.
Oh! oh! oh! [Choaking.] this
is not to be borne—this is too much—ah! ah! [Sitting down, and going
into fits.] a direct, plain, palpable, and unequivocal attack upon
my family—without evasion or palliative.—I can't bear it any longer.—
Oh! oh!— [Shrieking.
Twi.
Bless my soul, what shall I do? what's
the matter?
Sir Luke. [Without.]
Maids! maids! go to your mistress—that
good-for-nothing fellow is doing her a mischief.
Enter Aurelia.
Aur.
Dear Madam, what is the matter?
[Enter Sir Luke, and stands close to the scenes.]
Lady.
Oh! oh! [Crying.
Sir Luke.
How do you do now, my dear?
Twi.
Upon my word, Sir Luke—
Sir Luke.
O, Sir, no apology—it does not
signify—never mind it—I beg you won't put yourself to the trouble of
an apology—it is of no kind of consequence.
Lady.
What do you mean, Sir Luke?
[Recovered.
Sir Luke.
To shew proper philosophy, my dear,
under the affliction I feel for your distress.
Lady. [To Aurelia.]
Take Twineall out of the room.
Aur.
Mr. Twineall, her Ladyship begs you'll
leave the room, till she is a little recovered.
Twi.
Certainly. [Bows respectfully to her
Ladyship, and exit with Aurelia.
Sir Luke.
I thought what you wou'd get by
quarrelling—fits—and
tears.
Lady.
And you know, Sir Luke, if you had
quarrelled, you wou'd have been in the same situation. [Rising from
her seat.] But, Sir Luke, my dear, Sir Luke, show yourself a man of
courage but on this occasion.—
Sir Luke.
My dear, I wou'd do as much for you
as I wou'd for my own life—but damn me if I think I could fight to save
that.
[Enter Lord Flint.]
Lord.
Lady Tremor, did the servant say
you were very well, or very ill?
Lady.
Oh, my Lord, that insolent coxcomb,
the honourable Mr. Twineall—
Lord.
Oh, I am very glad you put me in
mind of it—I dare say I shou'd have forgot it else, notwithstanding I
came on purpose.
Lady.
Forgot what?
Lord.
A little piece of paper here, [Pulling
out a parchment.] but it will do a great deal—has he offended you?
Lady.
Beyond bearing.
Lord.
I am glad of it, because it gives
double pleasure to my vengeance—he is a disaffected person, Madam—boldly
told me he doubted the Sultan's right to the throne—I have informed against
him, and his punishment is at my option—I may have him imprisoned; shot;
sent to the gallies; or his head cut off—but which does your Ladyship
chuse?—Which ever you please is at your service. [Bowing.
Lady. [Rising and
curtsying.]
O, they are all alike to me; which
ever you please, my Lord.
Sir Luke.
What a deal of ceremony!—how cool
they are about it.
Lord.
And why not cool, Sir; why not
cool?
Sir Luke.
O, very true—I am sure it has froze
me.
Lord.
I will go instantly, for fear it shou'd
slip my memory, and put this paper into the hands of proper officers—in
the mean time, Sir Luke, if you can talk with your visitor, Mr. Twineall,
do—inquire his opinion of the Sultan's rights— ask his thoughts,
as if you were commissioned by me—and, while he is revealing them to
you, the officers shall be in ambush, surprise him in the midst of his sentiments,
and bear him away to— [Twineall looking in.
Twi.
May I presume to inquire how your
Ladyship does?
Lady.
O, yes—and pray walk in—I am
quite recovered.
Lord.
Lady Tremor, I bid you good day for
the present.
Sir Luke. [Following him to the
door.]
Your Lordship won't forget?
Lord.
No—depend upon it, I shall
remember.
Sir Luke.
Yes—and make some other people remember
too. [Exit Lord Flint.
Twi.
Is his Lordship gone? I am very
sorry.
Sir Luke.
No—don't be uneasy, he'll soon
be back.
Enter Haswell.
Sir Luke.
Mr. Haswell, I am glad to see you?
Has.
I told her Ladyship I would call in the
evening, Sir Luke; and so I have kept my word— I wanted too to speak
with my Lord Flint, but he was in such a hurry as he passed me, he wou'd hardly
let me ask him how he did.—I hope your Ladyship is well this afternoon.
[Bows to Twineall—Sir Luke exit at the door to Aurelia
and Elvirus.
Twi.
Pardon me, Mr. Haswell, but I almost
suspect you heard of her Ladyship's indisposition, and therefore paid this
visit; for I am not to learn your care and attention to all under
affliction.
Has. [Bows gravely.]
Has your Ladyship been indisposed
then?
Lady.
A little—but I am much better.
Twi.
Surely, of all virtues, charity is
the first! it so protects our neighbour!
Has.
Do not you think, Sir, patience
frequently
protects him as much?
Twi.
Dear Sir—pity for the poor
miserable—
Has.
Is oftener excited than the poor
and miserable are aware of. [Looking significantly at him.
Sir Luke. [From the room where
Aurelia
and Elvirus
are.]
Nay, Sir, I beg you will walk into
this apartment—Aurelia, introduce the gentleman to Lady Tremor.
Lady.
Who has she with her?
Has.
Aurelia!—O! I have not seen her
I know not when—and besides my acquaintance with her relations in England,
there is a frank simplicity about her that—
Enter Sir Luke, Aurelia, and Elvirus.
Sir Luke.
You shou'd have introduced the gentleman
before—I assure you, Sir, [To Elvirus.] I did not know,
nor shou'd I have known, if I had not accidently come into the room. Haswell
starts, on seeing Elvirus.
Sir Luke. [To Lady
Tremor.]
A relation of Aurelia's—a Mr. Glanmore,
my dear, just arrived from England; who call'd to pass a few minutes with
us, before he sets off to the part of India he is to reside in. [Elvirus
and Aurelia appear in the utmost embarrassment and confusion.
Lady.
I hope, Sir, your stay with us will
not be so short as Sir Luke has mentioned?
Elv.
Pardon me, Madam, it must—the caravan,
with which I travel, goes off this evening, and I must accompany it.
Has. [Aside.]
I doubted before; but the voice confirms
me. [Looking on Elvirus.
Lady.
Why, you only arrived this morning,
did you, Mr. Glanmore? you came passenger in the same ship, then, with
Mr. Twineall?
Twi.
No, Madam—Sir, I am very sorry we
had not the pleasure of your company on board of us. [To Elvirus.
Sir Luke.
You had:—Mr. Glanmore came over in
the Mercury—did not you tell me so, Sir? [Elvirus bows.
Twi.
Bless my soul, Sir! I beg your pardon—
but surely that cannot be—I got acquainted with every soul on board of
us—every creature—all their connections—and I can scarcely suppose
you were of the number.
Sir Luke. [Aside.]
How impertinent he is to this gentleman
too! O! that I had but courage to knock him down.
Elv. [To Twineall.]
Perhaps, Sir—
Aur.
Yes, I dare say, that was the
case.
Twi.
What was the case, Madam?
Sir Luke.
Wha—wha—wha—[Mimicks.]
that is not good breeding.
Has.
Why do you blush, Aurelia?
Aur.
Because [Hesitating.] this
gentleman— came over in the same ship with Mr. Twineall.
Sir Luke.
And I cant't say I wonder at your
blushing.
Twi.
Why then positively, Sir, I thought
I had known every passenger—and surely—
Lady.
Mr. Twineall, your behaviour puts
me out of all patience—did you not hear the gentleman say he came in
the same vessel; and is not that sufficient?
Twi.
Perfectly, Madam—perfectly—but
I thought there might be some mistake.
Elv.
And there is, Sir—you find you
are mistaken.
Lady.
I thought so.—
Has. [To Elvirus.]
And you did come in the same
vessel?
Elv.
Sir, do you doubt it?
Has.
Doubt it?
Elv.
Dare not doubt it.—[Trembling
and confused.
Has.
Dare not?
Elv.
No, Sir, dare not.
[Violently.
Aur.
Oh, heavens!
Sir Luke. [To Aurelia.]
Come, my dear, you and I will get
out of the way. [Retiring with her.
Lady.
O, dear!—for heaven's sake!—Mr.
Twineall, this is your doing.
Twi.
Me, Madam!—
Has.
I beg the company's pardon—but [To
Elvirus.] a single word with you, Sir, if you please.
Lady.
Dear Mr. Haswell—
Has.
Trust my prudence and forbearance, Madam—I
will but speak a word in private to this gentleman.—[Haswell
takes Elvirus down to the bottom of the stage; the rest retire.
Has.
Are you, or are you not, an
impostor?
Elv.
I am—I am—but do not you repeat
my words—Do not you say it. [Threatening.
Has.
What am I to fear?
Elv.
Fear me—I cannot lie with fortitude;
but I can—Beware of me.
Has.
I will beware of you, and so shall
all my friends.
Elv.
Insolent, insulting man.—[With
the utmost contempt.
[Lady Tremor and the rest come down.]
Lady.
Come, come, gentlemen, I hope you
are now perfectly satisfied about this little nonsense.—Let us change
the subject.—Mr. Haswell, have you been successful before the Sultan
for any of those poor prisoners you visited this morning?
Sir Luke.
Aye; Meanright told me he saw you
coming from them with your long cloak; and said he shou'd not have known
you, if somebody had not said it was you.
[Elvirus looks with surprise, confusion, and repentance.]
Lady.
But what success with the Sultan?
Has.
He has granted me the pardon and
freedom of any six I shall present as objects of his mercy.
Lady.
I sincerely rejoice.—Then the youth
and his father, whom you felt so much for, I am sure, will be in the number
of those who share your clemency.
[Haswell makes no reply, and after a pause]—
Elv. [With the most supplicatory
tone and manner.]
Sir—Mr. Haswell—O, heavens!
Sir Luke.
Come, Mr. Haswell, this young man
seems sorry he has offended you—forgive him.
Lady.
Aye, do, Mr. Haswell—are you sorry,
Sir?
Elv.
O! wounded to the heart—and, without
his pardon, see nothing but despair.
Lady.
Good heavens!
Has.
Sir Luke, my Lord Flint told me he
was coming back directly—pray inform him I had business elsewhere, and
cou'd wait no longer. [Exit.
Elv.
O! I'm undone.
Lady.
Follow him, if you have any thing
to say?
Elv.
I dare not—I feel the terror of
his just reproach.
Lady.
Did you know him in England?
Aur.
Dear Madam, will you suffer me to speak
a few words— [Aside to Lady Tremor.
Sir Luke.
Aye; leave her and her relation together,
and let us take a turn in the garden with Mr. Twineall.—I'm afraid his
Lordship will be back before we have drawn him to say more on the subject,
for which he will be arrested.
Lady.
You are right.
Sir Luke.
Mr. Twineall, will you walk this
way?—That young lady and gentleman wish to have a little conversation.
Twi.
O, certainly, Sir Luke, by all means. [Exeunt
Sir Luke and Lady.
[To Elvirus.] I am extremely sorry, Sir, you kept your bed during the voyage: I shou'd else have been most prodigiously happy in such good company. [Exit.
Aur.
Why are you thus agitated? It was
wrong to be so impetuous—but such regret as this—
Elv.
Hear the secret I refused before—my
father is a prisoner for life.
Aur.
Oh, heavens! then Mr. Haswell was
the only man—
Elv.
And he had promised me—promised
me, with benevolence, his patronage—but the disguise he wore when I first
saw him, led me to mistake him now—made me expose my falsehood, my infamy,
and treat his honour'd person with abuse.
Aur.
Aye; let his virtues make you thus
repent; but let them also make you hope forgiveness.
Elv.
Nay, he is just, as well as
compassionate—
and for detected falsehood—
Aur.
You make me tremble.
Elv.
Yet he shall hear my story—I'll
follow him, and obtain his pity, if not his pardon.
Aur.
Nay, supplicate for that too—and
you need not blush, or feel yourself degraded, to kneel to HIM, for he
wou'd scorn the pride that triumphs over the humbled. [Exeunt.
SCENE II.
[The Garden. Enter Sir Luke, Twineall, and Lady Tremor.]
Twi.
Why, really, Sir Luke, as my Lord
has given you charge to sound my principles, I must own they are just such
as I delivered to him.
Sir Luke.
Well, Mr. Twineall, I only wish you
to be a little more clear—we will suppose the present Sultan no
impostor—yet
what pretensions do you think the other family—
Twi.
That I'll make clear to you at once—or
if my reasons are not very clear, they are at least very positive, and
that you know is the same thing.—This family—no—that family—the
family that reigned before this—this came after that—they came before.
Now every one agrees that this family was always—so and
so—[whispering.]
—and that the other was always—so and so— [whispering.]—in
short, every body knows that one of them had always a very suspicious—you
know what—
Sir Luke.
No, I don't.
Twi.
Pshaw—pshaw—every body conjectures
what—and though it was never said in so many words, yet it was always
supposed—and though there never has been any proof, yet there have been
things much more strong—and for that very reason, Sir William—(Sir
Luke, I mean—I beg your pardon)—for that very reason—(I can't think
what made me call you Sir William)—for that very reason—(Oh, I was
thinking of Sir William Tiffany)—for that very reason, say people what
they will—that, that must be their opinion—but then where is the man
who will speak his thoughts freely as I have done?
Enter Guards, who had been listening at a distance during this speech.
Sir Luke. [Starting.]
Bless my soul, gentlemen, you made
my heart jump to my very lips.
Guard. [To Twineall.]
Sir, you are our prisoner, and must
go with us.
Twi.
Gentlemen, you are mistaken—I had
all my clothes made in England, and 'tis impossible the bill can have followed
me already.
Guard.
Your charge, is something against
the state.
Twi.
Against the state?—You are
mistaken—it
cannot be me.
Guard.
No—there is no mistake.—[Pulling
out a paper.]—You are here called Henry Twineall.
Twi.
But if they have left out honourable,
it can't be me—I am the Honourable Henry Twineall.
Sir Luke.
Aye, that you are to prove before
your judges.
Guard.
Yes, Sir—and we are witnesses of
the long speech you have just now been making.
Twi.
And pray, gentlemen, did you know
what I meant by it?
Guard.
Certainly.
Twi.
Why, then, upon my soul, it was more
than I did—I wish I may be sacrificed—
Sir Luke.
Well, well, you are going to be
sacrificed—Don't
be impatient.
Twi.
But, gentlemen—Sir Luke! [The
Guards seize him.
Lady.
Dear Mr. Twineall, I am afraid you
will have occasion for the dignity of all my ancestors to support you under
this trial.
Sir Luke.
And have occasion for all my courage
too.
Twi.
But, Sir—but, gentlemen—
Sir Luke.
Oh! I wou'd not be in your coat, fashionable
as it is, for all the Sultan's dominions. [Exit Sir Luke and Lady—Twineall,
and Guards—separately.
END OF THE FOURTH ACT.
