[SCENE. Louisa's Apartments. Enter Eliza and Lousa.]
Louisa
Edwards in a prison! good Heavens! For what?
Eliza
A black merchant has imprison'd him for debt! And that wretch, the Resident,
won't advance me a shilling to liberate him.
Louisa
What can be done?
Eliza
He has had the cruelty to reproach me with the the affair of Dormer, and thinking
we have given him the five thousand pounds, he pretends this as a punishment
for the extravagance, "as he calls it, of fooling away what wou'd now
have been serviceable."
Louisa
A lucky thought! Let's send to the worthy Northcote; as executor of Clairville's
will, I dare say his goodness will advance us money for Edwards.
Eliza
I have dispatched Jeffreys for him—as I knew you wou'd not deny me what
this detestable Resident has done!
Louisa
NO, my dear Eliza; nor wou'd the noble Sir Thomas Clairville——But
here comes some intelligence.
[Enter Servant.]
Ser.
Mr. Jeffreys desires me to tell you, Madam, that he cou'd not find Mr. Northcote
any were; and as there was no time to be lost, through Caesar's means, he
has procured a black merchant who will lend you any sum; and he's now without
with a large bag of money ready.
Eliza
Bring him in directly.
[Servant re-enters with Mazinghi.]
Eliza
Sir, I shall feel infinitely oblig'd if you can render me this service, you
are inform'd I wish to trouble you about.
Maz.
Iss, Madam; I have bring de money vid me. [Showing the money.]
Eliza
Whatever security you wish, in my power to give you, Sir, I am ready to assure
you of.
Maz.
O, Madam, lady of your great fortune me no fear—His honor de Resident
know me vel—Here is three hundred gold moors—vil dat do?
Eliza
I really confess myself ignorant of the value of your money; it is to release
a worthy young man from prison—"you will oblige me highly in carrying
him the money he may want, and my servant here will accompany you"—his
name is Edwards.
[Mazinghi starts, trembles, lets the money fall, and lifts ups his hands and eyes.]
Eliza
Heavens! What's the matter? Speak! You distract me!
Louisa
[The other side of him.] Oh, tell us! tell us!
Maz.
It is Mazinghi Dowza what arrest him.
[Putting his hand on his bosom.]
Eliza
You arrest him! Heavens, what shall I do now?
Maz. [Takes up the bag of money]
Take de money and release him—me no dare.
Eliza [Taking the money with astonishment]
You arrest him, and give me the money to release him! what mean you?
Maz.
Yes, lady, send it to one of you people—Mr. Norton, he my attorney, manage
all dese tings for me—but you say never me gave you de money—if
you do, me ruin—doe me de black man, lady, me ave heart.
[Puts his hand on his breast, and exit.]
Eliza
Astonishing!
Louisa
He's a charming "black" soul, however! stay! Here comes Northcote—no!
goodness protect us—it is Edwards himself!
Eliza [Meeting him at the door.]
"My" Edwards!
[Enter Edwards.]
Edw.
My dear, my lov'd Eliza! Calm your fear—I am———
Eliza
Oh, what generous angel has releas'd you—I had sent to Northcote—and
he———
Edw.
But he has been before you—the worthy man met me at the prison
door.
Eliza
Heaven shower blessings on his goodness! How kind! How generous!
Edw.
Oh, my love, you know not that man's worth; he is the blessing of all around
himĘ and amongst those benevolent spirits that feel an enthusiasm in softening
the calamities of wretches in a prison, David Northcote stands conspicuous,
by preventing the wretched from entering one.
Louisa
Jeffreys was telling us some noble actions of this worthy man.
Edw.
His whole life, "Louisa," is but a series of them; "and where
others give rupees, he gives thousands."——I find, "Eliza,"
it has been through the Resident and Supple, the merchant arrested me, though
it must not be mention'd, as it would ruin the poor creature if known he had
divulg'd it.
Eliza
Generous creature! then this accounts for the poor black merchant's behavior
to us.
Edw.
To you!
Eliza
Yes, you are as much oblig'd to his generous intentions as you are to Northcote;
and, I doubt not, it is such examples have produced these effects.—But,
oh! I tremble for your safety.
Edw.
I have the most thorough sense of the kind of interest you take in my misfortunes—but,
in this moment of agitation, I am scarce able to express it; but fear not,
my sweet Eliza, Northcote is able to advise and protect you; depend on him,
and rest easy—he imagin'd you might be alarm'd, and begg'd me to escort
you and Louisa to his house—His wife is the worthiest of women and expects
you.
Louisa
Ah! do, dear cousin, let us go; let us throw ourselves into such kind protection
immediately; for here I'm terrified.
Eliza
Willingly; for I know not how it is, but I never feel easy or happy a moment
in this house—but do you go first, and we will meet you there, as we
must pay our compliments first to this Mrs. Tartar—and, besides, we expect
Dormer every minute—I wonder he is not come.
Edw.
I left him dressing—he will conduct you, then, to that house, where peace,
love, and harmony for ever reign; where affluence is made a blessing, and
diffus'd as such to every one who enters——Oh, here is Dormer.—[Enter
Dormer.]—Adieu! I put you both under the soldier's protection.
[Exit Edwards.]
Eliza
Oh, Mr. Dormer, you strange, unkind man you! here have we been waiting, and
have been distress'd and frighten'd out of our wits about Edwards, and you
never came near us—and there I wanted you and your fine sword there,
to have gone and cut this Resident's threat for me.
Dor.
My dear, Miss Moreton, I'm sure you will excuse me, when she knows my heart
wou'd not let me leave Edwards in distress even to wait on her.
Eliza [A glow of joy rising in her
countenance, and giving him her hand.]
Dormer, I cannot thank thee—words won't do!—Happy! happy! Edwards,
in such a friend "as Clairville is."
Dor.
Charming sensibility!—yet happier far in the virtuous affection of such
a woman as his Eliza.
Eliza [Peeping forward at Louisa.]
—Or such a woman as Louisa——hey, Mr. Dormer——hey,
Louisa?
Louisa [Smiling]
My dear, wild girl! with the tears in your eyes, and the smiles on your cheeks!
such lively sensibility and spirits sure never were so sweetly contrasted.
Dor.
Rather say so charmingly blended.
Eliza
"Come, Dormer, tell me"—I suppose my partiality for Edwards
has made a fine feast for scandal here—come, now, be honest, and
tell me what the folks say about it.
Dor.
Why Supple and the women cry shame, and condemn you, whilst all the men adore
you.
Eliza
Oh, I don't doubt Supple's being against me, for I know I am a wild blundering
creature. Right or wrong, if people will make me dispise them, I must tell
them so—and if they will take my good opinion by assault, as you have
done, "Dormer," why I can't conceal it; "however, let him talk—for,
bless'd with the affection of my Edwards, and the friendship of two such men
as yourself, Dormer, and the worthy Northcote, I shall little heed their censures."
"Dor.
You do me too much honor, Madam; Northcote has fortune and power, but I
have only wishes!"
Eliza
"If you were talking to the Resident and Supple, who think all merit
consists in gold moors and lacks of rupees, fortune might be an object, but
to those of hearts and souls, Dormer, it is needless; besides, you can
expect only fortune's frowns, if you continue thus obstinately to turn
your back upon her smiles"——And, indeed, this affair of Sir
Thomas Clairville's must be differently settled.
Dor.
Urge me not, dear Madam, on that point—my honor is reward sufficient.
Eliza
For all that, we intend laying our heads together with Mr. Northcote.
Dor.
Then I must depend upon the charming gentleness of your cousin, to shield
me from your threaten'd machinations, and to promise me she will not vote
against me.
Eliza
Indeed she can promise you no such thing! for I know her heart condemns you,
though she may fear to tell you so.
Louisa [Smiling]
Really, Mr. Dormer, I think you are too scrupulous; and though I should be
sorry to hurt your delicacy, yet you must not be suffered to rise thus above
humanity.
Dor.
Such a flattering condemnation, my dear Madam, from your lips, I wou'd not
exchange for Sir Thomas Clairville's whole estate!
Eliza
Mighty fine! mighty fine! as the old Resident says—But, upon my word,
we are absolutely rude to Mrs. Northcote.
[Enter Servant.]
Ser.
Madam, the Resident is coming up to wait on you.
Eliza
Is he without?
Ser.
"No, Madam; but" his carriage is driving up.
Eliza
I suppose he's coming post, about Edwards.
Louisa
And, if you'll permit me, I'll retire till he's gone, for I suppose his business
now is principally with you.
Eliza
Oh, you have a mind for a tête-à-tête with Mr.
Dormer, I see——it's well for you my heart's pre-engag'd, for he
is a most dangerous creature——Poor Louisa, ha! ha!—But hush!
here comes the old tyrant, puffing and blowing—so, away with you. [Exeunt
Louisa and Dormer.]
[Enter the Resident at the other Door.]
Res.
So, Madam, you have contriv'd to release this beggarly Edwards, I find! and,
if I don't prevent it, I suppose intend throwing away yourself and fortune
upon him into the bargain?
Eliza
I certainly came out to India with no other intention, Sir,—"not
to sacrifice my youth and peace of mind for pearls and grandeur, but to seek
and reward a generous lover."
Res.
Mighty fine, Madam! mighty fine—but I had too great a regard for your
father to see his fortune thrown away upon such a fellow! and must prevent
it.
Eliza
But you would literally marry me yourself, Sir, ha! ha!—I
humbly thank you, Sir; [curtseying] but I have too much regard for
my good father's daughter, not to prevent also such a preposterous union.
Res.
Preposterous! Madam, I know not what you mean—I'm sure there's
not a lady here who don't envy you the preference I have ridiculously given
you—There's Mrs. Tartar and Miss Bronze—
Eliza
And Mrs. Garnish and Mrs. Gobble, ha! ha! ha!——ridiculous "indeed,
Sir, to imagine a woman of youth and fortune wou'd sacrifice herself for a
paltry ambition she despises."——I—I declare I wou'd as
soon marry Tippoo Saib.
Res.
Very Pretty, Madam—very pretty—but, I fancy, when you find I won't
consent to your having any body else——
Eliza
That I'll consent to have you, ha! ha! ha!—No. Resident, from
the strange clause in my father's will, I was oblig'd to come to India for
my fortune, or have forfeited it—but I don't remember a word in it about
being obliged to marry the executor.
Res.
If your poor father, Madam, was alive to witness, this and to such a friend
as I was always to him——
Eliza [Holding out her hand to him.]
Resident, don't mistake me—I honor you, as a friend of my father's—your
kindness to him first help'd to raise his fortune—an obligation once
conferr'd, in my opinion, can never be cancell'd—"Therefore,
however your future conduct may distress my heart, you shall find it still
remain grateful for those kindnesses you have once conferr'd."
Res.
Why, now, that's pretty of you—now that's kind—I love you for that—upon
my soul, Eliza, you—you might make what you wou'd of me.
Eliza
I don't want to make any thing of you, Sir.—This man has absolutely a
goodness of heart at the bottom, only he knows nothing of the matter.—[Aside.]—My
good Sir, I wou'd wish to make you my friend, as well as my deceas'd
father's.
Res.
Why so I am, and therefore, Eliza, must prevent your throwing yourself away
upon this Edwards.
Eliza
Do not let the love of riches, Sir, shut your heart to every generous feeling—it
is for my sake alone Edwards is thus distress'd—we have been acquainted
some years—his father is proud, rich Baronet, who yet preferr'd sending
his son a wanderer abroad, to prevent his marrying a poor destitute (as he
thought me) at home.—O, Sir, think of this—and shall I now desert
him?
Res.
Why—why, to be sure, if he's a great man's son, and you are likely to
be a lady—why, I can't say, to be sure you——but still, Eliza,
your father always intended you for me.
"Eliza
I am very much oblig'd to my father, Sir; but thus stands the case—I
am the mistress of my own actions, if you will not sanction them with your
approbation, Sir, I am sorry for it; but as you have no right to control them,
I must beg you not to attempt it."
[Enter Louisa.]
Res.
And here is Louisa too, "is mistress of her own actions," I suppose,
"and, I find," is going to throw herself away upon that Dormer.
Louisa
Sir, you surprise me—why he has never hinted a thought—Upon my word,
Sir, this is so——I came to tell you that the carriage waits, Eliza.
Res.
What! you are going to Northcote's to dinner, I find; where, I suppose, I
shall be cut and carv'd up for your entertainment very prettily.
Eliza
"Indeed, Sir, you must know Mr. Northcote disdains to say that behind
any one's back wou'd wound their feelings to hear repeated."—Ah,
Sir, were you acquainted with Mr. Northcote more, and Supple less,
you wou'd feel yourself happier, and find yourself more respected—Good
morning, Sir;—we must just pay our respects to Mrs. Tartar before we
go.
Res.
"Ay, ay, pray do—give my compliments to her, and tell her I cou'd
not stay, for I'm not in a humour to pay respects to her, I tell you honestly."—[Exeunt
Eliza and Louisa.]——Upon my soul I believe Eliza
is right—for that damn'd Supple grows so arrogant and self sufficient
that, lately, instead of being my dependant, egad, he is my master——and,
I don't know, as to Eliza——hang it—to lose her myself, and
be oblig'd to give her to another—oh! damn it, that's too much—that's
too much—and yet there's something so bewitching in the gipsey, that,
if she sets about it, I believe she could persuade me to anything; for though
she has a devilish deal of spirit, yet it's so unlike that damn'd Madam Tartar's,
that I can't help loving her for it. [Exit.]
END OF ACT IV
