FullReads

MISS P.–Oh! [screams.] No, n–no, sir. You are mistaken: my name is Prior. I–never was at the “Coburg Theatre.” I–

K. [seizing her hand].–No, you don’t, though! What! don’t you remember well that little hand slapping this face? which nature hadn’t then adorned with whiskers, by gad! You pretend you have forgotten little Foxbury, whom Charley Calverley used to come after, and who used to drive to the “Coburg” every night in her brougham. How did you know it was the “Coburg?” That IS a good one! HAD you there, I think.

MISS P.–Sir, in the name of heaven, pity me! I have to keep my mother and my sisters and my brothers. When–when you saw me, we were in great poverty; and almost all the wretched earnings I made at that time were given to my poor father then lying in the Queen’s Bench hard by. You know there was nothing against my character–you know there was not. Ask Captain Touchit whether I was not a good girl. It was he who brought me to this house.

K.–Touchit! the old villain!

MISS P.–I had your sister’s confidence. I tended her abroad on her death-bed. I have brought up your nephew and niece. Ask any one if I have not been honest? As a man, as a gentleman, I entreat you to keep my secret! I implore you for the sake of my poor mother and her children! [kneeling.]

K.–By Jove! how handsome you are! How crying becomes your eyes! Get up; get up. Of course I’ll keep your secret, but–

MISS P.–Ah! ah! [She screams as he tries to embrace her. HOWELL rushes in.]

HOWELL.–Hands off, you little villain! Stir a step and I’ll kill you, if you were a regiment of captains! What! insult this lady who kept watch at your sister’s death-bed and has took charge of her children! Don’t be frightened, Miss Prior. Julia–dear, dear Julia–I’m by you. If the scoundrel touches you, I’ll kill him. I–I love you–there–it’s here–love you madly–with all my ‘art–my a-heart!

MISS P.–Howell–for heaven’s sake, Howell!

K.–Pooh–ooh! [bursting with laughter]. Here’s a novel, by jingo! Here’s John in love with the governess. Fond of plush, Miss Pemberton–ey? Gad, it’s the best thing I ever knew. Saved a good bit, ey, Jeames? Take a public-house? By Jove! I’ll buy my beer there.

JOHN.–Owe for it, you mean. I don’t think your tradesmen profit much by your custom, ex-Cornet Kicklebury.

K.–By Jove! I’ll do for you, you villain!

JOHN.–No, not that way, Captain. [Struggles with and throws him.]

K. [screams.]–Hallo, Bulkeley! [Bulkeley is seen strolling in the garden.]

Enter BULKELEY.

BULKELEY.–What is it, sir?

K.–Take this confounded villain off me, and pitch him into the Thames–do you hear?

JOHN.–Come here, and I’ll break every bone in your hulking body. [To BULKELEY.]

BULKELEY.–Come, come! whathever his hall this year row about?

MISS P.–For heaven’s sake don’t strike that poor man.

BULKELEY.–YOU be quiet. What’s he a-hittin’ about my master for?

JOHN.–Take off your hat, sir, when you speak to a lady. [Takes up a poker.] And now come on, both of you, cowards! [Rushes at BULKELEY and knocks his hat off his head.]

BULKELEY [stepping back].–If you’ll put down that there poker, you know, then I’ll pitch into you fast enough. But that there poker ain’t fair, you know.

K.–You villain! of course you will leave this house. And, Miss Prior, I think you understand that you will go too. I don’t think my niece wants to learn DANCIN’, you understand. Good-by. Here, Bulkeley! [Gets behind footman and exit.]

MISS P.–Do you know the meaning of that threat, Mr. Howell?

JOHN.–Yes, Miss Prior.

MISS P.–I was a dancer once, for three months, four years ago, when my poor father was in prison.

JOHN.–Yes, Miss Prior, I knew it. And I saw you a many times.

MISS P.–And you kept my secret?

JOHN.–Yes, Ju–Jul–Miss Prior.

MISS P.–Thank you, and God bless you, John Howell. There, there. You mustn’t! indeed you mustn’t!

JOHN.–You don’t remember the printer’s boy who used to come to Mr. O’Reilly, and sit in your ‘all in Bury Street, Miss Prior? I was that boy. I was a country-bred boy–that is if you call Putney country, and Wimbledon Common and that. I served the Milliken family seven year. I went with Master Horace to college, and then I revolted against service, and I thought I’d be a man and turn printer like Doctor Frankling. And I got in an office: and I went with proofs to Mr. O’Reilly, and I saw you. And though I might have been in love with somebody else before I did–yet it was all hup when I saw you.