 | A Life's Ransom |  |
SCENE III.
A spacious Gothic entrance-hall in Revesdale Castle; a massive staircase leading to apartments; many portraits of the Revesdale family are suspended conspicuously on the wall; cheering and dance music heard without; doors open.Enter Giles, Richard, and Servants.
Giles.
O happy day! You're sure of this good news?
Rich.
Quite sure; my mistress had it in a letter
From some great lord in London—Lord—Lord Norville.
He has pleaded with the king, and made him pay
His debts to our master.
Giles.
Hurrah! [To the rest.]
D'ye hear? Lord Basil
Is rich again; the good old times we knew
Are back once more.
Ser.
Brave news! brave news!
Rich.
Lord Revesdale,
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Would he were here! He's to have Revesdale back.
Our young squire bought it in the hope some chance
Like this might give it to his friend again.
Giles.
He's a true friend, Squire Arthur!
[Peasants laugh and shout without.
Rich.
See, here comes
A holiday group! Our lady has thrown open
The park and house for a festival in honour
Of these blithe tidings; but the night drives in
Our merry-makers.
Enter male and female Peasants, preceded by Alice.
Alice.
[Advancing from the group in great excitement.]
Now, son, who was right?
Said I not Revesdale still was lord of Revesdale?
And now all say it. Strike up, lads and girls!
[Music. A dance.
Giles.
I could shake a leg myself.
[Offers his arm to Alice, who, unable to control herself, joins the dance.
Rich.
[At conclusion of the dance.]
Hold, hold, our lady!
[Felicia, Matthew, and Arthur appear on the staircase. Peasants, &c., range themselves at side.
Join all! Long life to Revesdale and our lady!
Chorus.
[By the group.]
Long live Lord Revesdale and his noble sister!
Giles.
And his honour and Squire Arthur!
Group.
Ay, long life
And happiness to all!
Fel.
Thanks, thanks, good friends!
Let me not check the mirth, for my heart shares it.
[Felicia, Matthew, and Arthur descend the staircase and advance to front; all bow and curtsey, and then retire towards doors.
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[To dancers.]
Well done! Fall to again! [To Felicia.]
I feel
So light, so gay! I never see the young
Glad, but my old heart leaps up wild and full.
I must dance, or sing, or kiss some one; I must!
For fear of accidents, it shall be you.
[Kisses her tenderly.
Fel.
Fie! You, a veteran!
Mat.
Veteran, girl! I'm young.
True youth is like true wine—the longer kept,
The more the spirit of the grape comes out.
Arth.
There wants but one thing to complete our joy—
Basil's return.
Mat.
How, scapegrace? Do you feel
No awe of the man from whom you've stolen his sister?
Fel.
No danger now. The winter that congealed
His love dispelled, 'twill open all its sweets
In Fortune's sunshine. 'Tis not in his heart
To turn from your devotion.
Mat.
What delays him?
'Tis clear he's not with Norville, who despatched
The letter that restored your brother's rights
From London.
Fel.
You speak anxiously.
Mat.
No, no;
There's nought to fear. And yet 'tis true the land
Is rife with plots.
Arth.
I'm glad of it!
Mat.
Hush! Scarce a house
But holds a spy. Hundreds are daily seized
In the name of Order.
Arth.
Order—name abused!
When shall this harassed land know order more?—
The glad obedience freemen pay the laws
That keep them free. Cruelty on the bench,
Fraud in the council, menace everywhere,
The heart denied its commerce with the tongue—
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Strike on a nation's heartstrings with a gauntlet,
And look for music?
Mat.
'Tis said all men's hopes
Are set on Holland; but the cautious prince
Resists entreaty.
Arth.
Till his time be ripe.
[Laughter from the Dancers at back.
Fel.
Leave these grave themes, and list their happy laughter.
[A pause, during which they watch the Dancers.
Reves.
[Without.]
Way, there! My sister! Arthur!
Fel.
Ah, that voice!
[The group divides in consternation. Revesdale rushes in.]
My brother!
[Going to him.
Reves.
Touch me not! No, no embrace.
Hence, Arthur, for your life!
Arth.
Go, friends. [Peasants go out with Alice, Richard, and Giles. Doors are closed.]
Now, Basil?
Reves.
[Aside.]
He is here; in that
Bancroft spoke truth. [To Arthur.]
By what right do you share
One home with her?
Fel.
By the best right—a husband's.
My brother—
Reves.
[Aside.]
Married! That explains the slander.
Married! What depths of horror at that word
Yawn in my path! Fly, Arthur, fly!
Fel.
You speak
In terror, not in wrath.
Reves.
Fly!
Arth.
On this night,
That hails you back to Revesdale—to your Revesdale!
Fel.
Ay, brother, yours. Lord Norville from the king
Has won your rights, and Arthur holds your lands
But to restore them.
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[Aside.]
Restore them! This for me,
Beyond redemption lost! [To Arthur.]
Why do you stand
With that calm brow, when every moment falls
Like a sand from the glass of fate? Fly for your life,
From hence, from England!
Mat.
What do you mean?
Reves.
'Tis known—
His treason, or the deed which the law calls so,
Is known. His foes are mustering, on their way,
Fleet as the wind, stanch as remorse; there's not
To spare a second!
Arth.
If suspicion's roused,
Flight would confirm it. Those who seek my life
May lie in wait at the port. 'Twere wiser far
To stay and front them.
Reves.
Madness! [Kneeling to Arthur.]
On my knees
I do beseech you—
Fel.
Hear him, Arthur; yield,
My heart's beloved!
Arth.
And leave thee?
Fel.
Ay, to save
Thyself—my self, that's wrapped in thine.
Arth.
But, hear me!
Fel.
Hear me! We'll fly together!
Mat.
It must not be.
Arthur was right. Where are the proofs against him?
His deed is known to none save Basil here
And his trusty servants. All's secure; we'll face
This crisis! [To Felicia.]
Courage!
Reves.
[Aside.]
Then I must confess
My baseness. Arthur!
Arth.
Basil, 'tis your zeal
For me provokes these fears. Ah! when most harsh,
I felt that you were still my friend at heart,
My warm, true friend!
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No, listen! If a wretch—
Ah!
[A loud knocking is heard without. Revesdale stands as if tranced in horror. A short interval of silence. Knocking repeated.
Fel.
Husband!
Reves.
To the library. It opens
On the rear of the park—the private path! Escape!
[Drawing his sword and rushing to the door.
I'll guard the door. More strength than's packed in iron
Stiffens this arm! Hence! there's yet time.
[Louder knocking and clamour without.
Arth.
[Seizing Revesdale's arm.]
Resist not!
Your life is perilled now.
Reves.
What bliss if that
Could ransom thine!
[Struggling with Arthur.]
Arth.
Be calm; I must remain.
The doors are burst open, and Bancroft enters, followed by two Officers of the Militia.
Ban.
Disarm that madman!
Reves.
[Officers disarm Revesdale.]
Villain!
Ban.
Arthur Ringwood,
I arrest you for high treason!
Mat.
On whose charge?
Ban.
[Aside to Officers.]
See those men, Hurst and Norris, kept apart,
Then stand in call; quick!
[Two Officers go out.]
Arth.
Still athirst for blood!
Ban.
Is it so strange in a bloodhound? That's the name
You and my lord gave me; the name that crowds
Chorus with yells. When I was so baptized,
You were my sponsors. Giving me the name,
Should I not have the nature? Know, your crime,
If proved, is death.
Mat.
Say, who accuses him?
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My boy is loved of the peasants.
Ban.
No mob escort
Shall see your son to prison; a detachment
Of the king's force is sent for in his honour.
Mat.
I ask for his accuser.
Ban.
Ask my lord.
Arth.
Insolent scoffer!
Fel.
[Crossing to Revesdale, and speaking to him aside.]
Do not heed him, Basil.
Your anguish helps suspicion. It was night
When the fray chanced; none recognised my husband,
Or he had been seized before.
Reves.
'Tis known!
Fel.
To none
But Hurst and Norris, our old faithful followers;
They would not act a baseness which no tongue
Could curse to the full.
Reves.
There was a third—a third
Who knew!
Fel.
Who? If he have betrayed
My noble Arthur, may that solemn justice,
Which, unlike man's, looks to the heart as well
As to the act, judge him!
Reves.
It does, it does!
Fel.
His name? Why droop your head? He cannot be
Your friend. You shudder! Ah, what fearful thoughts
Dart through my brain! Your feud with Arthur, your
Close intercourse with Bancroft, now that look!
No, no—I loathe my mind for the doubt distraction,
Not reason, prompts! Speak, brother, speak in mercy!
This traitor's name?
Reves.
Behold him!
[During the previous dialogue Matthew, Arthur, and Bancroft have approached them.
Arth.
Whom?
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A witness
To your guilt. Here, sirs!
[He goes up the stage and calls in Officers.
Mat.
My son! [To Felicia, who turns to Arthur.]
Away!
Thou hast no part in him! thou art his sister.
Fel.
No!
Arth.
Father!
Mat.
Forgive me, girl!
[Extends his hand to her.
Arth.
Basil, what brought thee
To this abasement?
Reves.
[In a deep whisper.]
Why, my pride, that listened
Unto that demon!
Fel.
[To Arthur.]
Speak no more; let's meet
Our fate in silence.
Arth.
Wife, his wretchedness
Doth outweigh ours. Look on him, and have pity.
Mat.
Pity! he had none.
Arth.
[To Revesdale.]
Say, how wast thou wrought
To this extreme?
Reves.
I deemed by you our house
Had suffered shame.
[Two Officers go out.
Fel.
[With bitter laughter.]
Our house! [Arthur signs to her to be silent.]
If any speak,
I must. Our house! Thy house! Where ranks thy name
In its roll of heroes? [Pointing to portraits.]
See, their pictured forms
Start into life and ask thee! Art thou heir
Of him whose chivalry spared gallant foes?
Thou didst not spare thy friend! Of him whose counsels
Quelled bloody strife 'twixt kingdoms? Thou hast stained
With blood thy hearth! Of him whose tuneful lips
Sang noble deeds? How will this deed of thine
Tell with the minstrels? Rise, ye shapes august,
And with your lips, white more with scorn than death,
Renounce him for your son!
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Come, the king's business must be cared for now.
Those stand without, who, till the troops arrive,
Will be your guard in the castle.
Arth.
I am ready.
Fel.
But not alone. There's yet one comfort, love—
That I can knit my fate so close with thine,
No hand shall rend them. We await our doom.
Ay, ours! If he be guilty, I partake
His glorious crime!
Arth.
Felicia!
Fel.
I concealed him
Within these walls to save his life. I failed,
I triumph now, for I shall share his death!
[Casts herself on Arthur's neck.
Arth.
What hast thou said?
Ban.
I would it were unspoken.
I meant not ill to her; but for this deed
The law exacts its due.
[Goes up and signals. Several Officers enter; at a sign from Officers, Arthur and Felicia, followed by Matthew, go up towards door.]
Conduct them hence.
Reves.
[As if awaking from stupor.]
No, wretch! I'll save them—save—
[Felicia, ascending steps towards door, turns and looks earnestly at Revesdale; all go out but Revesdale, who stands awhile dumb and motionless; then, with a cry, falls prostrate.
| A Life's Ransom | |