 | The Hunchback |  |
SCENE I.
—An Apartment in the Earl of Rochdale's.Enter Helen and Fathom.
Fath.
The long and the short of it is this—if she marries
this lord, she'll break her heart! I wish you could see her,
madam. Poor lady!
Helen.
How looks she, prithee?
Fath.
Marry, for all the world like a dripping-wet cambric
handkerchief! She has no colour nor strength in her; and
does nothing but weep—Poor lady!
Helen.
Tell me again what said she to thee?
Fath.
She offered me all she was mistress of, to take the
letter to Master Clifford. She drew her purse from her
pocket—the ring from her finger—she took her very ear-rings
out of her ears—but I was forbidden, and refused. And now
I'm sorry for it! Poor lady!
Helen.
Thou shouldst be sorry. Thou hast a hard heart,
Fathom.
Fath.
I, madam! My heart is as soft as a woman's. You
should have seen me when I came out of her chamber—Poor
lady!
Helen.
Did you cry?
Fath.
No; but I was as near it as possible. I a hard heart!
I would do anything to serve her! Poor sweet lady!
Helen.
Will you take her letter, asks she you again?
Fath.
No—I am forbid.
Helen.
Will you help Master Clifford to an interview with
her?
Fath.
No—Master Walter would find it out.
Helen.
Will you contrive to get me into her chamber?
Fath.
No—You would be sure to bring me into mischief.
Helen.
Go to! You would do nothing to serve her. You a
soft heart! You have no heart at all! You feel not for her!
Fath.
But I tell you I do—and good right I have to feel for
her. I have been in love myself.
Helen.
With your dinner!
Fath.
I would it had been! My pain would soon have been
over, and at little cost. A fortune I squandered upon her!—
trinkets—trimmings—treatings—what swallowed up the
courted her, and a dozen crowns all but one did I disburse for
her in that time! Wasn't I in love? An hostler—a tapster
—and a constable, courted her at the same time; and I
offered to cudgel the whole three of them for her! Wasn't I
in love?
Helen.
You are a valiant man, Fathom.
Fath.
Am not I? Walks not the earth the man I am
afraid of.
Helen.
Fear you not Master Walter?
Fath.
No.
Helen.
You do!
Fath.
I don't!
Helen.
I'll prove it to you. You see him breaking your
young mistress's heart, and have not the manhood to stand
by her.
Fath.
What could I do for her?
Helen.
Let her out of prison. It were the act of a man.
Fath.
That man am I!
Helen.
Well said, brave Fathom!
Fath.
But my place!—
Helen.
I'll provide thee with a better one!
Fath.
'Tis a capital place! So little to do, and so much to
get for't. Six pounds in the year; two suits of livery; shoes
and stockings, and a famous larder! He'd be a bold man that
would put such a place in jeopardy. My place, Madam, my
place!
Helen.
I tell thee I'll provide thee with a better place.
Thou shalt have less to do, and more to get. Now, Fathom,
hast thou courage to stand by thy mistress?
Fath.
I have!
Helen.
That's right.
Fath.
I'll let my lady out.
Enter Master Walter unperceived.
Helen.
That's right. When, Fathom?
Fath.
To-night.
Helen.
She is to be married to-night.
Fath.
This evening then. Master Walter is now in the
library, the key is on the outside, and I'll lock him in.
Helen.
Excellent! You'll do it?
Fath.
Rely upon it. How he'll stare when he finds himself
a prisoner, and my young lady at liberty!
Helen.
Most excellent! You'll be sure to do it?
Fath.
Depend upon me! When Fathom undertakes a thing,
he defies fire and water—
Wal.
[Coming forward.]
Fathom!
Fath.
Sir!
Wal.
Assemble straight the servants.
Fath.
Yes, sir!
Wal.
Mind,
And have them in the hall when I come down.
Yes, sir!
Wal.
And see you do not stir a step
But where I order you.
Fath.
Not an inch, sir!
Wal.
See that you don't—away! So, my fair mistress,
[Fathom goes out.
What's this you have been plotting? An escape
For mistress Julia?
Helen.
I avow it.
Wal.
Do you?
Helen.
Yes; and moreover to your face I tell you,
Most hardly do you use her!
Wal.
Verily!
Helen.
I wonder where's her spirit! Had she mine,
She would not take't so easily. Do you mean
To force this marriage on her?
Wal.
With your leave.
Helen.
You laugh.
Wal.
Without it then. I don't laugh now.
Helen.
If I were she, I'd find a way to escape.
Wal.
What would you do?
Helen.
I'd leap out of the window!
Wal.
Your window should be barr'd.
Helen.
I'd cheat you still!
I'd hang myself ere I'd be forced to marry!
Wal.
Well said! You shall be married, then, to-night.
Helen.
Married to-night!
Wal.
As sure as I have said it.
Helen.
Two words to that. Pray who's to be my bridegroom?
Wal.
A daughter's husband is her father's choice.
Helen.
My father's daughter ne'er shall wed such husband!
Wal.
Indeed!
Helen.
I'll pick a husband for myself.
Wal.
Indeed!
Helen.
Indeed, sir; and indeed again!
Wal.
Go dress you for the marriage ceremony.
Helen.
But, Master Walter, what is it you mean?
Enter Modus.
Wal.
Here comes your cousin;—he shall be your brides man!
The thought's a sudden one,—that will excuse
Defect in your appointments. A plain dress,—
So 'tis of white,—will do.
Helen.
I'll dress in black.
I'll quit the castle.
Wal.
That you shall not do.
Its doors are guarded by my lord's domestics,
Its avenues—its grounds. What you must do,
Do with a good grace! In an hour, or less,
Your father will be here. Make up your mind
Now, [Aside]
if they find not out how beat their hearts,
I have no skill, not I, in feeling pulses.
[Goes out.
Helen.
Why, cousin Modus! What! will you stand by
And see me forced to marry? Cousin Modus!
Have you not got a tongue? Have you not eyes?
Do you not see I'm very—very ill,
And not a chair in all the corridor?
Mod.
I'll find one in the study.
Helen.
Hang the study!
Mod.
My room's at hand. I'll fetch one thence.
Helen.
You shan't!
I'd faint ere you came back!
Mod.
What shall I do?
Helen.
Why don't you offer to support me? Well?
Give me your arm—be quick!
[Modus offers his arm.
Is that the way
To help a lady when she's like to faint?
I'll drop unless you catch me!
[Modus supports her.
That will do.
I'm better now— [Modus offers to leave her]
don't leave me! Is one well
Because one's better? Hold my hand. Keep so.
I'll soon recover, so you move not. Loves he—
[Aside.
Which I'll be sworn he does, he'll own it now.
Well, cousin Modus?
Mod.
Well, sweet cousin!
Helen.
Well?
You heard what Master Walter said?
Mod.
I did.
Helen.
And would you have me marry? Can't you speak?
Say yes or no.
Mod.
No, cousin!
Helen.
Bravely said!
And why, my gallant cousin?
Mod.
Why?
Helen.
Ay, why?—
Women, you know, are fond of reasons—Why
Would you not have me marry? How you blush!
Is it because you do not know the reason?
You mind me of a story of a cousin
Who once her cousin such a question ask'd—
He had not been to college though—for books,
Had pass'd his time in reading ladies' eyes,
Which he could construe marvellously well,
Though writ in language all symbolical.
Thus stood they once together, on a day—
As we stand now—discoursed as we discourse,—
But with this difference,—fifty gentle words
He spoke to her, for one she spoke to him!—
What a dear cousin! Well, as I was saying,
As now I question'd thee, she question'd him.
Sets my heart beating—'Twas so kind a one!
So like a cousin's answer—a dear cousin!
A gentle, honest, gallant, loving cousin!
What did he say?—A man might find it out,
Though never read he Ovid's Art of Love—
What did he say? He'd marry her himself!
How stupid are you, cousin! Let me go!
Mod.
You are not well yet?
Helen.
Yes.
Mod.
I'm sure you're not!
Helen.
I'm sure I am.
Mod.
Nay, let me hold you, cousin!
I like it.
Helen.
Do you? I would wager you
You could not tell me why you like it. Well?
You see how true I know you! How you stare!
What see you in my face to wonder at?
Mod.
A pair of eyes!
Helen.
At last he'll find his tongue—
[Aside.
And saw you ne'er a pair of eyes before?
Mod.
Not such a pair.
Helen.
And why?
Mod.
They are so bright!
You have a Grecian nose.
Helen.
Indeed.
Mod.
Indeed!
Helen.
What kind of mouth have I?
Mod.
A handsome one.
I never saw so sweet a pair of lips!
I ne'er saw lips at all till now, dear cousin!
Helen.
Cousin, I'm well,—You need not hold me now.
Do you not hear? I tell you I am well!
I need your arm no longer—take't away!
So tight it locks me, 'tis with pain I breathe!
Let me go, cousin! Wherefore do you hold
Your face so close to mine? What do you mean?
Mod.
You've question'd me, and now I'll question you.
Helen.
What would you learn?
Mod.
The use of lips.
Helen.
To speak.
Mod.
Nought else?
Helen.
How bold my modest cousin grows!
Why, other use know you?
Mod.
I do!
Helen.
Indeed!
You're wondrous wise? And pray what is it?
Mod.
This!
[Attempts to kiss her.
Helen.
Soft! my hand thanks you, cousin—for my lips
I keep them for a husband!—Nay, stand off!
I'll not be held in manacles again!
Why do you follow me?
I love you, cousin!
'Tis out at last.
[Aside.
Helen.
You love me! Love me, cousin!
O cousin, mean you so! That's passing strange!
Falls out most crossly—is a dire mishap—
A thing to sigh for, weep for, languish for,
And die for!
Mod.
Die for!
Helen.
Yes, with laughter, cousin,
For, cousin, I love you!
Mod.
And you'll be mine?
Helen.
I will.
Mod.
Your hand upon it.
Helen.
Hand and heart.
Hie to thy dressing-room, and I'll to mine—
Attire thee for the altar—so will I.
Whoe'er may claim me, thou'rt the man shall have me.
Away! Despatch! But hark you, ere you go,
Ne'er brag of reading Ovid's Art of Love!
Mod.
And cousin! stop—One little word with you!
[She returns, he snatches a kiss.—They go out severally.
| The Hunchback | |