University of Virginia Library

Scene I.

—A room in Mr. Egerton's house.
[Mr. Egerton, Philip, and Isabella.]
Philip.
Father, what is't o'clock?

Mr. Egerton.
'Tis after nine.

Isabella.
And when does it begin?

Philip.
At ten precisely.
I've not much time to lose. The court will be
Crowded to suffocation.

Isabella.
How I wish
I could be there.

Mr. Egerton.
That's dutiful, when I
Have positively said, you must not go.

Isabella.
Papa, 'tis very natural I should wish
To hear a trial of such interest.
How do you think—will Walter be found guilty?

Philip.
It is the general belief he will.
The case is very strong.

Mr. Egerton.
Not quite so strong:
The evidence is circumstantial only:
None saw him strike the blow; there's none can say
How it was done, or wherefore.

Philip.
'Tis indeed
Mysterious: yet can I discern a way
Thro' which the light breaks in. My testimony,
Back'd by the two domestics of the hall—

Mr. Egerton.
Come, you must not be dallying.

Philip.
I am off,
And you shall hear the news without delay.

[Exit Philip.]
Isabella.
Philip is right: the verdict will be guilty.

Mr. Egerton.
You hope it will, and therefore you believe it.

Isabella.
The magistrates who had the case before them
Believ'd the same as I.

Mr. Egerton.
The magistrates
A very little proof will satisfy:
But jurymen, my child, whose consciences
Are charged to be the final arbiters
Between the culprit and arraigning justice,
Weigh every question in a nicer scale,
Look that each doubt and scruple be removed,
Ere they pronounce the word that must deprive
Their fellow-man of life or liberty.

Isabella.
But here I see not any room for doubt.
Was not the body of Orlando found
Close to the prisoner's house? The men who find it
Go straight to Walter's, see him on the floor
Wounded and stain'd with blood, the dagger near him:
Of all which strange appearances he gave not
One word of explanation.

Mr. Egerton.
That is true.

Isabella.
Then it is shown, he quarrell'd with his master;
High words had pass'd between them at the hall;
Orlando rais'd his hand to strike him once:
He was at Walter's house the night before:
Walter is heard next day to threaten him:
These circumstances all adhere together:
And not another soul was near the spot.

Mr. Egerton.
How if he brings this Edwards whom he named,
To prove that Francis Beaument pass'd the road?

Isabella.
The man forthcomes not, and my brother says,
Tho' Francis had been seen upon the road,
The damning facts 'gainst Walter are the same.

Mr. Egerton.
'Tis pity you are not counsel for the crown,
You argue it so well.

Isabella.
My dear papa,
If you would ask the Beaumonts to your house,
'Twould be but friendly. For our sakes perhaps
They will break thro' the deep seclusion
Which keeps them from society so long.

Mr. Egerton.
For that I much commend them, Isabella;
And for the wise forbearance, which delays
To seize upon their newly-gotten wealth.
I (for they set me here a good example)
Wait for this day's decision, ere I mean
To importune them for their company.

Isabella.
After the trial, then, you will invite them?
Say yes, papa. Yes, yes, I know you will.

[Exit Isabella.]
Mr. Egerton.
'Tis an ill wind, they say, that blows no good.
Orlando Beaumont's death displeases not
My children; nor (I own) much vexes me.
He sought my daughter's hand; the match was one
That prudent fathers like not to refuse;
My daughter with her stubborn will opposed,
And would have thwarted me. Perhaps 'tis well.
Francis and Langley Park for Isabella,
And Clara, nobly portion'd, for my son,
Will meet the approbation of us all.
This Frank, with all his hot-brain'd indiscretion,
Will give his money with a generous hand.
But hold! I count my gains too hastily.
The day, that is to yield that golden harvest,
Hath not yet dawn'd. The trial—who can tell
What it may bring to light? The proofs are many
Against th' accus'd; but yet it will be ask'd,
What reason could he have to kill his master?
And when he charges Francis with the deed,
There will be those who echo him, and say,
Who profits by the deed but Francis Beaumont?
His tale indeed is strange, and unsupported
By either proof or probability.
Had Francis slain his cousin in a duel,
Or in a moment of ungovern'd anger,
I had not wonder'd: he is fierce by nature:
'Twas said, he struck his father, and for that
Was disinherited. But sudden strife
Is out of question here; for how could they
Have met at such an hour and such a place?
'Tis generally thought, and I agree,
The hand that did the bloody deed was Walter's;
Whether the murderous design were his,
Is far more doubtful. I must wait the issue.
He who is careful of the world's regard,
Must often see with eyes of other men,
Hear with their ears, and act upon their judgment,
Or seem to do so. For my children's sake
I must be worldly-wise and circumspect.