University of Virginia Library

SCENE XI.

Walpole, Lucy, Blount, Veasey, Bellair, Mrs Vizard in the background.
BELLAIR
(not seeing Walpole, who is concealed behind the door which he opens, and hurrying to Blount).
Faithless man, canst thou look on my face undismayed?
Nithsdale's letter disclosed, and my friendship betrayed!
What! and here too! Why here?

BLOUNT
(aside).
I shall be the town's scoff.

WALPOLE
(to Bellair and Veasey).
Sirs, methinks that you see not that lady—hats off.
I requested your presence, Sir Sidney Bellair,
To make known what you owe to the friend who stands there.
For that letter disclosed, your harsh language recant—
It's condition your pardon;—full pardon I grant.
He is here—you ask why; 'tis to save you to-night
From degrading your bride by the scandal of flight.
(Drawing him aside.)
Or—hist!—did you intend (whisper close in my ear)
Honest wedlock with one so beneath you I fear?
You of lineage so ancient—

BELLAIR.
Must mean what I say.
Do their ancestors teach the Well-born to betray?

WALPOLE.
Wed her friendless and penniless?

BELLAIR.
Ay.

WALPOLE.
Strange caprice!
Deign to ask, then, from Walpole the hand of his niece.
Should he give his consent, thank the friend you abuse.

BELLAIR
(embracing Blount).
Best and noblest of men, my blind fury excuse!

WALPOLE.
Hark! her father's lost lands may yet serve for her dower.

BELLAIR.
All the earth has no lands worth the bloom of this flower.

LUCY.
Ah! too soon fades the flower.

BELLAIR.
True, I alter the name.
Be my perfect pure chrysolite—ever the same.

WALPOLE.
Hold! I know not a chrysolite from a carbuncle,
(With insinuating blandishment of voice and look.)
But my nephew-in-law should not vote out his uncle.

BELLAIR.
Robert Walpole, at last you have bought me, I fear.

WALPOLE.
Every man has his price. My majority's clear.
If,—
(Crossing quickly to Blount.)
Dear Blount, did your goodness not rank with the best,
What you feel as reproach, you would treat as a jest.
Raise your head—and with me keep a laugh for the ass
Who has never gone out of his wits for a lass:
Live again for your country—reflect on my bill.

BLOUNT
(with emotion, grasping Walpole's hand).
You are generous; I thank you. Vote with you?—I will!

VEASEY.
How dispersed are the clouds seeming lately so sinister!

WALPOLE.
Yes, I think that the glass stands at Fair—for the Minister.

VEASEY.
Ah! what more could you do for the People and Throne?

WALPOLE.
Now I'm safe in my office, I'd leave well alone.