Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Carel. They say you have laid out upwards of ten thousand pounds upon it.

Sparr. A strange fellow.

(Aside.)

Carel. I wish you'd take a little more care of the

game.

Sparr. Indeed!

Carel. For as I mean soon to take up my quarters here, for a month or six weeks at least

Sparr. The devil you do!

Carel. Perhaps longer.

Sparr. You mean to stay till you're invited, I presume?

Carel. Oh, no; I've a general invitation already. Sparr. All the world may have invited you, but I'm sure I never did.

Carel. I beg pardon; you, I believe, are the owner of this princely mansion?

Sparr. I am.

Carel. You took it, I understand, under the will of the late Mr. Constant.

Sparr. Right.

Carel. It was entailed, I believe, upon a son of his, who died abroad?

Sparr. In the East Indies.

Carel. You may, perhaps, be able to tell me what's become of his daughter?

Sparr. No, I know nothing about her.

Carel. You were a lucky man, Mr. Sparrow

hawke.

Sparr. Very fortunate, indeed!

Carel. To be preferred before an only daughter.
Sparr. Yes; but my services to the family
Carel. They must have been great, no doubt.
Sparr. Greater than you have any idea of.

Carel. Yes, and they will be greater than you have any idea of yourself.

Sparr. What does he mean? Sir, this is very idle talking, I must insist upon knowing what your business is with me.

Carel. My business?

Sparr. Yes, sir, your business?

"Carel. My business was to rest myself: and now, having done my business, I rise to take my leave. Mr. Sparrowhawke, your servant. I leave you, at present, in quiet possession of your noble mansion: when next we meet, you will know which of us has the best title to inhabit it.

[Exit.

Sparr. Which of us the best right? a most extraordinary fellow.

Rob. Sir.

Robert.

Enter ROBERT.

Sparr. Does any body know that person?

Y

Rob. None of us, sir.

Sparr. Very well, no matter if any body should inquire for me, I am gone to Mr. Justice Fidget's.

Scene, Justice FIDGET'S.

Enter CONSTANT and SUSAN.

[Exeunt.

Sus. Hush, hush, Mr. Constant; for heaven's sake

how did you get in?

Cons. No matter; where's Sophia?

Sus. You've put me into such a fluster.

Cons. Hark!

Sus. My master, as I live; and coming this way too: here's a pretty piece of work.

Cons. What can you do with me ?

Sus. Do with you? Can you leap out of a two pair of stairs window?

Cons. 'Sdeath!

Sus. Not mad enough for that. (Aside.) Here, step into this closet, and keep quiet. (Goes into the closet.) I hadn't time to examine his arm, but he looks very wild about the eyes.

[Exit.

Enter Justice FIDGET and SPARROWHAWKE.

Just. F. Mercy on us! the fellow had certainly an

evil design.

Sparr. I don't know what to think.

Just. F. I do; he's a house-breaker.

We shall all have our throats cut before morning. He'll pay me the next visit; but I'll be prepared for him - I'll certainly be prepared for him.

Sparr. Why, what the devil ails you? An impudent half-witted fellow pays me a strange visit, and you're as much frightened as if the French were landed.

Just. F. French -you are right I did'nt think of that; he's a spy; he went to take an inventory of your effects: what became of him-which way went he?-when-how-where-why

Sparr. Zounds! I've no patience with you. Where's your daughter?

Just. F. I'll send her; I'll go and send her; I'll— don't think he look'd like a spy?

you

Sparr. Where's your daughter?

Just. F. I'll go and send her; and do now, when she comes, don't stand shilly shally, make the most of your time do make the most of your time. Sparr. Let me alone.

Just. F. You know I shall be in an agitation till the affair is settled. Press her home, now do press her home; they're all alike, they only take a little pressing.

Sparr. I beg your pardon, some of them take a great deal.

Just. F. Well, well, I'll go and send her — I'll go and send her; and do make the most of your time. Mercy on us, I shan't sleep till this fellow's taken.

[Aside, and Exit.

Sparr. (solus.) My friend Fidget is like the magnetic needle, he never does any thing but tremble. His daughter's a fine girl though: something mysterious about her, too: she has an uncommon aversion to all kinds of exercise. Ask her to ride, riding doesn't agree with her; to dance-she abhors dancing. I begin to suspect she has clumsy legs, for now I recollect, I could never prevail upon her to let me help her over a style: then she wears her petticoats at least six inches longer than the fashion: something wrong, I'm afraid. But she comes.

Enter SOPHIA.

Soph. I wait on you, sir, in obedience to my father's commands.

Sparr. And why not, loveliest of women, in obedience to your own wishes? Your father has, no doubt, informed you of my proposals; and may I hope that, forgetting your former passion

Soph. I will be sincere, sir: that I once loved Mr.

« AnteriorContinuar »