rZ^ NEARLY A TRAGEDY, A COMEDY m FIVE ACTS. BY JAMES McCAKROLL. NEW YORK: JOHN F. TROW & SON, PRINTERS AND BOOKBINDERS, 209 East TwelptjJh^tb^'— NEARLY A TRAGEDY, A COMEDY ra FIVE ACTS. JAMES MoCAEROLL. NEW YORK: JOHN F. TEOW & SON, PRINTERS AND BOOKBINDERS, 209 East Twelfth Street. 1874. -/ OF Co' -^ 5 1874 J^j ^t^"^^ Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By JAMES McCAEROLL, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at "Washington. CHAEACTERS. Sir Reginald Howard, heir to Gray Cliff Manor. Mr. Henry Mortimer, a country gentleman in reduced circumstances, Mr. Stanhope Travers, tutor at the Grange. Mr. Eward Lester, sole executor and manager of the Gray Cliff Estates. Doctor Harley, physician and old family friend of the Howards. Old Capon, landlord of the White Hart Inn. Mike, a confidential Irish servant and man-of -all-work at the White Hart. Tony Lightfoot, valet to Sir Reginald. Dick Whiting, servant to the Mortimers. Alice, daughter and only chUd of Mortimer. Letitia, a London acquaintance of Sir Reginald. Gypsy Meg, a wanderer. Susan, maid to AUce. Tenantry. Villagers and Attendants. Officers of Justice. NEARLY A TRAGEDY. ACT I. Scene I. — The White Hart, a country inn near London. Mike, 'polish- ing a pewter tankard at the door. Capon and Dick Whiting seated in the open air at a table dose hy, each in the act of finishing a mug of ale. Dick. {Laying down his empty flagon. ) I tell ee what, Master Capon, that there ale is as good as ever was brewed in Kent ; and I only wish as that young- gen'leman as teaches at the Grange yonder could be made to taste a little on't now and then, as it would bring the color to his cheek a bit. Capon. {Placing his empty pot on the table also.) True, lad, it is good ale ; but when did you ever taste anything else at the White Hart, where I have lived, man and boy, upward of sixty year, and that I have kept for full forty ? And as for Mr. Travers you speak on, I will say he's a proper gen'leman, and a bravish one, too ; for I seed'n myself leap over the wall out of the wood, when Brown Bess was a runnin' away with Miss Alice, and whip the sweet creetur out of the saddle, as if she was only a baby, instead of a blessed angel of twenty, as she is. Mike. Divil resaive the word of lie in that, Dick ; for I was down there myself jest as she came out of a faint in his arms. And let me tell you, dear, that bright as that pot is {Jioldirig it out admiringly).^ it's only a blacky-moor to the blaze of her eyes when she looked up in his face and began to thank him. Dick. I know some un as would get his back up at that, Mike, if he heerd on't. Mike. {Contemptuously.) Sir Riginald ! Is it that miserable crayt- shure you mane, that, wid all his airs, looks like a hap'orth of soap afther a hard day's washin' ? Be me sowkins, I hope she'll never throw herself away on him, anyway ! Capon. Yes, Mike, that's all very well ; but you know he has got the Hermitage, and every acre belongin' to it, into his clutches in some way or other ! 6 NEARLY A TRAGEDY. Dick, Yes, Master Capon, that's where the shoe pinches. Only for it she wouldn't be long makin' short work on him ; but when the roof over one's head is in danger, and there's not much left in the purse, it's hard to work again wealth and power ; although she never gid'n any en- couragement, so far as I knows on, and she's my foster-sister. Capon. I be main sorry it goes so hard at the Hermitage, Dick ; but what I fear most is, that Sir Reginald doesn't mean fair by the sweet lady. Mike. Of coorse he doesn't, and bad luck to him for that same ; but what can you expect from a bewty that tould Misther Lesther, not long ago, tiiat he'd soon be able to put him neck and crop out of the Manor ? Capon. And all because he wouldn't break a solemn vow made to Sir Arthur, his father, on his dyin' bed, that he'd never advance him a shniin' over his reg'lar allowance, until he was twenty-five, when he was to come into the estates accordin' to the will ; and that he himself would, married or single, live at the Manor and manage all the property just as if it was his own, until the time had run out. Dick. Ay, sure, and well he managed it, too ; for it has near doubled in vallee under him ; although he had often to threaten that he'd put this precious customer out of doors, and not let him enter the Manor again until his twenty-fifth birth-day ; which he could do, accordin' to some papers as Sir Arthur signed. Mike. Begorra, I wish it was him that died in France long ago, m- stead of Misthress Mansfield's little son, that you were spakin' of yesther- day, Misther Capon. Capon. Yes, Mike, Lady Howard, arter the death of Sir Arthur, took this widow to her heart, and when she herself was a dyin', gid her the charge of this Sir Reginald, who was about the age of her own little un, and that she was to bring up accordin' to his rank, so far as his allow- ance went. Dick. And a nice bringin' up she gid'n, although she and Sarah Waters had only him to take care on ; for little Fred, as I heerd they called'n, died a month arter he left England. Mike. Of coorse ! It's always the bad ones that's left to comfort us. Capon. Sartin sure, Mike, I've seed it often. They stayed away un- til he was ten years old, and then brought'n back to torment us, al- though Sir Arthur and my Lady were as noble creeturs as ever broke bread. Dick. Didn't the widow Mansfield soon die arter her return? Capon. Yes. A few weeks arter ; but not afore she got Mr. Lester to make Sarah Waters head-housekeeper, that she has now been at the Manor full fifteen year, Mike. But what about Nancy Evans, that you and the docther was talkin' about the other evenin' ? Capon. Oh ! ay, Nancy was my Lady's foster-sister, and was a nus- NEARLY A TRAGEDY, 7 sin' Sir Reginald at the time of her death. The night afore she died she sent for her, and arter gid'n her enough to put her above work all her days, made her take an oath, privately, that, if possible, she'd never lose sight on him till he comed into his property. Dick. So I've heerd. She thought, arter all, it wasn't wise to leave the care of her only child to one as was no relation, and wanted Nancy, as she knew loved'n, to be about'n till he growed up. Capon. Yes, bub they took'n from her a day or two arter my Lady was bu.ried. So when he and little Fred was tooked abroad, because thej' wouldn't let her go with'n, she left the Manor, and has never been heerd on since. Mike, Well, by the mortial, if they even did lave her go wid them, she'd have more than a fish to fry to take care of that joker, that's as kautankerous as a mule, and as sour as a gallon of vinegar sharpened down to a pint. Dick. That he be ; for everybody, gentle and simple, hates'n ; and besides, it's not long since, as the Lunnon solicitors and Mr, Lester were near gid'n on him a horsewhippin' for what he said about the way they were doin' summat regardin' the estates. Capon. He's a bad un, Dick, and has always keeped bad company. Mike. Yis ! and there's no signs of his improvin' ; for I harde, a night or two ago, that that Gipsy Meg, who wandhered into this place lately, is some sort of a divilish spy of his, and tells him everythin' that's said about him, however the ould witch finds it out. Dick. I heerd summat of that, too, Mike ; and know myself that she's to be found prowlin' about the wood at all hours, with that long gray cloak and red handkercher on her head ; but the worst on it is, they say she owes a grudge to Master Travers as she's goin' to pay ; and if she does, we all know Sir Reginald is at the bottom on it, that hates'n because he has begun a visitin' the Hermitage of late. Mike. Spake of the divil an' he'll appear ; for there's Sir Riginald himself, tyin' his horse up at the gate. {Pausing and looking for a moment. ) Yis ! here he comes, as full of ould Harry as an egg's full of mate ! Enter Sir Reginald, booted and spurred, with a riding wJiip in 7m hand. Dick and Capon aiise as he a^pproaches ; Mike resumes his polishing. Sir Reginald. ( Walking up to Dick, and giving him a sharp cut of the ichip across the shoulders. ) How, now, fellow ! What are you doing here this hour of the morning, instead of being at the Hermitage about your master's or mistress's business ? Dick. {Assuming a menacing attitude. ) No more of that, Sir Reginald, you're not my master or mistress either ! No more of that, or I'll Sir Reginald. {Raising the whip again.) What, sirrah ! Do you threaten ? Be ofE this moment, or I'll troxmce you within an inch of your life ! 8 NEABLY A TRAGEDT. Dick. {Standing his ground witJiout flincJiing.) I'm not so sure of that ! Don't strike again, Sir Reginald ; for I feel myself gettin' a little bit queerish ; and in for a penny, in for a pound, you know ! Sir Reginald. (Taken a little aback ^ and turning to Capon.) Put this fellow off the premises, and never let him set foot on them again, on pain of my displeasure. Remember your lease of the White Hart expires in a few days, and I alone have power to renew it ! Capon. (Boicing.) I know. Sir Reginald; but I have a lease of a little bit of property that I think more on than even this dear, old spot, and that would expire this instant, if I was to turn my back on any honest lad at the biddin' of another — I mean the respect that's accorded to these lew gray han-s by all as knows me. I'm here to make my bread decently, by gentle and simple, and to maintain the character of a true man ; and that I'll do {extending his hand to Dick, tcho shakes it warmly) if there's no other roof to shelter this head but the one as now shines above both on us. Mike. {Flourishing the tankard above his head.) Hurra ! Hurreye ! Hvirroo ! Bad luck to the sich a speech did I ever hear since I was in the Four Coorts ! Oh ! I'd give the world if Miss Alice was here ! Wouldn't she give you as sweet a look as she gave Misther Thravers when she came out of that faint in his arms ! Dick, come in, avick, til] we dhrink his health in a private dhrop that never passed undher the nose of a ganger. {Exeunt Mike and Dick. Sir Reginald. ( With a fierce and diaboUcal leer. ) As you please. Master Capon. But of one thing rest assured, your days at the White Hart are numbered ! Capon. Well, Sir Reginald, that be main hard arter so many years ; but I suppose what must be, must ! In coorse, it will be sad enough to leave what I almost looked upon as my own. I'll miss the early song of the birds in the wood yonder, and the breath of the hawthorn blos- soms in the lane ; but it is better that I should lose everything than the self-respect as sings clearer and smells sweeter than 'em all. Sir Reginald. That's enough! My resolve is fixed ; but what did that fellow of your's mean regarding Miss Mortimer ? Capon. Not much. Sir Reginald. My bro-\\Ta mare runned away with her t'other day, and might have killed her, only the handsome tutor at the Grange, who happened to be readin' in the wood, leaped out before her, at the risk of his life, and arter throwin' the vWld beast completely on her haunches, whipped the sweet lady out of the saddle, as she fainted away in his arms. Sir Reginald. (Aside, scolding deeply). By heavens ! I haven't heard a word of this ; although I know that lackey at the Grange has been at the Hermitage of late. Never fear, I shall look after her nar- rowly, and crush her, never to rise again, if I find she dares to entertain even a friendly feeling for that beggar, who has to depend on Greek and Latin for his breakfast ! {To Capon.) Oh! yes, I remember hearing NEARLY A TRAGEDY. 9 something of it from Miss Mortimer, but she did not seem to set such value on this service as you do. However, I shall speak to her again on the subject, and if this poor devil has been at any trouble I shall see that he is rewarded. In the meantime. Master Capon, you may prepare to bid adieu to the White Hart ! [Exit Sir Reginald. Capon. [Pausing on the threshold while entering the inn^ and looking . round after Sir Reginald. ) Thank God ! I beant worth twenty pound, in the world ! [Exit Capon. Scene II, — Library in the Hermitage. Enter Mortimer and Travers, conversing. They seat themselves near a window opening on the lawn. Travers. Yes, dear sir, as you were observing, there is an apparent lack of genius and solid attainments among large numbers of the aris- tocracy ; but I think you might have added, the upper classes of all countries. Mortimer, Perhaps so ; for the germs of progress and intellectual greatness seem to be thickly and deeply planted only in that wide, mellow furrow that runs between wealth and penury. Travers. Yes, but this does not, I think^ involve necessarily any in- herent barrenness of soil on the part of the two extreme classes, the rich and the poor, to whom you allude. Alice, appearing in the open window^ or glass doorway. Alice. Ah ! Mr. Travers, how do you do ? {Enters the room and ex- tends her hand.) I was on the lawn near the wood when I saw you as- cending the terrace. Travers. Had I observed you, ]\Iiss Mortimer, I should have done myself the pleasure of joining you. {Rising.) Alice, {Turning to Mq-rtim^b..) But have I interrupted you, papa ? You were in conversation. {Takes a chair. Travers resumes his seat.) Mortimer. No, my dear. Mr, Travers was merely making some re- marks upon the different classes of society. Travers. I was simply observing. Miss Mortimer, in relation to the upper, the middle, and the lower classes, that there is no inherent men- tal inferiority or superiority in any one of them beyond another. If the lower classes are not so advanced as the middle, it is because they have time to think with their bone and muscle only ; if the middle classes are more exalted, it is because they are able to use their brains and their fingers alternately, which they are constrained to do in some 10 NEARLY A TRAGEDY. way ; and if the upper classes do not excel these latter again, it is be- cause they are not constrained to either think or work. Alice. A most original and philosophic view of the case, Mr. Travers; and you will, no doubt, say that, under good government, these classes, like the three primal colors in a pencil of white light, may be blended so harmoniously as to be lost in one common radiance. Travers. Very beautifully expressed, Miss Mortimer ; but I fear the millennium you have illustrated so charmingly is not close at hand. Mortimer. And so I fear, too, Mr. Travers. But have you met Sir Reginald Howard since you came among us ? Travers. No. I hear, however, that he is seldom at the Manor. Mortimer. Not often. Mr. Lester, who is lord and master there yet, and he have never pulled well together. But some allowance ought to be made in relation to the follies of the heir to such wealth, who has lived so long in London. Alice. {With earnestness.) Yes, papa; but there is a very great dif- ference between what may properly be termed follies, and deliberate acts of infamy, the offspring of innate depravity. Mortimer. Alice, my dear, your observations may mislead Mr. Trav- ers, coming, as they do, so close on my reference to Sir Reginald. Alice. I should be sorry to do the slightest injustice to any one, papa ! Mortimer. {Changing the conversation.) You lived in London, I hear, before you came to the Grange, Mr. Travers. Does your family reside there ? Travers. Yes, I was engaged in the city for some time ; but of my family, or even my birthi:)lace, I know nothing whatever. Mortimer. {With surprise.) Indeed! Alice. {With interest.) How strange ! Travers. Until recently I supposed I was bom on the Contment, the son of a very learned but poor English clergyma.n who had long resided abroad for the sake of his health ; but who, on the late downfall of Na- poleon, returned to this country, where he died soon after, leaving me, as my only heritage, what is said to be a good classical education, and an attested docu.ment, handed to me in his last moments, setting forth that, when I was about two years old, he found me in charge of a djong man, a suspicious character, who had met with a fatal accident, and who deposed that, two or three days previously, he had been suborned by some unknown party to make away with me ; but that, when he was cariying me off to the wretched hut in which he lay, he had been followed by a woman who seemed to have divined his purpose, and who dissuaded him from committing the crime, agreeing to take me off his hands on the following day, and bear me away where I should never again be heard of. The man breathed his last a few moments after making this declaration ; and as he Kved quite alone and seemed utterly destitute, the clergyman, whose name I bear, took me home with him, awaiting the re- appearance of the woman. She came, and taking down his name, ad- NEARLY A TRAGEDY. 11 dress, and even the place of his birth, promised to return the next day. He never saw her afterwards, and, as he was childless, I became his son ! AIjICE. {Tenderlf/.) FooxchiLdl \^'^l at an escape ! {SniiUngly.) Well, then, Mr. Travers, you may have some of the bluest blood of the land in your veins for aught you know. Travers. Ah ! Miss Mortimer, my birth and slender purse are, I fear, wedded most lawfully ; but this does not trouble me much, for although I am far from despising wealth or station, I think that true nobility may be found outside as well as within their circle. M.OB.Ti'i'i.E.B.. {With generous emotion.) True! Mr. Travers, wealth and station, without innate worth, have no more true value than the mere gaudy trappings of the stage that so often dazzle us ! Alice. Bravo, papa ! Well and nobly said ; but as you have inci- dentally mentioned the stage, doubtless Mr. Travers, duriug his resi- dence in town, saw a good deal of it. Mortimer. Oh ! I see ! You are verging towards a favorite topic of yours, Travers. Yes, Miss Mortimer, I did see something* of it, to the re- moval of some of my prejudices. I had been taught to consider its tendencies injurious, but found the theatre, in even its least exalted as- pect, immeasurably in advance of the street or the gin-shop. Where large numbers of even the lowest classes are drawn together promis- cuously they are more decorous and subject to greater restraints than • if they were scattered through the intemperate and immoral resorts of a town or city in twos and threes, which they should certainly be, were it not for some central point of attraction such as the theatre. Were it not for the stage, there are thousands upon thousands of poor persons to-day that would have no true idea of the costumes, manners, and customs of the past, or of real life in the present day ovitside the con- tracted sphere in which they move. Through its heroes and heroines it fosters, as a general thing, noble aspirations, and seldom represents anything half so bad as may be met in books now found in the hands of countless readers. In fact, great as may be the paiater and the sculptor, their creations, in an educational point of view, fall far short of those of the drama or stage. With them, all action is fixed in one eternal pose. The Christ of Rubens has not yet descended from the Cross, nor have the marble serpents of "The Laocoon " yet strangled the priest of Apollo and his two sons. In varying language, as in life and action, the living, glowing pictures of the stage transcend all mere works of art. And hence we may properly regard it as an abiding source of intelligence and amusement, in whose shining depths we ma}', with advantage, lave, at times, the dusty limbs of labor and of thought. Mortimer. Really, Mr. Travers, you are a most eloquent advocate of the drama ! 12 NEARLY A TRAGEDY. AiiiCE. Yes, papa, and a most just one also ! Mortimer. And a most generous one, if you will, my dear. But is not that a glorious sunset ! {Painting through the window.) Travers. {Rising and ajiproaching the open, casement.) It is truly re- splendent. Is it not, Miss Mortimer ? Alice. {Advaticmg to Travers's side.) It is indeed magnificent ! On the verge of the horizon, what a fairy -land of crimson and purple and gold ! ( WitJi a slight start. ) Oh ! here comes Sir Reginald Howard I He is just at the door. Mortimer. {Aside.) The deuce! Bather awkward! I thought he was in London. Enter Sir Reginald, who, with a deep scowl, on recognizing Alice and Travers standing together., halts for a moment in the doorway. Sir Reginald. {Regaining his composure, advances toicards Miss Wor- iiyiKU with a scarifying leer, and extends his hand.) How do you do. Miss Mortimer ? {Shakes hands. ) Pray excuse my presence at such an inopportune moment ; but the fact is, having just returned from town, I could not deny myself the pleasure of calling at once and paying my respects. Alice. {Quite composedly.) You are very gracious, Sir Reginald. But as to the moment being inopportune, I regard it quite the reverse, as it affords me the pleasure of introducing Mr. Stanhope Travers. {Both are introduced, and boic stiffly ; on which Sir Reginald turns abruptly away and seats himself beside Mr. Mortimer, who seems ill at ease. ) Sir Reginald. {Addressing Mortimer in evident bad humor.) Before leaving for town, sir, I had no opportunity of apprising you «f were heaped with each rare token, And on that spot her apron-strings had broken ! Alice. {Enraptured.) Oh ! dearest, dearest Stanhope, Tm en- chanted. TiiAVERS. ( Continm'ng. ) Be patient ! In this dewy glimpse of Aidenn, In a sweet Httle gypsy of a cot, White as a dove, low-eaved, and woodbine-laden — A sort of thatch-and-stone ' ' Forget-me-not " — There should we make our home. Alice. {Moved to ecstasy.) Cease ! dearest, cease ! Such eloquence and dreams o'erpower my soul ! And more — thou hast reversed ambition's flight. And turned it downwards, till mine eyes have caught The silv'ry down, 'neath its descending wing. From which far softer pillows may be made Than from the harsh ascending upper plumes ! But wheresoe'er thy footsteps soon may lead. Mine shall their faithful shadow ever be. And though I leave thee now, for a brief space, To mingle with the city's busy throng, I leave my heart with thee Travers. Beloved one ! And, in return, fill the sweet void with mine Which, like the dove that left the ark of yore, Has now gone forth, to dwell with me no more ! Alice. Come, let us return to my father. We have yet much to speak of. {Taking Travers' s arm.) Travers. As you will, dearest ! [Exeunt. They enter the Hermitage. Scene IV. — The White Hart. Enter Mike, emerging from the door loith some snares and a rabbit-skin in his hands. Mike. (Holding up the skin and admiring it. ) Oh ! but you were the bevAi^y ! Four pounds and three- quarthers and spatther'd wid fat ! Let me see ! Not countin' hares or parthridges, I think this is ! — No ! — Yis ! — There was seven the week afore last ! and then three times nine is forty-two ! Och ! what am I ravin' about ? Thirty-six, I mane ! Begorra, I was near forgettin' my multiplicashun table ! Howsomever, it's no matther. I had my share of them ; and will give them a partin' salute wid these {shaking the snares)., for I suppose that we'll all soon have to bid good-by to the wood, as well as the White Hart. Enter Dick. Dick. I thought you was talkin' to some one, Mike, for I heerd your voice just now. NEARLY A TRAGEDY. 39 Mike. And so I was, me bouchal ! and to a very great friend of mine, the two first letthers of whose name is Mike O'Grady. Dick. {Pointing to the rabbit-skin.) Was he fat ? Mike. (Holding tip the skin.) It's my belief that it was his fat choked him, instead of the snare ! But what news have you for me ? Dick. Good news, Mike. Miss Alice has got a fine situation in Lon- don, or at least she's sure to get'n ; for a letter has corned, and she's goin' up this evenin' to see about'n. Suky says the letter is very civil, and tells her to call, no matter how late she may get into the city. She will stop at her aunt's, the proud old lady's ; but won't go see her until she knows all about the situation and makes the bargain, for the mas- ter says she'll be again her goin' out as a governess ; and try and per- suade her off it, unless she tells her everything is settled and no backin' out. The Doctor is goin' into the city, and will drive her to the number that's on the letter, somewhere in Clifford street, and but a short dis- tance from her aunt's. But it seems to me as if everybody was a goin' in to-day, for I just heerd that Mr. Lester and Master Travers are a goin'. I suppose JVIr. Lester wants to see the solicitors afore he gives the estates up to Sir Reginald. Enter Capon. Standing in the doorioay. Capon. I heerd what you say regardin' Miss Alice and the rest on 'em, Dick, and suppose this is the beginnia' of the grand break up ! Well, wherever she may go, she has the good-will and the blessin' of old Ned Capon ; for a sweeter creetur doesn't walk in shoe-leather to-day. Mike. {Half seriously .) Be the mortial man! I feel as if I could crunch a pound of cast-steel betune me jaws ! I tell you what ! I have lived here for a good minny years, and feel a little soft about laviu'. What, then, must Misther Capon there feel, who was born be- nathe this very roof, and who lost all that was near and dear to him undher it ? Begorra ! I have a grate noshun, no matther what comes of me, to give the Docthor a job at the Manor, before the goin's on com- minces, near as we're to them ! Dick. There's no use in that, Mike ! It will not make things better. But, as I feel warm and weary and thirsty, let us all go in and try a mug of ale ; for I suppose we shan't be able to take many more together in the White Hart. {Exeunt. Scene V. — Letitia's House., London. A showily furnished a^mrtment in it. Voice. ( Without.) This way, miss ! This way, if you please, while I take your card to my mistress. Enter Alice, in a travelling dress. Alice. ( With surprise and disappointment.) Altogether too showily dressed a servant, I should say ! I trust she does not reflect the taste 40 NEARLY A TRAGEDY. of her mistress in any degree ! (Looking about her uneasily.) But, really, there seems to be a good deal of expensive vulgarity displayed here ! I don't like the place ! The air is oppressive, and I fear I shall never be able to make common cause with those who are content to breathe it habitually. {Takes a seat beside a table U2Jon ic/dch, amongst other things^ there lies a book marked imth a small^ pearl-handled dagger^ vsed as a pasper -knife. Opens the book and reads.) *' The Phantom Highwayman, or the Blood-stained Hand. A Tragedy ! " ( Turns ocer a few leaves and reads again.) " And stabs the false Belinda to the heart ! " ( Wldle replacing the dagger, closing the book, and laying it doion again.) " Angels and ministers of grace defend us ! " The home of the sensational drama also ! Ah ! Mrs. Mayfield {shaking her head and smil- ing languidly)^ I fear our acquaintance will be of but very short dura- tion indeed ! However, we shall see. {Hears sounds of approaching footsteps. ) But here she comes, I presume ! Enter Letitia, extravagantly and gaudily dressed. Letitia. {Advancing familiarly.^ while Alice rises., and extending her hand cm'dially.^ which Alic;e takes coldly. ) Miss Mortimer, let me give you welcome, my dear ! I am glad my note found you so speedily, and that you are now here. It was very kind of you, my dear, to pay such prompt attention to it. Alice. Thauk you, Mrs. Mayfield. As the affair was one of business, I considered it best to dispose of it at once. Letitia. ( Winningly. ) It was very good of you, my dear ; but as you must be slightly fatigued, at least won't you lay your bonnet aside and allow me to offer you a glass of wine before we speak on other mat- ters? Alice. {With growing suspicion.) No, thank you, I am not fatigued in the slightest. I am now on my way to my aunt's, and have only been JTist dropped here to apprise you of my arrival, as you expressed a desire I should do so the moment I reached the city. Letitia. {Eagerly.) And is your carriage waiting, my dear ? Alice. Oh ! no. I came up with a friend of our family ; and have now only a very short distance to walk. Letitia. {With iU-bred persistency.) Then, my dear, let me prevail on you to take even a single sip of wine, as your spirits seem some- what depressed, and as it wiU cheer you while we make arrangements as to salary nnd so forth. Alice. {Immovably and with some disgust.) You really must excuse me, IVIrs. Mayfield. {A new idea striking her.) And you will conceive, readily, that before I can enter into any final arrangement in this mat- ter, I shall first have to consult my aunt. We shall both, however, call upon you in the morning. Letitia. ( With a gesture of impatience and a sudden alteration of voice. ) I should suppose. Miss Mortimer, that there is but very little to NEARLY A TRAGEDY. 41 consult your aunt about in this case. You advertised for a situation as governess in a respectable family, and, I presume, before you did so, you had made up your mind pretty fully to accept the position when it offered. Alice. {Annoyed and slightly alarmed.) Very true, madam, but it may not follow that I shall snatch at the first that happens to be pre- sented for my acceptance ! In the meantime, hovvever {risinxj)., and while thanking you for the preference you have given me, I shall take my leave, and consult with my relative on the subject. Letitia. {Rising also. Aside. ) Yoa are not gone yet, my pretty dear! {To A1.ICE, with feigned carelessness.) Well, Miss Mortimer, I hope I shall have the pleasure of seeing you and your aunt to-morrow. But, before you go, will you allow me to ask you if you know a lady in your village named — named — {Pauses and reflects far an instant. Sud- denly.) Oh ! will you excuse me for a single moment? I have got it on my tablets in the next room. Alice. Certainly ! Letitia. Thank you ! {Aside.) I wish you had tasted that wine ! [Exit Letitia, closing the door behind her. Alice. {Solus.) I have been ill at ease! Yes, and am so still! There is something about this Mrs. Mayfield that I do not like ! Some- thing that excites suspicion and disgust ! Yes, and even creates alarm! I. shall never be tempted to accept any engagement at her hands ! Her dress and manners are not those of a lady ; and every- thing about this place [looking around her) exhales a strange, sickly odor which almost overjiowers me ! But why does she delay ? I am anxious to regain the open air ! How oppressive this apartment is be- coming. I shall open the door and leave it ajar until she returns, so that I may breathe more freely. {A2)proaches the door., but starts in the wildest horror and dismay on finding it securely locked or fastened on the outside. ) Great God 1 I am locked in ! I am lost ! {Flies to the icin- dows, in a state of terrible excitement, but finds them secured with iron bars.) Iron bars ! Help! Help! Oh, God ! I've been betrayed ! Help! Help! {Cries aloud.) Enter Sir Reginald, on tiptoe., through a secret door., toJiich., unjjer- ceived by Alice, ojjens and closes softly beJiind him in the wainscot. Sir Reginald. {^Yith a leer of triumph.) Help is at hand ! (Alice starts at the sound of his voice, and perceives him icith a look of horror and dismay ; while he in feigned astonishment recognizes her., as it were., for the first time. ) What ! Is it you ? Alice. {Fathoming the plot in a moment.) Merciful heaven ! I see it all ! Foul villain ! this is your hellish work ! Help ! Help ! ( Cries aloud. ) Sir Reg. {Advancing stealthily towards her., with a fiendish smile. ) Be reasonable, sweet angel 1 Be reasonable. It is all over with you ! 40 NEARLY A TRAGEDY. I have found you here, and that's all I know about it ! You may cease your cries ! This is the rear of the house ! Alice. ( With frenzied teliemence. ) Miserable dastard ! Is this the means you have taken to gratify your g-rovelling spirit of revenge ? Whatever my fate, swift retribution will overtake you, and consign you to the felon's doom you deserve ! Disgraceful monster ! ( With ineffable scorn and disgnst.) Sir Reg. {Drojyping all disgmse and bounding toicards her.) By heaven ! your doom is sealed, whatever may be mine ! (At the same moment^ Alice, catching a glimpse of the handle of the dagger^ snatches the loeapon from the book and brandishes it above her head just as Sir Reginald is about to lay hold of her.) Alice. {Fiercely.) Back ! dog ! or I'll strike jow. dead at my feet ! (Sir Reginald recoils from the threatened bloic, astounded. Before lie recovers JmyiseJf Alice dai'ts to mie of the windows., breaks a pane of glass with the handle of the dagger .^ and cries anew for help.) Sir Reginald. {Looking hastily about, as if in search of some weapon. ) By heaven ! I must put an end to this ! What a fury ! They'll hear her in the alley ! Curse that dagger >. What noise is that ? {Hearts voices and hurrying footsteps on the stairs.) By the God above me I am foiled ! I must fly ! ( Springs for the secret door ; but before he reaches it Travers, Lester, and the Doctor burst into the apartment. The tico latter dash fonvard to seize him., but., having only got a glimp)se of his back, he disappears through the wainscot without being recognized by them. In the meantime Travers, with extended arms., rushes toicards Alice, who totters towards him.. ) Travers. {Frantically.) Alice! Alice! we but this moment learned, at the solicitors', the character of this house ! Alice. {Dropping the dagger.^ and while falling insensible into his arms. ) I am saved ! (Lester and the Doctor advancing towards Travers, whx) stands supporting Alice in his arms., bending over her. ) Lp:ster. {In a state of great excitement. ) He has escaped, whoever he may be ! Doctor. {Bewildered am,d agitated.) Yes! Through that secret door ! But I think I've seen that figure more than once ere this ! END of act IV. NEARLY A TRAGEDY. 43 ACT Y. Scene I. — Servants' room in the Hermitage. Dick Whiting, with a perplexed exjjression of countenance, standing with one hand in his trousers'' pockety and leaning on a table with the other. Dick. There's summat up ! Master away at daybreak this mornin', with Mr. Lester, as must have come back some time durin' the night ! There's summat up ! Ay, and more than summat ! For Giles Good- win told me but now, as how he met Gypsy Meg and Sarah Waters in the city lately, in Clifford street. There's summat up ! That there be ! Enter Susan. Susan. What's the matter Dick ? The old housekeeper says you have been talking away to yourself for the last ten minutes. Dick. {Brightening up.) Well, Susy dear, I was just thinkin' there's summat up ; for the master has started off in a hurry with Mr. Lester to Lunnon, where Miss Alice, sweet creetur, is, as well as the Doctor and Master Travers, and where Giles Goodwin, as has just told me, met Gypsy Meg and Sarah Waters one arternoon, a few days since. Susy. That does look strange, Dick ; and I hope nothing has happened to my dear mistress, that I have been crying my eyes out about ! But I know there hasn't ; for I heard Mr. Lester telling master in the hall, just as they were starting, that they'd all be back the day after to-morrow, to attend the fete the day following, when Sir Reginald comes into his estates, although, if I was Mss Alice, I wouldn't go a step ! Dick. I know, Susy ; but then, you see, everybody is a goin' to hear what Mr. Lester says, and out of friendship for him only. And besides, I think most on 'em want to listen to the terrible ratin' he is goin' to give Sir Reginald afore he puts'n in possession of the papers. Susy. W^hat are you going to do, Dick, when we all leave the Hermi- tage ? Dick. {Lovingly and manfully .^ Susy, I be young, and have a stout arm, a clear conscience, and a heart as loves you bravely ! I have, be- sides, sweet dear ! eighteen pound five shillin's, without a dirty sixpence in it, as I have saved up for both on us ; and what more does any one want to begin the world on ? Susy. {With hesitation.) Dick, I wonder you think so much of me who worries and plagues you so ! Dick. ( With sudden energy.) Think so much on you ! Look here, Susy ! {Thrusting his hand into his hosom and drawing some things from it, which he places on the table before her.) Them's what I wear next mj heart ! 44 NEAKLY A TRAGEDY. Susy. {TaMng the articles up in the order in iDhich she names them, and mewing each with surprise and emotion. ) Good gracious ! One of my old gloves that I missed nearly a year ago ! {turning to the audience) — a bit of cherry ribbon that 1 thought I lost in the wood last sximmer ! — one of my side-combs ! and half a dozen of my hair-pins tied together ! Ah! Dick. {Tenderly.) Such love as this overpowers me ! I feel 1 am scarcely worthy of it, and that it is now my time to ask you. ( Opening her arms and extending them towards him.) Will you, Dick? {Dick bounds forward., and they embrace affectionately.) Dick. {Joyously.) Susy, you have made a man on me ! I am as strong as a giant ! Susy. {Archly.) Well, if you are, Dick, come and take down that Columbus for me, for I am going to dust the room, and fear that I should find it heavier then ever this morning. Dick, Dear Susy, I'm ready to take'n down if he was a ton weight ! [Exeunt. Scene II. — At the door of the White Hart. Mike and Capon in deep conversation ; Mike gesticulating excitedly. Mike. Blur alive ! And it's marr'ed you say they are, Misther Capon ! Capon. Ay ; sure Mike ! Marr'ed ! She's IVIistress Travers this momin' ! So Dick has told me. Bless her sweet soul ! Mike. Be the powers of pewther ! I'm glad of it! Now, the joker at the Grange will have to mind his P's and Q's or else get his jacket dusted, besides bein' cut clear and clane out ! But wasn't it very suddent ? Capon. It was main sudden ; but, you see. Miss Alice was betrayed into some place in the city as wasn't right ; and thinkin' that her good name might suffer by it, she was breakin' her heart, when Mr. Travers, to show what he thought on't, would marry her on the spot. So Mr. Mortimer was come for post-haste, and gid her away in presence of her aunt, the two solicitors and the Doctor and Mr. Lester, who corned for'n. But they don't want it spread for a day or two, for Mr. Travers still keeps on at the Grange. But I knew summat wonderful had taken place, because Miss Alice didn't take the governess situation, and I never seed her father so cheery for years ! Mike, if I beant mistakin there's been queer goin's on in Lunnon within the last week or so, for I heerd privately, not an hour agone, as Gypsy Meg and Sarah Waters were seed there lately : ay ! lad, and comin' out of the solicitors', too, with the Doctor and Mr, Lester ! Isn't it surprisin' ? NEARLY A TRAGEDY, 45 Mike. Is that all you call it ? Surprisin' ! Why there's nothin' in the Irish Rogues and Rapparies to aquei it ! . Capon. Susy told me as she heerd Master Travers, when he corned home, swearin' vengeance against'n, and that, near as it was to his birthday, he'd gid'n a horsewhippin', and may be get a warrant again'n besides, for summat he did ; although I hear the Doctor and Mr. Lester begs on him to do nothin' to'n until the fete ; which makes me think that, may be, if he has done anythin' serious, they may have a warrant to clap on'n before all the people, with a good trouncm' at its back ! But, whether they clap a warrant on'n or not, no good can come on'n in the end ; for, as I often said, he's a bad'n as ever water wet ! Mike. Oh ! then, sure no one of common sinse ought to attimpt to keep back the batin', whatever they might do wid the warrant; that wouldn't spile for a day or two; for, sure you know as well as I do that a batin' gets stale if it's kept a single hour, not to spake of a couple of days ! But I must go in and get my snares ready; for Dick promised to help me to set them in the wood to-night. Capon. Mike, take my advice and have nothin' more to do with them snares of your'n now; for. recollect, if Sir Reginald gets you into his clutches you won't get out on 'em so easy. Mike. Masther, dear, if I was to swing for it, I'll give them one thrial more, and that will be this very night, wid the help of the Lord and my own exarshuns. But, here's the Docther. [Exit Mike. Enter Doctor Harley, Doctor. Well, Ned, I suppose you've heard the news from Whiting or some of them ! If you have, you must keep it close till to-morrow after- noon. I have just called bo tell you to bring some of the neighbors with you to the fete to-morrow ; for, after all, the people appear un- willing to turn out. Capon. So I have heerd, Doctor, I may get some on 'em to go ; but I know they don't like it; he has been such a precious bad un ! Doctor. Well ! well ! Ned, we all know that ! But it is not out of compliment to him, you know, but to Mr. Lester, whom wc all like ; and, besides, among some other few gentry, the young bride and bridegroom are going, to listen to the drubbing he'll get when Mr. Lester begins to speak, whom I am now just on my way to call upon. Capon. Doctor, its wonderful altogether ! Only think on't, Miss Alice and Master Travers man and wife ! Doctor. It's true, Ned, I was by when the knot was tied. But I must now be off ! Don't fail us to-morrow about eleven. [Exit Doctor. Capon. {Admiringly looking after the Doctor. ) Ay, he's a good'n ! 46 NEARLY A TRAGEDY. But I must now go in and see what they are doin' ; for the nearer I get to leavin' these dear old walls, the more precious they grow in my eyes. {Enters the inn.) Scene JU. — The wood, at dmk. Enter Dick and Mike, approaching each other from oppodte points ; Mike with some rabbit-snares and strong lohipcord across his arm. Dick. Here I be, Mike ! {They shake Jiands.) Be you one on 'em as is swored in ? Mike. Of coorse I am, ma bouchal ! and it's a magisthrate theyll make me yet, instead of a speshul constable, like you are now yourself, to help the two rale ones from the village keep the pace to-morrow, at the gath- erin' over at the Manor ; although the divil resaive the bit of me waa ever able to keep it very well on me own account, lettin' alone that of others. Dick. Yes, they be afeard that this great heir might get down some ragrramuffins from Lunnon to hiss Mr. Lester ; although it would be rather a ticklish job to hiss'n about these parts ! Sir Reginald, I heerd, has been in the Manor a good bit of the day, a gettin' off that great speech of his'n, and throwin' his arms about like a windmill. Mike. Oh ! dear ! I suppose he'll bate Billy Pitt out and out ! But, afther all, Dick, let me tell you that one of these got-off speeches, like a parrot, has no more strinth or heart in it than an ounce of bohay afther the third dhrawin' ! Dick. Are there many swored in besides us, for I haven't heerd ? Mike. 'Faix I b'leeve there is; but the joker at the Manor doesn't know a word of it, for no one about here would tell him or Tony any- thin' — the cutthroats ! {Suddenly seizes Dick by the arm and points to- icards something in the distance.) See! Isn't that the long cloak and red hankercher of Gypsy Meg among the threes j^ondher ? Dick. That it be, sure. Mite! I wonder what she's prowlin' about here now for ? Mike. Nothin' good, I'll warrant you ! She's comin' this way ; let us slip behind this three, and take off our shoes. We'U make less noise when we're settin' the snares ! Dick. No, she beant; she has disappeared again; but as you say, let's take off our shoes and leave them at the root of this tree until we return. ( 'They take off their shoes, and listen from behind the tree far a moment. ) Mike. Softly ! Dick, there's some one comin' up the path on the other side ! Let us lie down ! Maybe its the gamekeeper ! Dick. {Peering through the twilight.) No, it beant ! I see'n! It's Master Travers comin' from the Hermitage and goin to the Grange. NEARLY A TRAGEDY, 47 Don't you hear'n hiimmin' a tune ? Let us be still. I don't want'n to see us. here at this hour ! Mike. Yis, I hear him now. He's happy, Dick ; and what often brakes my heart is, that I didn't finish that fella that took the Limerick girl from me, and ind my days airly like a good minny of my f rinds and family ! (Travers now reaches the point where tliey stand concealed. When close bedde them., still liumming., unconscious of danger., a figure in a long gray cloak and red headdress glides stealthily from avnong the trees behind him, and steals noiselessly after Idm^ with a long knife raised as if ready to strike. Dick and Mike hound forward.^ and are just in time to arrest the murderous stroke ; hut not before a slight flesh-wound is inflicted upon ■ Travers, who turns suddenly rounds and in the surprise and confusion of the moment., heliemng himself to be assailed by three assasins, cries, ^'' Ilelp ! Murder!'''' ichile Dick and Mu^f. seize and overpower the intending assassin and possess themselves of the knife. Mike. Don't be alarmed, Misther Thravers. It's Dick and Mike that's at your bade ! and that has just caught the arm of this she-divil as she was about to lave your noggin' and spoon idle ! But we have nabbed her as nate and as clane as a whissel ! — the gintle and tinder-hearted sowl! Dick. Are ee hurt. Master Travers ? Are ye hurt ? Travers. {Recognizing them botb. while they cling to the prisoner., who struggles to escape from them.') Only a mere scratch, "Whiting! Only a mere scratch, kind friends ! Mike. Glad I'm of it, Misther Thravers ! But hould this knife, if you plaze (hands the knife), for this sweet tulip of a gypsy — this bevvtiful Meg, that I always knew was cut out for the gallis, is gettin' a little throublesome ! Travers. Good friends, you are mistaken ! Whoever this unfortu- nate wretch may be, rely upon it you have "not made Gyi^sy Meg, as she is called, a prisoner ! Examine her features and you will discover that I am correct ! Mike. Oh ! blessed hour ! Did you ever hear the like of that ? Why, look at her ould gray cloak and red handkercher, sir ! Sure, there's no mistakin' her ! But maybe, afther all, you're sayin' no more then the thruth ! Dick. I'll hold her, Mike, while you take a peep at her. {Seizes the 2jrisoner by the arms., and pinions them with his own. ) Mike. Come, young woman, as I hope you'll turn out to bedurin' the operashun at laste, gi' me a kiss, till I see what kind of a mug you've got! {Seizes t7ie prisoner by the head., loho struggles molently to prevent its being raised to expose the features. ) By the powers of pewther ! young or ould, you are no joke any way, to puzzle Mike O'Grady in that style ! But I'd have you know, ma'am, that I came from a counthry that 48 NEARLY A TRAGEDY. never was bet on a kiss any way, no matther in what other respects it may have failed. {Again struggles and succeeds in revealing the pris- oners face, into 'ichicli he fcers earnestly for a moment in the dim tmlight. Suddenly. ) Oh ! be the holy St. Dinnis ! Oh ! Misther Thravers ! Hould on to him, Dick ! Hould on to him ! Be the ghost of a piper ! it's Tony Lig-htfoot ! Travers. I am not at all surprised. I suspected it was some infam- ous agent of that dastardly criminal whose career is about terminated. Dick. Well, dash my buttons ! if you beant in for it this time, Master Lightfoot! Let's bind'n with the snares and whipcord, Mike, before we take'n to the White Hart, where he'll be safe enough till he's under bolts and bars in the village ! Mike. Sartinly, Dick ! as a timperary ofl&cer of jistice I'll help you to spanshel, me boy, and slip a snare over his head too, that "I can dhraw at leisure if he attimpts to cut up any capers ! {They hind him firmly^ while he struggles violently to get out of their dutches.) Travers. As he now seems perfectly secured, my friends, let us move towards the White Hart, where I shall look to this scratch of mine, while some one proceeds for Mr. Lester, who is the only magis- trate close at hand. Tony. {Finding escape noio imjwssible.) I'll confess all, Mr. Travers, if you let me go ! Travers. A full confession may lighten your punishment — may save your life ! but it will never restore you to liberty ! Tony. Then I shall reveal all, this very night ; and if I swing, my dear, kind, good master, who got me in this scrape, and others quite as bad, shall swing with me ! Travers. Are you ready, friends ? Mike. Li rale marchin' ordher, sir ! Dick, the shoes ! Dick. Yes, Mr. Travers, we be ready. (Gets the shoes, etc.) Travers. Then, let us move. [Exeunt. Scene IV. — Apartment in the Manor. Enter Sir Reginald in a state of intense excitement. Sir Reg. {Pacing up and doion.) Fiends and furies! This is dangerous ! Lightfoot in jail on a charge of attempt to murder ! Curse the idiot, and his bit of a flesh-wound ! Why didn't he send the knife home, as in the case of (Pauses.) Well, it will all come right ! He will keep his mouth shut ; for he knows that I alone can help him now, and that, before the day closes, I shall be possessed of wealth enough to force his prison doors, if necessary, and set him at liberty ! But should he peach ! G-ood God ! I must shut out that idea, and look to my coming triumph ! There has been plotting against me ! Lester and that Harley have been riding among some of my principal tenants, NEARLY A TRAGEDY. 49 and, no doubt, prejudicing- tliem against me regarding that Alice case; while this infernal affair will, of course, be laid pretty near my door by them also ! I observe, in addition, that, within the last day or two, some strange influence has been working against me in the village, as many of the inhabitants who were previously polite at least, now turn their heads away when they see me. Ay, and even that Waters, whom, old as she is, I shall bundle out bag- and baggage this afternoon with the rest of them, avoids me altogether of late ! But what care I for any of them ? The hour of my triumph is at hand, when I shall crush every one of them ! I wish my messenger had been allowed to see Lightfoot this morning ; but no matter. He knows on what side his bread is buttered ! In the meantime I shall crush them one and all ! Every soul under this roof shall be turned out of doors ! The Mortimers shall be sent adrift without a shilling in their pocket, or even a hut that they can call their own to shelter them, while they can do nothing in that London affair, as I simply happened to drop in on Miss Alice in one of her haunts, for all I was to know ! That feUow, Capon, goes too. Yes, goes — goes with the rest of them ! But Lester is sole master here until noon, when, I learn, he will call upon me to come forward and relieve him of his trust. Five minutes after the hour, ay, one second, his power ceases ; and I shall be close at hand to cut him short in whatever observations he may be making for the edifica- tion of his special friends who are to assemble at eleven. But I must now away and take another glance at that speech I have to make ; for the hour draws near ! But, fiends and furies ! Lightfoot ! Lightfoot ! [JSxit. Scene V. — In front of the Wdte Hart. Capon, Dick, Mike, and others in a state of joyous excitement. Mike. {&iaJcing hands with everybody^ Oh ! be the mortial ! I'U go out of my siven sinses ! Tony has tould everythin ! Aye, and sworn to it ! And, what's more, it's all found out to be thrue ! The millaynium is comin' ! The millaynium his comin' ! Hurroo! Hurroosh ! (8ings.) Song. One evenin', for divarshun sake, as I roamed out a-ga-lone, I harde a-ga f aymale lady bright o-ga ! makin' her pittish moan. She wrung her hair and tore her hands, and to herself did cry, O-ga ! Jonny-ga jewel don't murther me or else I'll surely-ga die ! {Turning to Dick.) Fella me that in John's Lane, yer sowl ya ! There's music for you, or I'm no botanist ! Oh ! Dick, alannah ! {Extending his hand) lave it here. {They shake hands.) I'm in sich humor, that I could almost lay you dead at me feet ! Dick. ( While Capon and others gesticulate in the background.) Mike, I be almost crazy 1 Beant it a mericle ? 3 50 NEARLY A TRAGEDY. Mike. A mericle is it, you say ! A mericle's only a child to it ! He lias done enough to hang, thransport, dhravr and quarther him, and is sure to spind the night wid Tony ; for Misther Lesther sez there's a -whole ridgniint of "svarrants aginst him, although he doesn't suspict a haporth about it. and vrill only be let into the saycret whin the darbies are slipped on him by the two constables ! And besides, his London . bewty is in jail by this time, too ! ^ Dick. Ay, sure, and the whole on us, includin' Mr. Travers and his sweet wife, will all be there to hear Mr. Lester gid it to'n afore he is arrested. But then. Mike, he'll be so rich now that he'll be able to buy hisself off, no matter what he does I Mike. I know, avick, that money can do a good dale ; but its purty hard to rub out blood wid anythin', as I know well ; for whin a boy of the Cumminses. in the County Tipperary, now minny a year ago, offered thirty shillin's to a widda of the name of Mahar, for the murther of her son Tady, she threw it in his face, and tould him to keep it, if that was all he could do ! Dick. I suppose Master Capon has told ee that Suky and me is a goin' under the one name ptirty soom Mike. {With an air of mdnndidy.) Yis, Dick, he totdd me all about it But I never like to spake of sich things now, bekase it brings back that Limerick girl to me, and the blaggard that bamboozled me out of her ; may bad luck to him every day he sees a pavin' stone ! (Capon admnces to Mike and Dick, ic?dle the others walk and con- terse in the background, sotto voce.) Capon. {To Dick and Mike.) I always said summat bad would come on him. But it's hard to say what he may now manage with a goolden key and lever, lads. And now if he's hanged, which he won't be, I'm sartin. all his fine estates will go to the King, as there beant one in the world as can claim em. so far as I knows on. Mike. Oh I then, the divil may care about the estates, so long as he's laid out in lavendher. But sure we needn't throuble otirselves about that ; for I always knew that the day he died there would be a man hung I Dick. I suspect he'll be for cutting up a main purty caper when they're puttin' the handcuffs on'n. But not a man, wooman, or child in the village or on the estates but will be glad to get rid on'n, he has been such a cruel bad un ! Mike. Well, it's an ill wind that blows nobody good ; for there will be the greatest atin' and dhrinkin' over there that ever was seen in the world, wid which he won't be able to intherf are ; and I'll tell yez both what, that so rejoiced am I wid the way he'll be hobbled, that I'll be carr'ed home this blessed night, although the likes hasn't happened to me since I once took a consolashun thrip to Ballinasloe Fair, whin I lost that Limerick girl, whose sweet face, afther all, is wid me yet whin my eyes are shut ! Ah I Dick, mavoumeen, and you Misther Capon, yez may say ST.ART.Y A TRAGEDY. 51 what yez Kke, bat whin the heart of a poor boy gets a kick, wid mania' in it, from the fat of the girl he lores, if s nerer tiie same 8h^>e aftherward3. From those Hi the Backgeoi31>. Three cheers for Master Cxpaa. ( Tfi.ey di.ef:r^ Dick and Mike joining. ) Capos^. iMf/Kfi.d and ^ratifi^.d.) Thank ee, lads and lanes! Thank ee from my heart I For I suppose it will be a long day afore yoa and me meet at the White Hart again ; altiboiig^ arter all, I beant out on it yet! Dick. Ay, and three cheers for Mx. Mortimer, Mks AUce, Mr. Tra- ▼ers, and the Doctor. (AU ehur.) Mike. Tis. begorra! and three dieersfint.. Mtke mfering off tAe itag^ Scexe VL — T?ie yfanr/r. The fioU door r/pen. Lesteb, itUhpapen in Ms hand, addre^ng frr/m the ^teps a n^imber of hxited vSUigen and UnanU on the lawn. Ladiea and ger^tlernen each sside of Am glTah spy, and boried far jeaa in ti^e depths of a French prison, from wiiicfa ahe has been bat reoentty art free. Sarah Waters— -tiie other person aware of ths heilidi ^oi— de- poses she also would have revealed it loi^ s^o, had she not beiiered that a murder had been committed in coaxnectian with it, winch was calcalated to jeo{)ardize her own safety. When, however, it was de- monstzated lately to her by Xancy Evans, that, through her iute r ven - tion, no Uood had been spilled, she disclosed the whole affair ; corro- borating erezy syllable uttered by Nancy, whran some of yoa wiU 53 NEARLY A TRAGEDY. remember as the foster-sister of the late Lady Howard, and substan- tiating', as does the sworn deposition of Nancy also, the dying disclosure of a gentleman of the highest character and respectability, who, not long since, departed this life a short distance from the city ; so that the identity and history of this person, and, I may add, his crimes also, have now been established before the proper authorities, beyond a shadow of doubt ! {Here the clock in the turret strikis the hour of noon. On the sound of the last stroke^ Sir Reginald, with a vicious leer of triumph., appears in the door-way., but icitlwut receiving the slightest recogni- tion from those on the balcony beside him., or from any one present. Stung by the terrible slight^ a fierce scowl settles on his brow., and he disposes himself to listen for a moment to the thread of Lester's remarks^ who has paused, but who continues after the clock has ceased. ) But, kind friends, the hour I perceive has now arrived when it be- comes my duty to call upon Sir Reginald Howard to come forward and relieve me of what you all know to have been a most painful trust. Be- fore doing so, however, I shall make a few observations relative to the manner in which I have been annoyed and embarrassed in the discharge my onerous duties. {At this point Sir Reginald steps forward, cutting Lester short.) Sir Reg. {Superciliously and authoritatively .) I believe, sir, I am now, ^ at last, lord and master here ! Hand me those papers ! {Extending his ' hand. ) We shall dispense with your explanations, as we shall with your company, as well as with that of your particular friends also ! The papers ! ( Great commotion and covert hissing and hooting on the lawn. ) Lester. {Eyeing him for a moment., and thrusting him back a step, coolly.) Don't anticipate ! Allow me to continue for a few moments ! Sir Reg. {Recovering himself and returning to the charge furiously.) Them papers, I say ! Hand me them papers ! You shall have no op- portunity of traducing my character on my own door-steps, or of pre- judicing the minds of these people in your favor, untU you have iirst rendered an account of your somewhat suspicious stewardship to me ! Lester. {Composedly.) That can be rendered on the spot, and in the presence of all assembled, so far as I now have to deal with you. {Increasing excitement on the laicn. ) Sir Reg. {Stepping closer., and loith wild vehemence.) Them papers ! {Stretches out his hand again. ) Hand me them papers, I say ! Lester. {Calm and collected.) Well, then, as you are so very anxious to clutch these documents, you shall have the full benefit of them at once ! They are, as you will perceive, four in number {counts ihem) ; but these two {selecting them and motioning to the officers of jus- tice., who ascend the steps to where he stands) wOl be quite sufficient for the present ! This one {handing it to one of the officers) is a war- rant for the arrest of Frederick Mansfield, for conspiracy against the NEARLY A TRAGEDY. 53 life of Sir Reginald Howard, resulting in an assault with intent to kill ! This {presenting the other paper to the second officer) has been granted against the same villain, for feloniously betraying into a certain — {here Sir Reginald again interrupts him violently^ hut with some symptoms of vague and increasing alarm.) Sir Reg. {Noid stands beside Mm and the two officers.) What's all this mummery about ? No one has assaulted me ! No one has at- * tempted my life ! although there are some who are bad enough to do it ! Come, sir, no more of this I It is with Sir Reginald Howard you have to deal at the present moment, and not with this Frederick Mans- field, whoever he may be 1 Lester, In that you are mistaken, for I shall deal with the villain Mansfield, first, who, when a child, had been substituted, in France, by his vile mother, for the true heir to these estates, and who now stands before this assemblage in your abhorred and infamous person ! (Excite- ment in the balc&ny and the wildest commotion and demonstrations of joy on the lawn. Mike shaking hands with every one about him., while., on a signal from Lester, the two officers seize Mansfield and handcuff him., before he has recovered from his hm'ror and surprise.) Mansfield. (Suddenly realizing his situation, and struggling vio- lently to extricate himself from the hands of the officers. ) A conspiracy ! A conspiracy to deprive me of my lawful heritage. (Lester ascends to the balcony and ichispers to the Doctor. ) Mike. {8ympathizingly , in a humorous attitude.) Ah! then, blur an turf ! What are you raisin' sich ructions for, Misther Mansfield ? Take it aisy, man ! take it aisy ! Sure, afther all, you were only changed at nurse ! — a thing that happens nearly every day wid us over there in Ireland ! {Merriment and laughter.) Mansp. {Again suddenly hjorr or -stricken. Aside. ) Great God ! ' ' Mans- field ! " " Mansfield ! " This, then, is the secret with which Waters has so often threatened me ; but which I had long believed to be a mere groundless and selfish ruse on her part, for the purpose of keeping her purse well filled ! {Is led up the steps by the officers to the doorway of the Manor, where, with an officer on each side of him, he stands once more, while Lester descends the steps again, amid cheers and joyful exclama- tions. ) Lester. {Restoring silence and order with a wave of his hand.) There is neither conspiracy nor falsehood about it, my friends ! You can all satisfy yourselves, both here or on application to the proper authorities in the city, that the person who has been just handcuffed in your pre- sence as a felon — and who with his accomplice Tony Lightfoot, now in prison, has been guilty of offences the most criminal and heinous — has usurped or assumed the name and rank of the true heir to these estates for upwards of twenty years ! whom the unprincipled mother of this wretch fancied she had consigned securely to an early and bloody grave. But, through the benign interposition of a merciful Providence, 54 NEARLY A TRAGEDY. and the undying love and fidelity of Ms old nurse Nancy Evans, he lives, and stands on English soil to-day ! — a fact established upon the broadest possible basis, and which can be substantiated, to a singular extent, by even your old friend, Dr. Harley himself. {Turning to the Doctor.) {Cheers, and cries of Long, live the irwe Sir Reginald ! Long live Nancy Evans ! Upon which, Nancy divests hersdf of her red head-dress and long cloak, and, throwing them over Capon's arm, stands attired in a modest cap and plain dress. The Doctor ad- vances in the meantime, and takes up a position a step or two above Lester, a little on &ne side.) Doctor. Yes, my friends, it is true ! My memory, and my diary, which I have posted regularly daily for the last thirty years, set forth that, on the same day, and when they were about seventeen or eighteen months old, I vaccinated two children. One was Reginald, the only child of the late Sir Arthur and Lady Howard — the other, the son of a Widow Mansfield, to whose guardianship young Howard was entrusted after her ladyship's death, Sir Arthur having died 'previously, I performed the operation, if I may so term it, on the upper part of the arm of the widow's son, whose name I have entered as Frederick ; but, to gratify a whim of Lady Howard, who did not wish to have any mark in sight on the fair round limb of her little darling, I applied the infection to the under part of his arm, the cicatrice resulting from which I have re- cently found, in this latter place, on the person of the true Sir Reginald ; while I have been enabled to ascertain that the mark resulting from vac- cination is clearly visible on the upper part of the arm of the prisoner, although the under is totally free from any traces of the sort ! (Mansfield with muttered imprecations still stands in the doorway glaring about him like a chained hyena, while the Doctor rejoins his party.) Capon. {Turning to 'Na^cy.) I always said he looked no more like Sir Arthur or my lady than I be ; and, besides, I never could help thinkin' as summat bad would come on him. Nancy. You are right, old friend ! There is not even the most re- mote resemblance between that man and my poor, dear master or mis- tress, now long iu the grave ! Lester. But now, kind friends, as already intimated, the time has fully arrived when it becomes my duty to place these large estates in the possession of their rightful owner, and this I shall proceed to do with supreme pleasure, as he and his lovely and amiable young wife are stand- ing amongst us at the present moment ! But, before doing so, I shall avail myself of the high honor and profound gratification of presenting them to you personally ! ( Cheers. ) {Ascefids the steps and approaches the group, ichere the Doctor stands conversing with Mr. Mortimer, Alice, and her husband. Some ladies and gentlemen throng around him, all speaking together, sotto voce; while Mansfield still stands listening und glaring about him NEARLY A TRAGEDY. 55 ferociously: and cries of ^^Long live Mr. Lester ! " ^''Long live the true Sir Reginald and Lady Ho^oard,^'' ascend from those below : Mike being particularly lively and happy, with a handsome servant girl note hanging on his arm. ) Mike, {Approaching Dick, who stands beside Susan, and giving him a slap on the shoidder.) Dick ! me hayro ! The millaynium is come ! the millaynium is come ! Hurroo! Poor as I am this minnet, I'd give a hundhred pounds of me masther's money if I could only but turn a sum- merset like a showman ! Be the mortial, the heart will fly out of me ! Dick. {Eyeing Mike's conquest wit?i a knoicing smile.) I think the mil- lanium be come, Mike, and that the heart has flied out on you too : but not home to that Limerick lass you're always a talkin' about. Mike. {Taken a little aback.) Limerick lass ! Arrah ! what do you mane ! {Pauses in thought for an instant.) Oh ! sorratake you and your "lass," instead of "girl" — the one I refused, you mane? Well, she thried hard to get me ; but d'ye see, my dear mother, the heavens be her bed, made me take a solemn oath to her, in her last moments, that I'd never marry out of the family, barrin' an English girl ! (Capon and Nancy join them.) Capon. This is a wonderful day, lads and lasses ! and Ned Capon has lived to see it ; and beant out of the White Hart yet ! Dick. It is a wonderful day. Master Capon, and none on us at the Hermitage be in much danger of goin' out either, whoever the new Sir Reginald and lady may be ! Susan. I think you're right, Dick ; and if you are, you'll have a few more opportunities of taking down that heavy Columbus off the mantel- piece for me ! Nancy. {Smilingly.) Yes, good friends ; but I have just learned, that, in a day or two, you intend to begin taking it down in partnership. Mike. {Turning to his coy acquaintance., lovingly.) D'ye hear that, asthore ! and the soft heart within me, like a lump of fresh butther waitin' for the prent ! Lester now takes Travers and Alice by the hand, standing between them, and, followed by Mortimer and the Doctor, commences to descend from the balcony, Mansfield, perceiving how terrible this portion of his retribution, gives a fierce shriek, and is hurried by the tico officers off the stage. The party from the balcony advance, Lester, Alice, and Travers in front., Mortimer, the Doctor, and Capon, on the side qf Alice, and Nancy, Dick, Susan, and Mike, icho has relinquished his com- panion, on the side of Travers. Nancy close to him. As they approach the foot-lights, the villagers and tenantry fall back on either side, with cheers and joyful cries, '■'' It^s Miss Alice!'''' ^'- Ifs Mr. Travers!''^ '-'Long live Lady Mortimer Alice!'''' ''^ Long live the noble Sir Reginald Travers!'" and finally, " Long live the true Sir Reginald and Lady Howard ! " 56 NEABLY A TRAGEDT. Lester. {LooJcing ioioards the tenantry^ etc.^ and turning then^ and howing to the audience idth a face radiant inith sjniles.) And, now, kind friends on all sides, I have the unspeakable happiness of presenting to you, in the person of the recent poor tutor at the Grange, the true heir to the estates of Gray Cliff Manor, which I now formally place in his possession (handing him a sealed package), and with him, his noble and beautiful young bride ! Dear friends, Lady and Sir Reginald Howard ! {Iminense cheering and excitement, ichile Sir Reginald and Alice how to the mllagers and audience, with great cordiality and radiant faces. Lester and Alice nmo retire a step to one side and enter, sotto voce, into conversation with Capon, the Doctor, and Mortijier ; Mike, Dick, Susan, and Nancy, on the side of Sir Reginald, doing the same among themselves, Nancy icithin reach of Sir Reginald. On the , termination of the cheering, and just before Sir Reginald, tcho keeps his position, speaks ; Mike leaiis slightly forward as if to get another view of him and Lady Howard. ) Mike. {Throicing up his arms in the most blank amazement.) Oh ! Be all the saints in the red-letther calandher ! Is it start, starin' mad I am, or can I b'leeve me eyes ! {Turning to Dick.) Dick ! That set- tles me ! We're all changed at nurse ! Sir Reg. ( On quiet being restored, turning alternately to all on the stage and the audience.) Although for some time aware, kind friends, that my birth was involved in mystery, I little thought, until within the last few days, that I should stand before you on the present occasion, the acknowledged son and heir of the late Sir Arthur and Lady Howard. For this I am to thank a protecting Providence, and the undying love and fidelity of my mother's foster-sister, my old nurse, Nancy Evans {turns to Nancy and kisses her in the forehead), who, the day before she had been thrown into prison, had obtained the name and address of a Reverend Gentleman into whose care I had been accidentally thrown, and who proved a kind father to me. On her release from her long years of captivity, she, still true to her love and her vows, took up this clue, and traced me to this place, to which she naturally gravitated, and to which I had been led by a benign and mysterious power ! But, as the dear friend of my father, and the faithful guardian of these estates {turning to Lester and shaking hands icith him), apprised me this morning, that my more intimate acquaintance with you would be best commenced and explanations made at a banquet prepared for us both on the lawn and in the Manor, we shall, with the kind permission of those (bowing to the audience), without whose sanction the viands would be unsavory indeed, now retire, and close, in the midst of good fellowship and good cheer, this long comedy, in which all of us ap- pear to have played some part, and which had been so Nearly a Tragedy. {Iminense cheering and demonstrations of joy. ) NEARLY A TRAGEDY. 57 Tableau. Sir Beg. and Lady H. Nancy ^ Mort. , Sus.^ Doc.^ Dick^ Lester, Mike, Cap. Curtain Fall^ THE END. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS III Hill mil 014 211 927 4 f