The Stranger | Page 5

even take my thanks. He was gone before I could
speak.
Fra. Just his way.
Tob. Now, I'll go as quick as these old legs will bear me. What a
delightful errand! I go to release my Robert! How the lad will rejoice!
There is a girl too, in the village, that will rejoice with him. O
Providence, how good art thou! Years of distress never can efface the
recollection of former happiness; but one joyful moment drives from
the memory an age of misery. [Exit.
Fra. [Looks after him.] Why am I not wealthy? 'Sdeath! why am I not a
prince! I never thought myself envious; but I feel I am. Yes, I must

envy those who, with the will, have the power to do good. [Exit.
SCENE II.
An Antichamber in Wintersen Castle.
Enter SUSAN, meeting Footmen with table and chairs.
Susan. Why, George! Harry! where have you been loitering? Put down
these things. Mrs. Haller has been calling for you this half hour.
Geo. Well, here I am then. What does she want with me?
Susan. That she will tell you herself. Here she comes.
Enter MRS. HALLER, (with a letter, a MAID following.
Mrs. H. Very well; if those things are done, let the drawing room be
made ready immediately.--[Exit MAIDS.] And, George, run
immediately into the park, and tell Mr. Solomon I wish to speak with
him. [Exit FOOTMAN.] I cannot understand this. I do not learn whether
their coming to this place be but the whim of a moment, or a plan for a
longer stay: if the latter, farewell, solitude! farewell,
study!--farewell!--Yes, I must make room for gaiety, and mere frivolity.
Yet could I willingly submit to all; but, should the Countess give me
new proofs of her attachment, perhaps of her respect, Oh! how will my
conscience upbraid me! Or--I shudder at the thought! if this seat be
visited by company, and chance should conduct hither any of my
former acquaintance--Alas! alas! how wretched is the being who fears
the sight of any one fellow-creature! But, oh! superior misery! to dread
still more the presence of a former friend!--Who's there?
Enter PETER.
Pet. Nobody. It's only me.
Mrs. H. So soon returned?
Pet. Sharp lad, a'n't I? On the road I've had a bit of talk too, and--

Mrs. H. But you have observed my directions!
Pet. Oh, yes, yes:--I told old Tobias as how he would never know as
long as he lived that the money came from you.
Mrs. H. You found him quite recovered, I hope?
Pet. Ay, sure did I. He's coming out to-day for the first time.
Mrs. H. I rejoice to hear it.
Pet. He said that he was obliged to you for all; and before dinner would
crawl up to thank you.
Mrs. H. Good Peter, do me another service.
Pet. Ay, a hundred, if you'll only let me have a good long stare at you.
Mrs. H. With all my heart! Observe when old Tobias comes, and send
him away. Tell him I am busy, or asleep, or unwell, or what you please.
Pet. I will, I will.
Sol. [Without.] There, there, go to the post-office.
Mrs. H. Oh! here comes Mr. Solomon.
Pet. What! Father?--Ay, so there is. Father's a main clever man: he
knows what's going on all over the world.
Mrs. H. No wonder; for you know he receives as many letters as a
prime minister and all his secretaries.
Enter SOLOMON.
Sol. Good morning, good morning to you, Mrs. Haller. It gives me
infinite pleasure to see you look so charmingly well. You have had the
goodness to send for your humble servant. Any news from the Great
City? There are very weighty matters in agitation. I have my letters too.

Mrs. H. [Smiling.] I think, Mr. Solomon, you must correspond with the
four quarters of the globe.
Sol. Beg pardon, not with the whole world, Mrs. Haller: but
[Consequentially.] to be sure I have correspondents, on whom I can
rely, in the chief cities of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.
Mrs. H. And yet I have my doubts whether you know what is to happen
this very day at this very place.
Sol. At this very place! Nothing material. We meant to have sown a
little barley to-day, but the ground is too dry; and the sheep-shearing is
not to be till to-morrow.
Pet. No, nor the bull-baiting till--
Sol. Hold your tongue, blockhead! Get about your business.
Pet. Blockhead! There again! I suppose I'm not to open my mouth. [To
MRS. HALLER.] Good bye! [Exit.
Mrs. H. The Count will be here to-day.
Sol. How! What!
Mrs. H. With his lady, and his brother-in-law, Baron Steinfort.
Sol. My letters say nothing of this. You are laughing at your humble
servant.
Mrs.