The Stranger | Page 9

married?
Mrs. H. [Suddenly sinking from her cheerful raillery into mournful
gloom.] I have been married, my lord.
Bar. [Whose enquiries evince his curiosity, yet are restrained within the
bounds of the nicest respect.] A widow, then?
Mrs. H. I beseech you--There are strings in the human heart, which
touched, will sometimes utter dreadful discord--I beseech you--
Bar. I understand you. I see you know how to conceal every thing
except your perfections.
Mrs. H. My perfections, alas!--[Rural music without.] But I hear the
happy tenantry announce the Count's arrival. Your pardon, my lord; I
must attend them. [Exit.
Bar. Excellent creature!--What is she, and what can be her history? I
must seek my sister instantly. How strong and how sudden is the
interest I feel for her! But it is a feeling I ought to check. And yet, why
so? Whatever are the emotions she has inspired, I am sure they arise
from the perfections of her mind: and never shall they be met with

unworthiness in mine. [Exit.

SCENE II.
The Lawn.
SOLOMON and PETER are discovered arranging the
TENANTRY.--Rural music.
Enter COUNT and COUNTESS WINTERSEN, (the latter leading her
Child,) the BARON, MRS. HALLER, CHARLOTTE, and SERVANTS
following.
Sol. Welcome, ten thousand welcomes, your Excellencies. Some little
preparation made for welcome too. But that will be seen anon.
Count. Well! here we are! Heaven bless our advance and retreat! Mrs.
Haller, I bring you an invalid, who in future will swear to no flag but
yours.
Mrs. H. Mine flies for retreat and rural happiness.
Count. But not without retreating graces, and retiring cupids too.
Countess. [Who has in the mean time kindly embraced MRS. HALLER,
and by her been welcomed to Wintersen.] My dear Count, you forget
that I am present.
Count. Why, in the name of chivalry, how can I do less than your
gallant brother, the Baron? who has been so kind as nearly to kill my
four greys, in order to be here five minutes before me.
Bar. Had I known all the charms of this place, you should have said so
with justice.
Countess. Don't you think William much grown?

Mrs. H. The sweet boy!
[Stoops to kiss him, and deep melancholy overshadows her
countenance.
Count. Well, Solomon, you've provided a good dinner?
Sol. As good as haste would allow, please your Right Honourable
Excellency!
Pet. Yes, as good as-- [COUNT goes aside with SOLOMON and
PETER.
Bar. Tell me, I conjure you, sister, what jewel you have thus buried in
the country?
Countess. Ha! ha! ha! What, brother, you caught at last?
Bar. Answer me.
Countess. Well, her name is Mrs. Haller.
Bar. That I know; but--
Countess. But!--but I know no more myself.
Bar. Jesting apart, I wish to know.
Countess. And, jesting apart, I wish you would not plague me. I have at
least a hundred thousand important things to do. Heavens! the vicar
may come to pay his respects to me before I have been at my toilet; of
course I must consult my looking-glass on the occasion. Come,
William, will you help to dress me, or stay with your father?
Count. We'll take care of him.
Countess. Come, Mrs. Haller.
[Exit with MRS. HALLER, CHARLOTTE following.

Bar. [Aside, and going.] I am in a very singular humour.
Count. Whither so fast, good brother?
Bar. To my apartment: I have letters to--I--
Count. Pshaw! stay. Let us take a turn in the park together.
Bar. Excuse me. I am not perfectly well. I should be but bad company.
I-- [Exit.--The TENANTRY retire.
Count. Well, Solomon, you are as great a fool as ever, I see.
Sol. Ha! ha! At your Right Honourable Excellency's service.
Count. [Points to PETER.] Who is that ape in the corner?
Sol. Ape!--Oh! that is--with respect to your Excellency be it
spoken--the son of my body; by name, Peter. [PETER bows.
Count. So, so! Well, how goes all on?
Sol. Well and good; well and good. Your Excellency will see how I've
improved the park: You'll not know it again. A hermitage here;
serpentine walks there; an obelisk; a ruin; and all so sparingly, all done
with the most economical economy.
Count. Well, I'll have a peep at your obelisk and ruins, while they
prepare for dinner!
Sol. I have already ordered it, and will have the honour of attending
your Right Honourable Excellency.
Count. Come, lead the way. Peter, attend your young master to the
house; we must not tire him. [Exit, conducted by SOLOMON.
Pet. We'll go round this way, your little Excellency, and then we shall
see the bridge as we go by; and the new boat, with all the fine ribbands
and streamers. This way, your little Excellency.

[Exit, leading the Child.

SCENE III.
The Antichamber.
Enter MRS. HALLER.
Mrs. H. What