The Stranger | Page 5

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. H. You know, sir, I'm not much given to jesting.
Sol. Peter!--Good lack-a-day!--His Right Honourable Excellency Count Wintersen, and her Right Honourable Excellency the Countess Wintersen, and his Honourable Lordship Baron Steinfort--And, Lord have mercy! nothing in proper order!--Here, Peter! Peter!
Enter PETER.
Pet. Well, now; what's the matter again?
Sol. Call all the house together directly! Send to the game keeper; tell him to bring some venison. Tell Rebecca to uncase the furniture, and take the covering from the Venetian looking glasses, that her Right Honourable Ladyship the Countess may look at her gracious countenance: and tell the cook to let me see him without loss of time: and tell John to catch a brace or two of carp. And tell--and tell--and tell--tell Frederick to friz my Sunday wig.--Mercy on us!--Tell--There--Go!-- [Exit PETER.] Heavens and earth! so little of the new furnishing of this old castle is completed!--Where are we to put his Honourable Lordship the Baron?
Mrs. H. Let him have the little chamber at the head of the stairs; it is a neat room, and commands a beautiful prospect.
Sol. Very right, very right. But that room has always been occupied by the Count's private secretary. Suppose!--Hold, I have it. You know the little lodge at the end of the park: we can thrust the secretary into that.
Mrs. H. You forget, Mr. Solomon; you told me that the