The Stranger | Page 6

Stranger lived there.
Sol. Pshaw! What have we to do with the Stranger?--Who told him to live there?--He must turn out.
Mrs. H. That would be unjust; for you said, that you let the dwelling to him, and by your own account he pays well for it.
Sol. He does, he does. But nobody knows who he is. The devil himself can't make him out. To be sure, I lately received a letter from Spain, which informed me that a spy had taken up his abode in this country, and from the description--
Mrs. H. A spy! Ridiculous! Every thing I have heard bespeaks him to be a man, who may be allowed to dwell any where. His life is solitude and silence.
Sol. So it is.
Mrs. H. You tell me too he does much good.
Sol. That he does.
Mrs. H. He hurts nothing; not the worm in his way.
Sol. That he does not.
Mrs. H. He troubles no one.
Sol. True! true!
Mrs. H. Well, what do you want more?
Sol. I want to know who he is. If the man would only converse a little, one might have an opportunity of pumping; but if one meets him in the lime walk, or by the river, it is nothing but--"Good morrow;"--and off he marches. Once or twice I have contrived to edge in a word--"Fine day."--"Yes."--"Taking a little exercise, I perceive."--"Yes:"--and off again like a shot. The devil take such close fellows, say I. And, like master like man; not a syllable do I know of that mumps his servant, except that his name is Francis.
Mrs. H. You are putting yourself into a passion, and quite forget who are expected.
Sol. So I do--Mercy on us!--There now, you see what misfortunes arise from not knowing people.
Mrs. H. 'Tis near twelve o'clock already! If his lordship has stolen an hour from his usual sleep, the family must soon be here. I go to my duty; you will attend to yours, Mr. Solomon. [Exit.
Sol. Yes, I'll look after my duty, never fear. There goes another of the same class. Nobody knows who she is again. However, thus much I do know of her, that her Right Honourable Ladyship the Countess, all at once, popped her into the house, like a blot of ink upon a sheet of paper. But why, wherefore, or for what reason, not a soul can tell.--"She is to manage the family within doors." She to manage! Fire and faggots! Haven't I managed every thing within and without, most reputably, these twenty years? I must own I grow a little old, and she does take a deal of pains: but all this she learned of me. When she first came here--Mercy on us! she didn't know that linen was made of flax. But what was to be expected from one who has no foreign correspondence. [Exit.

ACT THE SECOND.
SCENE I.
A Drawing Room in the Castle, with a Piano Forte, Harp, Music, Bookstand, Sofas, Chairs, Tables, &c.
Enter SOLOMON.
Sol. Well, for once I think I have the advantage of Madam Haller. Such a dance have I provided to welcome their Excellencies, and she quite out of the the secret! And such a hornpipe by the little Brunette! I'll have a rehearsal first though, and then surprise their honours after dinner.
[Flourish of rural music without.
Pet. [Without.] Stop; not yet, not yet: but make way there, make way, my good friends, tenants, and villagers.--John! George! Frederick! Good friends, make way.
Sol. It is not the Count: it's only Baron Steinfort. Stand back, I say; and stop the music!
Enter BARON STEINFORT, ushered in by PETER and FOOTMEN. PETER mimicks and apes his father.
Sol. I have the honour to introduce to your lordship myself, Mr. Solomon, who blesses the hour in which fortune allows him to become acquainted with the Honourable Baron Steinfort, brother-in-law of his Right Honourable Excellency Count Wintersen, my noble master.
Pet. Bless our noble master!
Bar. Old and young, I see they'll allow me no peace. [Aside.] Enough, enough, good Mr. Solomon. I am a soldier. I pay but few compliments, and require as few from others.
Sol. I beg, my lord--We do live in the country to be sure, but we are acquainted with the reverence due to exalted personages.
Pet. Yes--We are acquainted with exalted personages.
Bar. What is to become of me?--Well, well, I hope we shall be better acquainted. You must know, Mr. Solomon, I intend to assist, for a couple of months at least, in attacking the well stocked cellars of Wintersen.
Sol. Why not whole years, my lord?--Inexpressible would be the satisfaction of your humble servant. And, though I say it, well stocked indeed are our cellars. I have, in every respect, here managed matters in so frugal and provident a way, that his Right Honourable Excellency the Count, will be astonished. [BARON yawns.] Extremely sorry it is not in my power to