The Stranger | Page 9

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 has thus alarmed and subdued me? My tears flow; my heart bleeds. Already had I apparently overcome my chagrin: already had I at least assumed that easy gaiety once so natural to me, when the sight of this child in an instant overpowered me. When the Countess called him William--Oh! she knew not that she plunged a poniard in my heart. I have a William too, who must be as tall as this, if he be still alive. Ah! yes, if he be still alive. His little sister too! Why, fancy, dost thou rack me thus? Why dost thou image my poor children, fainting in sickness, and crying to their mother? To the mother who has abandoned them? [Weeps.] What a wretched outcast am I! And that just to-day I should be doomed to feel these horrible emotions! just to-day, when disguise was so necessary.
Enter CHARLOTTE.
Char. [Entering.] Very pretty, very pretty indeed; better send me to the garret at once. Your servant, Mrs. Haller. I beg, madam, I may have a room fit for a respectable person.
Mrs. H. The chamber into which you have been shown is, I think, a very neat one.
Char. A very neat one, is it? Up the back stairs, and over the laundry! I should never be able to close my eyes.
Mrs. H. [Very mildly.] I slept there a whole year.
Char. Did you? Then I advise you to remove into it again, and the sooner the better. I'd have you to know, madam, there is a material difference between certain persons and certain persons. Much depends upon the manner in which one has been educated. I think, madam, it would only be proper if you resigned your room to me.
Mrs. H. If the Countess desires it, certainly.
Char. The Countess! Very pretty, indeed! Would you have me think of plaguing her ladyship with such trifles? I shall order my trunk to be carried where-ever I please.
Mrs. H. Certainly; only not into my chamber.
Char. Provoking creature! But how could I expect to find breeding among creatures born of one knows not whom, and coming one knows not whence?
Mrs. H. The remark is very just.
Enter PETER, in haste.
Pet. Oh lud! Oh lud!