The Triple Marriage | Page 7

he was at Cliffordshire Manor.
Trim Well, that's the truth.
Matthews Didn't I predict you would tell me that?
Trim Yes, I said so, and I will continue to say so. When I tell the truth, I fear nobody.
Matthews I have to admire the effrontery of this gallows-bird.
Trim (wishing to escape) Oh--if you're getting irritated.
Matthews Stay put, or I'll brain you.
Trim Is there something I can do to serve you? You have only to speak.
Matthews And you, you have only two choices to make.
Trim Let us see.
Matthews Take two pounds or be pounded on the head twenty times.
Trim Simple choice. I'll take the two pounds.
Matthews (giving him money) Here they are.
Trim Thank you, sir. I wish you a good day.
Matthews (astounded) You're going somewhere?
Trim Yes, indeed. Didn't I choose?
Matthews And have you told me what I want to know?
Trim What sir?
Matthews Where did you spend the entire week? I know that it wasn't at Cliffordshire Manor. Clifford's aunt, the Countess, has come. She was staying with Clifford for two weeks, and she just told me that my son had not put in an appearance.
Trim She wouldn't dare to say that to my face.
Matthews That we'll see. She's still here.
Trim Oh, if she's still here, I have nothing to say. I cannot tell a woman of her quality that she's crazy.
Matthews You're trying to put me off the scent. But you won't succeed. I'm on my guard. Come on, tell the truth.
Trim Oh, willingly! It's my character to tell the truth.
Matthews You sanctimonious hypocrite!
Trim So, to tell you exactly--
Matthews The double crosser is going to lie! But, reckon, that will serve nothing. I know where you were.
Trim If you know, why do you ask me?
Matthews I want to hear it from your own mouth.
Trim Oh, fie, sir! Where is honor, where is probity? I give the word of a gentleman. Admit to me that you know nothing if I keep silent.
Matthews' If you keep silent, I will roast you.
Trim They will be blows wasted. I have shoulders equal to any beating. I am of the race of sergeants and blows cannot frighten an illustrious member of my family.
Matthews A singularly well-bred villain.
Trim It is I who have an interest to make you admit that you are totally ignorant of where we have been.
Matthews Why?
Trim Because I am sensible of the honor. I want to be able to boast that you have caught me, and gained nothing from your money.
Matthews Well, I admit that all I know is that you were not where you said.
Trim You don't know any more than that?
Matthews No, that's the truth.
Trim So much the better! May the plague choke me if I tell you any more.
Matthews You won't speak?
Trim Here's your money. I have the right to keep my mouth shut.
Matthews And, I have the right to brain you.
Trim Strike. I will make you see that I have degenerated not one whit from the intrepidity of my forebears.
Matthews His impudence leaves me helpless, and I know no more where I'm at than before. I order you to leave my house, and to never let me see you again.
(Exit Matthews.)
Trim My word, I've had to withstand a rude assault--but, I brought it off like a gentleman. Now, let's look for my master. I have to instruct him.-- Here he is in the nick of time.
(Enter Walter.)
Walter What's the matter with you, Trim?
Trim Nothing. Just thinking about a terrible beating I almost got because of you.
Walter Because of me! And who is the rogue who wished to beat you?
Trim Your honored father.
Walter I don't understand a word. Are you joking?
Trim No, indeed. The Countess of Cliffordshire has just informed Mr. Matthews that we were nowhere near her nephew's estate.
Walter Ah, the old fool. She has sworn to make me unhappy. It isn't the only evil she has done me.
Trim I know she's the devil.
Walter You know she's been in love with me for the last two years and she's mad for me to respond to her.
Trim That's the truth! I've helped you deceive her a bit: you��ve had some narrow escapes.
Walter Here, you see, she's coming to persecute me some more.
Trim Leave her to me. I'll give her her walking papers.
(Enter the Countess.)
Countess Well, sir, you've finally decided to stop hoping for me.
Walter Me, Madame? I have no intention of giving you any trouble.
Trim He doesn't think you're the only one in the world.
Countess I don't know about that! What's all this about your little hunting trip?
Walter Madame, with your indulgence, I really don't have any story to tell you.
Countess You don't owe me any explanation, little rogue! I can tell you better. You must tell me now where you've been for the last eight days. Are you pretending to me that you were with Clifford?---- I'm waiting, faithless one, and I