If, by some dexterous stroke, I could manage to curry favour with Norton, and procure some handsome present in return for services rendered,—for ‘work and labour done and performed,’ as my obedient servant, John Ellis, would say, I might keep my head above water yet. I have it! He shall have a joyful surprise. I’ll carry this girl off for him, and he shall know nothing of the enterprise until it is completed, or at least till she is fairly off. I have been well rewarded for similar services before, and may securely calculate on his gratitude in the present instance. He is here. (Puts up the letter.)
Enter SQUIRE NORTON.
SQUIRE (seating himself at table). Has any application for permission to remain on the farm been made from Benson, this morning, Flam?
FLAM. None.
SQUIRE. I am very sorry for it, although I admire the old man’s independent spirit. I am very sorry for it. Wrong as I know I have been, I would rather that the first concession came from him.
FLAM. Concession!
SQUIRE. The more I reflect upon the occurrences of yesterday, Flam, the more I regret that, under the influence of momentary passion and excitement, I should have used so uncalled-for a threat against my father’s oldest tenant. It is an act of baseness to which I look back with abhorrence.
FLAM (aside). What weathercock morality is this!
SQUIRE. It was unnecessary violence.
FLAM. Unnecessary! Oh, certainly; no doubt you could have attained your object without it, and can still. There is no occasion to punish the old man.
SQUIRE. Nor will I. He shall not leave the farm, if I myself implore, and beg him to remain.
Enter Servant.
SERVANT. Two young women to speak with your honour.
Enter LUCY and ROSE.
SQUIRE. Lucy!
FLAM (aside). She must be carried off to-night, or she certainly will save me the trouble, and I shall lose the money.
LUCY. Your honour may be well surprised to see me here, after the events of yesterday. It has cost me no trifling struggle to take this step, but I hope my better feelings have at length prevailed, and conquered my pride and weakness. I wish to speak to your honour, with nobody by.
FLAM (aside). Nobody by! I rather suspect I’m not particularly wanted here. (To them.) Pray allow us to retire for a few moments. Rose, my dear.
ROSE. Well!
FLAM. Come along.
LUCY. Rose will remain here, I brought her for that purpose.
FLAM. Bless me! that’s very odd. As you please, of course, but I really think you’ll find her very much in the way. (Aside.) Acting propriety! So much the better for my purpose; a little coyness will enhance the value of the prize.
[Exit FLAM.
LUCY. Mr. Norton, I come here to throw myself upon your honourable feelings, as a man and as a gentleman. Oh, sir! now that my eyes are opened to the misery into which I have plunged myself, by my own ingratitude and treachery, do not—do not add to it the reflection that I have driven my father in his old age from the house where he was born, and in which he hoped to have died.
SQUIRE. Be calm, Lucy; your father shall continue to hold the farm; the lease shall be renewed.
LUCY. I have more to say to your honour still, and what I have to add may even induce your honour to retract the promise you have just now made me.
SQUIRE. Lucy! what can you mean?
LUCY. Oh, sir! call me coquette, faithless, treacherous, deceitful, what you will; I deserve it all;—but believe me, I speak the truth when I make the humiliating avowal. A weak, despicable vanity induced me to listen with a ready ear to your honour’s addresses, and to cast away the best and noblest heart that ever woman won.
SQUIRE. Lucy, ’twas but last night you told me that your love for Edmunds had vanished into air; that you hated and despised him.
LUCY. I know it, sir, too well. He laid bare my own guilt, and showed me the ruin which impended over me. He spoke the truth. Your honour more than confirmed him.
SQUIRE (after a pause). Even the avowal you have just made, unexpected as it is, shall not disturb my resolution. Your father shall not leave the farm.
Quartet.
LUCY / ROSE / SQUIRE NORTON, and afterwards YOUNG BENSON.
SQUIRE.