LEY. No matter! (tries to restore MISS M. to consciousness out of her faint, L.)
DAVID. But it may be of some importance. Oh! there is something wrong here!
LEY. Another time, good David! I cannot attend to it now.
DAVID. But it's the Brentwood letter! I found it by the instructions in the pocket-book of Ruth the quadroon.
WEST. What's that about Ruth the quadroon? If it concerns her son I claim an interest in it as his master. Let it be taken care of for me.
DAVID (to MARSHAL). It is directed to you, sir.
MAR. (takes letter). To me! Mr. Brentwood's handwriting! Mention of a duplicate letter addressed to me--I never received any letter-- could his jealous wife have suppressed it? Ah! (opens letter.)
WEST. There, now, will you follow me? (speaks to WOLF animatedly.)
DAVID (aside). I understand now! he is a slave on his plantation. Oh!
MAR. (aside). A few moments' delay will be a grace for his poor wife. (reads letter and evinces surprise and joy) What is this I see! can I credit it!
WEST. Come don't read it to yourself, but read it aloud.
MAR. You wish me to read it aloud. Ha, ha! Thanks to your interference, Mr. Westcraft, I have read this now when I might otherwise have deferred it, and repented my delay all the rest of my life. I hold here in my hand a paper of manumission signed and sealed by Mr. Brentwood, in favor of the son of Ruth.
WEST. What's that you say? (all are amazed.)
MAR. I congratulate you, Mr. Westcraft. You have bought the Michaelmas estate, but you have not bought Maurice de Leyrac.
WEST. It's a forgery! I dispute it!
MAR. A man like you always disputes the truth! (PLANTERS flock round MARSHAL to examine the papers.)
WEST. I'll spend every penny I have to contest it.
DAVID (L. C.). You can't! for you have spent every penny you have to buy my estate.
WEST. Oh! curse you all! (they laugh at him. He and WOLF and several NEGROES go up and exeunt R. U. E.)
MISS M. I live again. You are free! (takes LEYRAC'S hand, C.)
LEYRAC. No! (kisses her hand) I am your slave! (Picture.)
CURTAIN.