My lord with forty thousand a year; Sir John with property in half a dozen counties; these are the men who never forgive the beggar that extracts from them a sovereign. Who are the people that lose sixpences and shillings? Servants and small clerks, to whom they are of consequence. Did you ever hear of Rothschild or of Baring dropping a fourpenny-piece down a gutter-hole? Fourpence in Rothschild's pocket is safer than in that of the woman who is now crying stale shrimps in the Skeldergate.
MAG. Well, sir?
CAPT. W. Well; here, in book No. 1, are all my districts mapped out, with the prevalent public feeling to appeal to in each--military district, clerical district, agricultural district, etc. Here, in No. 2, are all the cases that I plead. Family of an officer who fell at Waterloo. Wife of a poor curate stricken down by nervous debility. Widow of a grazier in difficulties, gored to death by a mad bull. Here, in No. 3, are the people who have heard of the officer's family, the curate's wife, and the grazier's widow, and here the people who haven't. The people who have said Yes, and the people who have said No. The people to try again: the people who want a fresh excitement; the people who are doubtful; the people to beware of. Here, in No. 5, are my adopted handwritings of public character; my testimonials to my own worth and integrity; my heartrending statements of the officer's family, the curate's wife, etc., stained with tears, blotted with emotion. Here, in No. 6, are my own personal subscriptions to local charities; paid in remunerative neighborhoods, on the principle of throwing a sprat to catch a herring, and----
MAG. And such being the evidence of your talents and resources----
WRAG. You can judge of the assistance I can render you if you intend to adopt the stage.
MAG. But I do not intent to adopt it
WRAG. You don't?
MAG. I do not. I have merely led my friends to think so as a screen to my real purpose. I have left home with but one object; to carry out, in secret, a scheme for the recovery of my rights, for the regaining of that property which I was robbed of by my uncle.
WRAG. Michael Vanstone?
MAG. Who is dead.
WRAG. Dead?
MAG. Lately, at Brighton; leaving the fortune which should have been mine and my sister's to his son Noel, an invalid.
WRAG. Bless my soul, here's a discovery.
MAG. If I want your aid at all, it is to assist me in this scheme. It is to help me, in the first place, to gain access to my cousin; to enable me to see him, I know his feelings towards his father's victims; to learn also the character and influence of this housekeeper he has got
WRAG. Well, my dear young friend?
MAG. He is gone to London, and is now living at a secluded house at Lambeth, which I intend to enter in disguise, assuming the name of my governess, Miss Garth. To effect this purpose I left home, pretending I was going on the stage; but now shall return to town in secret, and take a lodging near his own. But to do this, I require a companion, and, as a female would be best, may I have your wife?
WRAG. My wife? (looks at MRS. W., who suddenly starts on seeing she it watched.)
MAG. Whilst you stay here to await the result, and give me your personal aid in the next step I may require to take.
WRAG. With pleasure, my dear Miss Vanstone; with the utmost possible pleasure. I heartily sympathise in your noble object, and as I cannot doubt, of course, that you are provided with funds to carry it out----
MAG. With sufficient at least, from the sale of my jewels, to repay you for your assistance. You are in want of money at this moment; will this note meet your necessities? (takes bill from her pocket-book.)
WRAG. Twenty pounds!--abundantly, my dear child.
MAG. We will discuss, then, to-morrow, the entire extent of your repayment, as well as all other points in respect to this arrangement. It is agreed that your wife accompanies me, on my return, by an early train.
WRAG. If you can put up with her incumbrance, will thank you for the honor. Mrs. Wragge! Why she's asleep! Mrs. Wragge!
MRS. W. (starts from her seat, repeating). Turn it over, and double it, and--Yes, dear, did you call?
WRAG. Why, ain't you ashamed to fall asleep on the first occasion our dear niece does us the honor of a visit?
MAG. Oh, don't blame her. I'm tired out myself. If she will oblige me with a candle, I'll retire.
WRAG. And she'll conduct you to your room, of course. Mrs. Wragge, a candle, and show our dear niece to her room; and the next time you forget yourself, fall asleep straight, ma'am, if you please. Good night, my dear Miss Vanstone, good night, and refreshing sleep to you!
MAG. Good night, sir.
MRS. W. I really beg your pardon, miss. I thought I was busy cooking. (lights a candle and goes out D. in F., followed by MAGDALEN.)
WRAG. (flourishes bill). Twenty pounds, as a commencement, and the prospect of hundreds, if she succeeds! A noble girl, upon my word; a very noble and deserving girl!
QUICK CURTAIN.
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ACT III.
SCENE I.--The Parlors of a House in Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth.
SERVANT enters, L. 3 E. D., followed by MAGDALEN.
SERVANT. If you please, take a seat, mum; I'll tell Mrs. Lecompte you are here.
[Exit, C., and off, L.
MAG (lifts up her veil, showing her further disguise of false hair, etc.). So far, then, I have succeeded; I am under his roof, and am about to see his housekeeper--this woman whom I am told exercises so great an influence over him. In this disguise I have little fear of being known, or even suspected; no one would detect me now, not even those who know me best. These rooms are poorly furnished, they confirm the report that he is a miser; and what have we here (approaches the aquarium and recoils.)
MADAME LECOMPTE enters from L. U. E., and by C. Good heavens!
MADAME LECOMPTE. Don't be alarmed; my pets hurt nobody.
MAG. (turns, dropping her veil, and speaking in a feigned voice). Madame Lecompte?
MAD.