L. I have the pleasure of addressing the lady who called here this morning--Miss Garth.
MAG. The same.
MAD. L. Accept my excuses for the state of these rooms. We only came for a few days, and leave to-morrow for the sea side, for Aldborough on the coast of Norfolk; so we didn't think it worth while to put them in order. Will you take a seat, and oblige me by mentioning the object of your visit (places a chair for MAGDALEN, L. C., then takes one herself, R.)
MAG. Certainly. I am suffering, as you may perceive, from an affection of the eyes; I must beg your permission, therefore, to wear my veil down, and to sit away from the light.
MAD, L. Oh, you can't bear the light; I'm really very sorry.
MAG. My errand is as follows: I lived many years as governess in the family of the late Mr. Andrew Vanstone, and I am come here in the interest of his two orphan daughters.
MAD. L. Ahem. I am surprised you can go out of doors without using a green shade.
MAG. I find a shade over my eyes keeps them too hot at this time of the year. May I ask if you heard what I have just said on the subject of my errand?
MAD. L. May I, on my part, inquire how that errand can possibly concern me?
MAG. Certainly. I come to you because Mr. Vanstone's intentions towards the young ladies were made known in a letter from yourself.
MAD. L. Pray pardon me, I remember; but you are mistaken in supposing I am of any importance; I am merely the mouthpiece of Mr. Noel Vanstone, the pen he holds, if you will excuse the expression--nothing more. He is an invalid; he has his good days and his bad. It was a bad day when that answer was sent to, shall I say, Miss Vanstone. It was one of his bad days, and I had to write it, simply as his secretary, for want of a better.
MAG. I perceive.
MAD. L. If you wish to speak to Mr. Vanstone on this subject, I will mention your name to him. He is alone, and very luckily this is one of his good days. I have the influence of an old servant, and I will use that influence with pleasure.
MAG. If you would be so good, and I am not taking an undue advantage of your kindness.
MAD. L On the contrary, you are laying me under an obligation; you are permitting me, in my limited way, to assist the performance of a benevolent action, (she goes off, C.)
MAG. (raises her veil). Smooth speaker--hypocrite--do you think I cannot penetrate you? (turns to the aquarium) I wonder whose blood is the coldest--yours, you little monster, or your owner's? I wonder which is the slimiest--her heart or your back? You hateful wretch, do you know what your mistress is? She is a devil.
MADAME LECOMPTE enters, C. MAD. L. Mr. Vanstone will see you in a few minutes. He was just leaving his room. I must caution you, however, upon one point. You must be careful not to depress his spirits, or to agitate him in any way. His heart has been a cause of serious anxiety to those about him. There is no positive disease. It is only a chronic feebleness, a want of vital power.
MAG. I regret to hear it, really.
MAD. L. His medical advisers say it will go on well enough, if we don't give it too much to do; so you will be kind enough to be cautious, and to keep a guard on your conversation.
MAG. (aside). Oh! the craft of that.
MAD. L. Talking of medical men, have you ever tried the golden ointment for the sad affliction in your eyes? I have heard it is an excellent remedy.
MAG. (sharply). It has not succeeded with me. Before I see Mr. Vanstone, may I inquire----
MAD. L. I beg pardon; if your question refers to these poor girls--the Miss Vanstones, I mean, of course--you must excuse me if I can't discuss it, except in my master's presence, so we'll talk of something else. Have you noticed my glass tank? I have every reason to believe it a perfect novelty in England.
MAG. Yes, madam, I have looked at it.
MAD. L. But take no interest in it--quite natural. I took none in it I myself till I was married. My dear husband formed my tastes and elevated me to himself. You have heard of the late Professor Lecompte, the eminent Swiss naturalist? I am his widow. He permitted me to assist him in his pursuits, and I have had only one interest since his death--an interest in science. Eminent in many things, the Professor was great in reptiles. He left me his subjects and his tank. There is his tank. All the subjects died, but this quiet little fellow, this nice little toad. Are you surprised at my liking him? Very possibly; but the professor lived long enough to elevate me above the common prejudices. Properly understood, the reptile creation is very beautiful; properly dissected, it is instructive to the last degree.
NOEL VANSTONE enters L. U. E. and on by C., and sinks into seat at R. table. VANSTONE. Madame Lecompte!
MAD. L. (turning). Oh, here's my master. Mr. Vanstone, this is Miss Garth. (MAGDALEN rises and bows.)
VANS. Take a seat, Miss Garth. I am Mr. Noel Vanstone. You wished to see me--here I am. (MAGDALEN resumes her seat.)
MAD. L. May I be permitted to retire, sir?
VANS. Certainly not. Stay here, and keep us company. Madame Lecompte has my fullest confidence; whatever you may say to me you say to her. She is a domestic treasure; there is not another house in England has such a treasure as Madame Lecompte. (MADAME LECOMPTE takes seat.)
MAG. And now, sir, if you will permit me----
VANS. Stop a moment, let me move this candlestick--don't suppose it's a common one--it's a Peruvian candlestick, madam. There are only three of that pattern in the world: one is in the possession of the Peruvian President, one is locked up in the Vatican, one is on my table; it cost ten pounds--it's worth fifty. One of my father's bargains, madam. All these are my father's bargains. There's not another house in England has such curiosities as these. Mrs. Lecompte is one of his bargains--ain't you, my good Lecompte? My father was a remarkable man, madam. I've got on his dressing-gown--no such linen as this made now-a-days; you can't get it for love or money. Would you like to feel the texture? Perhaps you're no judge of texture; perhaps you'd prefer talking of these two pupils of yours you've come about.