If you will see him, I must warn those two men that you see him on your own affairs. Let them only suspect you of meddling, and you cross their path at the peril of your life!
(MARIAN enters hurriedly on the left.)
Mar. Can you come to Laura? She has had some dream about you that has frightened her dreadfully. Nothing but the sight of you will persuade her that you are safe and well.
Wal. Marian! you have promised to help me. I claim your promise. Our last hope is lost, if I miss the train that gets to London to-night.
Mar. You are leaving us?
Wal. I have not a moment to spare. I can only count on your courage and devotion. Take Laura to Carlisle this evening. You shall hear from me to-morrow. Marian! Marian! I trust in you!
(He draws her to him, kisses her on the forehead, and hurries out on the right. PESCA attempts to follow. MARIAN seizes him by the arm.)
Mar. (wildly). He is going into danger!
Pesca. Leave hold of me, or he will go alone!
(He disengages himself, and follows WALTER. At the same moment, LAURA appears in violent agitation on the left.)
Laura. Walter! Walter! where are you?
Mar. Merciful God! what am I to tell her? If she gets to the window she will see him!
(She hurries to LAURA, and forces her out again, on the left.)
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[80]THE LAST SCENE. DATE: September 26th, 1862. Night. PLACE: The Drawing-room of Fosco's Villa in St. John's Wood.
The stage is divided, vertically, into two unequal portions. The smaller portion (on the actor's left) represents, a conservatory, communicating with the drawing-room by a glass door in the drawing-room wall. A curtain hangs over the glass, on the side of it turned towards the room. The fireplace and chimney-piece are on the left wall of the room. At the back of the stage a large open French window, raised a little above the level of the drawing-room floor, gives access by means of two or three steps to a little tiled ante-chamber or hall, which has a door at the further end, serving as an exit, and supposed to open into another room. The junction of the ante-chamber with the conservatory on the left is hidden by the wall of the drawing-room, and by the curtains which hang over the French window, hiding both sides of the ante-chamber from view. On the right hand wall of the drawing-room is a door of entrance, supposed to communicate with the interior of the house. The furniture is composed of a table, which must contain a drawer; of a few chairs, and a sofa. In the ante-chamber, placed on a stand, is the cage containing the Count's canaries. An oil-lamp burns on the table. The conservatory on the left hand side of the room, and the ante-chamber at the back (which has a skylight), are lit by the moon. FOSCO and MADAME FOSCO are discovered. MADAME FOSCO is handing articles of wearing apparel to her husband, who is on his knees, in his shirt-sleeves, packing a small portmanteau.
Fosco (pausing). Have you found out when the passport-office opens to-morrow morning?
Madame F. At ten o'clock.
Fosco (continuing his packing). I wish it had been earlier!
[81]Madame F. (handing him the next article of clothing). Count!
Fosco. My angel?
Madame F. I have aided your plans--I have kept your secrets. Surely I have some title to your confidence? What is the danger which forces this sudden departure on us?
Fosco (aside). Even her courage may falter if I tell her! (To MADAME FOSCO.) You shall know it when we are out of England. In the mean time, whatever the danger may be, you see in your husband a man capable of grappling with it. (He looks at his luggage.) So! the portmanteau is filled. Go up to your room, Eleanor, and rest for tonight.
(A knock is heard at the door on the right. A maid-servant enters with a visiting card in her hand.)
The Servant. A gentleman to see you, sir.
(MADAME FOSCO takes the card and hands it to her husband.)
Fosco (looking at it). "Mr. Walter Hartright." (Aside.) The man who presented me to Pesca! He has some motive in coming here.
(He pauses, with the card in his hand. MADAME FOSCO points to it.)
Madame F. There is writing on the card. Look!
Fosco (reading). "On business of serious importance to the count." (He considers for a moment.) Where is Mr. Hartright?
The Servant. At the garden-gate, sir.
Fosco. Show him in.
(He crosses the room to the chimney-piece.)
Madame F. Are you running any risk, count? Mr. Hartright is your enemy.
Fosco. Mr. Hartright is a fly that buzzes about my ears. If it is necessary, I shall brush the fly away--that is all. (He takes a pistol from the chimney-piece, unnoticed by MADAME FOSCO, who is looking towards the door on the right, in expectation of WALTER'S appearance. FOSCO rapidly examines the pistol to see if it is capped, and then puts it in the drawer of the table, saying to himself as he closes the drawer): Medicine for Mr. Hartright. To be taken if required.
[82](WALTER enters by the door on the right, shown in by the Servant. He bows to MADAME FOSCO and to the COUNT.)
Fosco (gravely). You wish to see me, Mr. Hartright?
Wal. I have something to say to you--(he points to the portmanteau)--before you take your journey.
Fosco. Is your business connected with my journey?
Wal. In some degree.
Fosco. Is it private business?
Wal. If Madame Fosco will excuse me--yes.
Fosco. Madame Fosco accepts your excuses. (To MADAME FOSCO.) My angel, I have no further need of your services. Leave me with Mr. Hartright, and try to sleep. (He opens the door on the right.)
Madame F. If I can't sleep, count, may I come down again to you?
Fosco. Knock at the door first. I may be engaged on private matters. (MADAME FOSCO goes out. FOSCO, after closing the door, turns, and addresses WALTER, who has crossed to the fireplace. FOSCO stands at the table) In what way is your business connected with my journey? Do you know where I am going to?
Wal. No. I only know why you are leaving London.
(FOSCO suddenly turns back to the door on the right, locks it, and puts the key in his pocket.)
Fosco. When you came to this house, Mr. Hartright, did it by any chance occur to you that I was not a man to be trifled with? (He seats himself at the table, with his hand over the drawer. WALTER, steadily observing him, remains standing at the fireplace.) You know why I am leaving London. Tell me the reason, if you please. (He slowly opens the drawer.)
Wal. I can show you the reason, if you like.
Fosco. How can you show it? (He drops his hand into the drawer.)
Wal. You have your coat off. Turn up the shirt-sleeve on your left arm. You will see the reason there. (A pause. FOSCO is heard moving the pistol in the drawer. He slowly raises it into view just above the level of the drawer, with his eyes fixed thoughtfully on WALTER. WALTER resumes in the low steady tones in which he has spoken from the first.) Wait a little! You see I don't move. You [83]see my hands are empty. I have something more to say to you.