desire you to take back [Gives her the casket. How well do I recollect spect your sentiments, and withdraw my request; but on condition, that if ever you shall be in want of any thing, I may be the first and only person in the world to whom you will make your application. Mrs. H. I promise it, my lord. Stra. And now I may, at least, what is your own-your jewels. Mrs. H. [Opens it and weeps.] the sweet evening when you gave me these! That evening my father joined our hands; and joyfully I pronounced the oath of eternal fidelity.-It is broken. This locket you gave me on my birth-day. That was a happy day! We had a country feast-How cheerful we all were!-This bracelet I received after my William was born!-No! Take them-take them-I cannot take these, unless you wish that the sight of them should be an incessant reproach to my almost broken heart. [Gives them back. Stra. I must go. My soul and pride will hold no longer. Farewell. Mrs. H. Oh! But one minute more! An answer to, but one more question.-Feel for a mother's heart!—Are my children still alive? Stra. Yes, they are alive. Mrs. H. And well? Stra. Yes, they are well. Mrs. H. Heaven be praised! William must be much grown? Stra. I believe so. Mrs. H. What! Have you not seen them then ?—And little Amelia, is she still your favourite? [The Stranger, who is in violent agitation throughout this scene, remains in silent contention between honour and affection.] Oh! generous man, allow me to behold them once again !-Let me once more kiss the features of their father in his babes, and I will kneel to you, and part with them for ever. [She kneels he raises her. Stra. Willingly, Adelaide! This very night. I expect the children every minute. They have been brought up near this spot. I have already sent my servant for them. He might, ere this time, have returned. 1 pledge my word to send them to the Castle as soon as they arrive. There, if you please, they may remain 'till day-break to-morrow: then they must go with me. [The Countess and Baron, having re-entered and listened to the whole conversation with the warmest sympathy, exchange signals. Baron goes into the Hut, and soon returns with the Children. He gives the Girl to the Countess, who places herself behind the Stranger. He himself walks with the Boy behind Mrs. Haller. Mrs. H. In this world then-We have no more to say- [Seizing his hand.] Forget a wretch, who never will forget you.-Let me press this hand once more to my lips-this hand which once was mine.-And when my penance shall have broken my heart,-when we again meet in a better world Stra. There, Adelaide, you may be mine again. Stra. Mrs. H. } Oh! Oh! [Parting. [But, as they are going, she encounters the Boy, and he the Girl. Children. Dear father! Dear mother! [They press the Children in their arms with speechless affection; then tear themselves away-gaze at each other-spread their arms, and rush into an embrace. The Children run and cling round their parents. The Curtain falls. DISPOSITION OF THE CHARACTERS AT THE FALL OF THE CURTAIN. COUNTESS. BARON. AMELIA. STRANGER. MRS. HALLer. WILLIAM. R.] THE END. [L. Snarl. There, now, my cloth. The Village Lawyer. he's fancying himself a tailor, and at work upon R. Cruikshank, Del. Ac. I. Scene 3. THE VILLAGE LAWYER; A FARCE, In Two Acts. PRINTED FROM THE ACTING COPY, WITH REMARKS, BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL. To which are added, A DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUME,-CAST OF THE CHARACTERS EXITS AND ENTRANCES,-RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE WHOLE OF THE STAGE BUSINESS, As now Performed at the THEATRES-ROYAL, LONDON. EMBELLISHED WITH A FINE WOOD ENGRAVING, By Mr. BONNER, from a Drawing taken in the Theatre by Mr. R CRUIKSHANK. LONDON: JOHN CUMBERLAND, 19, LUDGATE HILL. |