SCENE II. An Apartment, which denotesthe Poverty of the Inhabitants. Henry and Eleanor discovered
ELEANOR
It is very late and very cold too, brother; and yet we have neither of us heart to bid each other good night.
HENRY
No – beds were made for rest.
ELEANOR
And that noise of carriages and link-boys at Sir George Splendorville's, next door, would keep us awake, if our sorrows did not.
HENRY
The poor have still more to complain of, when chance throws them thus near the rich, – it forces upon their minds a comparison might drive them to despair, if —
ELEANOR
– If they should not have good sense enough to reflect, that all this bustle and show of pleasure, may fall very short of happiness; as all the distress we feel, has not yet, thank Heaven, reached to misery.
HENRY
What do you call it then?
ELEANOR
A trial; sent to make us patient.
HENRY
It may make you so, but cannot me. Good morning to you.
[Going.
ELEANOR
Nay, it is night yet. Where are you going?
HENRY
I don't know. – To take a walk. – The streets are not more uncomfortable than this place, and scarcely colder.
ELEANOR
Oh, my dear brother! I cannot express half the uneasiness I feel when you part from me, though but for the shortest space.
HENRY
Why?
ELEANOR
Because I know your temper; you are impatient under adversity; you rashly think providence is unkind; and you would snatch those favours, which are only valuable when bestowed.
HENRY
What do you mean?
ELEANOR
Nay, do not be angry; but every time you go out into this tempting town, where superfluous riches continually meet the eye of the poor, I tremble lest you should forfeit your honesty for that, which Heaven decreed should not belong to you.
HENRY
And if I did, you would despise and desert me?
ELEANOR
No: not desert you; for I am convinced you would only take, to bring to me; but this is to assure you, I do not want for any thing.
HENRY
Not want? – Nor does my father?
ELEANOR
Scarcely, while we visit him. Every time he sees us we make him happy; but he would never behold us again if we behaved unworthy of him.
HENRY
What! banish us from a prison?
ELEANOR
And although it is a prison, you could not be happy under such a restriction.
HENRY
Happy! – When was I happy last?
ELEANOR
Yesterday, when your father thanked you for your kindness to him. Did we not all three weep with affection for each other? and was not that happiness?
HENRY
It was – nor will I give up such satisfaction, for any enticement that can offer. – Be contented, Eleanor, – for your sake and my father's, I will be honest. – Nay, more, – I will be scrupulously proud – and that line of conduct which my own honour could not force me to follow, my love to you and him, shall compel me to. – When, through necessity, I am tempted to plunder, your blushes and my father's anguish shall hold my hand. – And when I am urged through impatience, to take away my own life, your lingering death and his, shall check the horrid suggestion, and I will live for you.
ELEANOR
Then do not ever trust yourself away, at least from one of us.
HENRY
Dear sister! do you imagine that your power is less when separated from me? Do you suppose I think less frequently on my father and his dismal prison, because we are not always together? Oh! no! he comes even more forcibly to my thoughts in his absence – and then, more bitterly do I feel his misery, than while the patient old man, before my eyes, talks to me of his consolations; his internal comforts from a conscience pure, a mind without malice, and a heart, where every virtue occupy a place. – Therefore, do not fear that I shall forget either him or you, though I might possibly forget myself.
[Exit.
ELEANOR
If before him I am cheerful, yet to myself I must complain. [Weeps] And that sound of festivity at the house adjoining is insupportable! especially when I reflect that a very small portion of what will be wasted there only this one night, would be sufficient to give my dear father liberty.
[A rapping at the door of her chamber, on theopposite entrance.]
ELEANOR
Who's there?
MR. BLACKMAN
Open the door. [Without.
ELEANOR
The voice of our landlord. [Goes to the door.
Is it you, Mr. Blackman?
BLACKMAN
Yes, open the door. [Rapping louder.
[She opens it: Blackman enters, followedby Bluntly.]
BLACKMAN
What a time have you made me wait! – And in the name of wonder, why do you lock your door? Have you any thing to lose? Have not you already sold all the furniture you brought hither? And are you afraid of being stolen yourself?
[Eleanor retires to the back of the Stage.
BLUNTLY
Is this the chamber?
BLACKMAN
Yes, Sir, yes, Mr. Bluntly, this is it.
[Blackman assumes a very different tone ofvoice in speaking to Bluntly and Eleanor; to the one he is all submissive humility,to the other all harshness.]
BLUNTLY
This! [Contemptuously.
BLACKMAN
Why yes, sir, – this is the only place I have left in my own house, since your master has been pleased to occupy that next door, while his own magnificent one has been repairing. – Lock yourself up, indeed! (Looking at Eleanor.) – You have been continually asking me for more rooms, Mr. Bluntly, and have not I made near half a dozen doors already from one house to the other, on purpose to accommodate your good family. – Upon my honour, I have not now a single chamber but what I have let to these lodgers, and what I have absolute occasion for myself.
BLUNTLY
And if you do put yourself to a little inconvenience, Mr. Blackman, surely my master —
BLACKMAN
Your master, Mr. Bluntly, is a very good man – a very generous man – and I hope at least he has found me a very lucky one; for good luck is all the recommendation which I, in my humble station, aspire to – and since I have been Sir George's attorney, I have gained him no less than two law-suits.
BLUNTLY
I know it. I know also that you have lost him four.
BLACKMAN
We'll drop the subject. – And in regard to this room, sir, it does not suit, you say?
BLUNTLY
No, for I feel the cold wind blow through every crevice.
BLACKMAN
But suppose I was to have it put a little into repair? That window, for instance, shall have a pane or two of glass put in; the cracks of the door shall be stopt up; and then every thing will have a very different appearance.
BLUNTLY
And why has not this been done before?
BLACKMAN
Would you have me be laying out my money, while I only let the place at a paltry price, to people who I am obliged to threaten to turn into the streets every quarter, before I can get my rent from them?
BLUNTLY
Is that the situation of your lodgers at present?
BLACKMAN
Yes. – But they made a better appearance when they first came, or I had not taken such persons to live thus near to your master.
BLUNTLY
That girl (looking at Eleanor) seems very pretty – and I dare say my master would not care if he was nearer to her.
BLACKMAN
Pshaw, pshaw – she is a poor creature – she is in great distress. She is misery itself.
BLUNTLY
I feel quite charmed with misery. – Who belongs to her?
BLACKMAN
A young man who says he is her brother – very likely he is not – but that I should not enquire about, if they could pay my rent. If people will pay me, I don't care what they are. (Addressing himself to Eleanor) I desire you will tell your brother when he comes in, that I have occasion for the money which will be due to me to-morrow – and if I don't receive it before to-morrow night, he must seek some other habitation.
BLUNTLY
Hush, Mr. Blackman – if you speak so loud, you will have our company in the next house hear you.
BLACKMAN
And if they did, do you think it would spoil their dancing? No, Mr. Bluntly. – And in that respect, I am a person of fashion. – I never suffer any distress to interfere with my enjoyments.
ELEANOR
[Coming to him.
Dear sir, have but patience a little while longer. – Indeed, I hope you will lose nothing.
BLACKMAN
I won't lose any thing. [Going.
ELEANOR
[Following him.
Sir, I would speak a single word to you, if you will be so good as to hear me?
BLUNTLY
Ay, stay and hear her.
ELEANOR
[Looking at Bluntly.
But I wish to speak to him by ourselves.
BLUNTLY
Then I'll withdraw.
BLACKMAN
What have you to say? [In anger.
BLUNTLY
Hear her, Mr. Blackman – or may none of her sex ever listen to you.
[Exit.
BLACKMAN
If it is only to entreat me to let you continue here, I am gone in an instant. – Come, speak quickly, for I have no time to lose. – Come, speak, speak.
ELEANOR
But are you resolved to have no pity? You know in what a helpless situation we are – and the deplorable state of my poor father.
[Weeping.
BLACKMAN
Ay, I thought what you had to say – farewel, farewel.
ELEANOR
[Laying hold of him.
Oh! do not plunge us into more distress than we can bear; but open your heart to compassion.
BLACKMAN
I can't – 'tis a thing I never did in my life.
[Going, he meets Bluntly, who stops him.
BLUNTLY
Well, have you granted her request?
BLACKMAN
I would do a great deal to oblige you, Mr. Bluntly – and if you will only give your word for the trifle of rent owing, why, I am not so hard-hearted but I will suffer her to stay.
BLUNTLY
Well, well, – I will give my word.
BLACKMAN
But remember, it is not to be put down to your master's account, but to your own. – I am not to give credit.
ELEANOR
Nor am I to lay my brother under an obligation of this nature. (To Bluntly) I thank you for your offer, sir, but I cannot accept it.
BLACKMAN
[In extreme anger.
What do you mean by that?
BLUNTLY
Perhaps she is right.
ELEANOR
My brother would resent my acceptance of a favour from a stranger.
BLACKMAN
Your brother resent! A poor man resent! Did you ever hear of any body's regarding a poor man's resentment?
ELEANOR
No – nor a poor woman's prayers.
BLACKMAN
Yes, I will regard your prayers, if you will suffer this gentleman to be your friend.
ELEANOR
Any acquaintance of your's, Mr. Blackman,
I must distrust.
BLACKMAN
Do you hear with what contempt she treats us both?
BLUNTLY
But perhaps she is right – at least, in treating one of us so, I am sure she is – and I will forgive her wronging the one, for the sake of her doing justice to the other.
Enter Henry: he starts at seeing Blackman and Bluntly
HENRY
Who are these?
BLACKMAN
"Who are these?" Did you ever hear such impertinence? (Going up to him) Pray who are you, sir?
HENRY
I am a man.
BLACKMAN
Yes – but I am a lawyer.
HENRY
Whatever you are, this apartment is mine, not your's – and I desire you to leave it.
BLACKMAN
But to-morrow it will be mine, and then I shall desire you to leave it, and force you to leave it.
HENRY
Eleanor, retire to the other chamber; I am sorry I left you.
[Leads her off.
BLACKMAN
And I am sorry that I and my friend should come here to be affronted.
BLUNTLY
Mr. Blackman, I won't be called names.
BLACKMAN
Names, sir! What names did I call you?
BLUNTLY
Did not you call me your friend? I assure you, sir, I am not used to be called names. I am but a servant whose character is every thing – and I'll let you know that I am not your friend.
BLACKMAN
Why, you blockhead, does not your master call himself my friend?
BLUNTLY
Yes, my master is a great man, and he can get a place without a character, – but if I lose mine, I am ruined; therefore take care how you miscal me for the future, for I assure you I won't bear it. I am not your friend, and you shall find I am not.
[Exit (in great anger), Blackman following.