Page:Representative American plays.pdf/142

Rh SCENE 3. An xipartment at Isabella's.

{Enter Isabella, meeting Lucy.)

IsA. Speak ; is he yet in sight *? Lucy. No, madam.

IsA. Go,

! go again, good Lucy, and be swift When he appears. {Exit Lucy.) My

poor, poor boy ! my Charles — To be thus treated, and thy gentle heart So full of kindness to all living crea- tures : To have thy asjDirations after fame, Thus rudely scorn'd, thy youthful hopes

thus blighted ! But he deserves it not ; there 's comfort

yet,

And he may rise above it. — Not yet

come. He promis'd, and he would not break

his word. And to his mother, without serious

cause — The way is full of peril, and I Iviiow His temper shuns not danger. Gracious

Heav'n ! If I should lose him — him, the only

being —

{Enter Lucy, hastily.)

Now, Lucy, quick ! Lucy. Madam, he is in sight ;

And flj' ing up the avenue. ISA. Thank Heaven !

{Enter Charles.)

Charles. Mother !

IsA. My sou. {Falls into his arms.)

Charles. My. ever dearest mother !

ISA. O Charles, how could you thus delay your coming'?

The night was pass'd in watch. Charles. I gi-ieve to know it

I was benighted in the forest, mother.

And lost my way. ISA. Alas ! thou art spent with toil.

Charles. Not much.

IsA. Poor Charles: And so they

have expelled thee —

Expeird ! Charles. Nay, piy'thee let ns forget it. ISA. " Wretches !

I could have borne all else — but to dis- grace thee —

To spurn thee from them — thee ! I could endure

The daily persecutions that assail me

With patience and with firmness — But I

have the'e. Come, let us in: you need rest and re- freshment. You shall not leave me soon again, my

son — I am a child without you. Charles. {Aside.) My poor mother.

IsA. But let us in — Charles. I '11 follow you, my mother.

I will but give an order. {Exit Isabella.) Edward.

{Enter Edward.)

Edw. Sir.

Charles. Go, get my rapier ready, wrap it close, And some hour hence, not later, choose

a time. And speed with it to the wood, east of the

village. There wait my coming. Edw. Yes, sir.

Charles. But be sure

That no one see it. Edw. I '11 be careful, sir.

{Exit Edward.)

{Enter Isabella.)

ISA. Fve, sir; is this your breeding*? must

I wait? Charles. Forgive me, madam, I am ready

now. {Exeunt.)

END OP ACT TWO.

ACT THIRD.

Scene 1. An open Wood. {Enter Charles, followed hy Edward.)

Charles. Give me the sword; remain at

the edge of the wood; If any one approach, haste to inform me. {Exit Edward.) I am here first, 'tis well. My mother

thinks It is a softer interview I seek ; And while she cautioned me, her sad smile

seem'd To sanction what she fear'd. My dear,

kind mother. And should I fall — well : it would be my

fate. We are but barques npon the sea of life. And when the storm is up, we greet the

port,