Page:Under the Gaslight.djvu/17

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haven't half enough gentlemen. Come, be jolly about it. You lovers are always afraid some one will carry your girls away.

Ray. (Uneasy.) I? I'm not afraid.

Pearl. Come, come! I never saw such a restless fellow.

( enters with coat, )

. Here's your coat, sir.

Mrs. Van D. Give it to me. I'm determined you shan't go. (Takes coat carelessly.) I'll make you a promise—if isn't here in fifteen minutes you shall have your coat, and may go for her.

Ray. Well, I suppose I'll have to wait.

Mrs Van D. There; take him off,. ( goes up with . To .) Here take this back. (Flings coat to . As she does so, letters drop from it.) Well, there's a mess! ( and another lady run forward and pick up letters.) Love letters, of course! (Smelling them.) Perfumed to suffocation.

Sue Earlie. Here's one for. It's unsealed and not delivered.

Mrs. Van D. (Tremolo waltz music.) A fair prize! Let's see it. (Music. Takes and opens it. Puts on eye-glasses and reads.) "Laura"—Well, come! That's cool for a lover. "I have heard all from"something scratched out—ah!—"Your sister, —Your obscure origin—terrible family connexions—the secret of the tie which binds you to a drunken wretch—My mother, Society—will demand of me a wife who will not blush to own her kindred,—or start at the name of outcast and thief!

"Signed,

(All stand speechless and look at each other. All this time the rest have been dancing.)

Sue Earlie. What can it mean?

Mrs. Van D. It means that the rumors of ten years ago are proven. It was then suspected that the girl whom Mrs. brought every year from some unnamed place in the country, and introduced to everybody as her niece, was an impostor, which that foolish woman, in a freak of generosity, was thrusting upon society. The rumors died out for want of proof and before beauty and dignity but now they are confirmed. She is some beggar's child.

Sue Earlie. What do you think we ought to do? ( surrenders to, and comes down.)

Mrs. Van D. Tell it tell it everywhere, of course. The best blood of New York is insulted by the girl's presence. ( coming down.)

Ray. What have you three girls got your heads together for? Some conspiracy, I know.

Mrs. Van D. (To ladies.) Go girls—tell it everywhere.

Ray. (As the ladies distribute themselves about the groups.) What is it all about? Your face is like a portrait of mystery.

Mrs. Van D. (Shewing letter.) Look at this, and tell me what it means.

Ray. (Quickly) Where did you get this?

Mrs. Van D. It is you who must answer—and Society that will question. So is not a ?

Ray. (Overcome.) You know, then,

Mrs. Van D. Everything; and will you marry this creature? You cannot. Society will not permit your sacrifice.