John Poole

“ I see the danger, and must protect my pupil against the snares of these pernicious creatures. Poor lad! he is innocent, and knows not the seductive power of love. My example and instructions have so fortified his mind, so hardened his heart against all silly, soft impressions, that, thanks to me, he may hope to pass through life as becomes a philosopher—in a happy indifference to all its joys, its pleasures, and its cares. ”

“ Whose vigilance was at fault when I could contrive a secret marriage? Yours. My father has made you responsible for my actions: ergo: it is against you alone that my father will manifest his displeasure at my misconduct.
Poly. (His countenance gradually betraying his satisfaction.) The dear boy! He is indebted to me for his logic. Aristotle himself would have been proud of such a pupil. That’s something like conducting an argument. I have not a word to reply.
Charles. But there is no time to be lost; you must at once decide. ”

“ Molly. I have not done any harm, and I’m sure I did not think any harm. ’Tis no fault of mine if Robin is in love with me: he fell in love of his own accord, indeed he did.
Poly. Love! (looks fearfully about.) Silence!—If Charles should hear that dangerous word—Retire—Withdraw—begone.
Molly. (Bursting into tears.) O dearee me! Pray, good, kind Mr. Ignoramus, forgive me this once. 9Would you have it upon your conscience to turn a poor lass out of her service, and send her upon the wide world without a friend to protect her? ”

“ Molly. Yes, sir, if you please; and I repent it the more, seeing, as I do, the proofs of your innocence before me.
Poly. Light my lanthorn. (To Robin, who returns.) I am going to walk.
Robin. At this time, sir; and in such weather? Why it is pouring of rain.
Poly. No matter—I—I have a head-ache and want air. Begone! both of you, and woe be to you if I find either of you here at my return! (They go off.) There is not an instant to be lost. The poor innocent baby must not become a victim to the old man’s displeasure ”

“ Another door leading to the interior of the house. Globes, books, maps, &c. are scattered about.
Robin discovered, turning a globe. Robin. ’Tis an extraordinary thing, that, do what I will, I can’t make myself sensible. I turn the world topsy-turvy for hours together, as I see my young master, Mr. Charles, do; like Mr. Ignatius Polyglot, his tutor, I sometimes look into a book full of Greek or Latin; but all to no purpose. Ah! Mr. Polyglot must be in the right: he can’t bear the sight of a woman in the house, for fear Mr. Charles should fall in love, and neglect his studies ”

“ Charles is already in love; so the marriage comes opportunely.
Eustace. No objection! Why, till now, you have always held that no man ought to marry till he’s sixty; that is to say, till he has finished his education, and seen a little of the world. ”

“ Molly. O, sir, I have such news for you! You are the only one in the house who is kind to me, and now I’ll prove my gratitude. I’ll soon get the tutorer turned away, and make you your own master.
Charles. What do you mean?
Molly. I have discovered it at last. She is here after all.
Charles. Is the girl out of her senses?
27Molly. No, no; here’s proof! here’s the creature’s bonnet; and I’ve sent Robin to bring your father here.
Charles. Sent for my father! Unhappy girl, what have you done!
Molly. Lord, Mr. Charles, what ails you?
Charles. Alas! you know not the mischief you have effected. ”

“ Molly. An’t you ashamed of yourself, Mr. Ignoramus? You preach one thing and practise another. You would turn away a couple of poor servants because they love one another honestly, whilst you have a pretty dear concealed in your apartment. ”

“ Her kind protector! ’Tis but too true, then! The old hypocrite! thus to deceive me and dishonour my house! The monster shall instantly quit it, and for ever. Hush! some one approaches! ’tis he: silence, I command. ”

“ He goes directly, but cautiously, to the door.
Poly. (In an under tone.) Open—open quickly—’tis I. I have secured our precious charge. Now, quick; let us away, or we may be interrupted by old Argus.
Enter Harriet. Eustace. You are right, for old Argus has you.
Harriet. O, heavens! I’m lost! (Robin lights the candles.)
Eustace. No, madam, you are found. And you! Is it thus you repay the confidence I have reposed in you? Are you the man I have selected as a guide, as a monitor to my son? A female concealed in your apartment!
Charles. My dear father, I must no longer allow—
Eustace. Peace! ”

“ Molly, my dear—
Molly. Don’t whisper me; I’m not to be come over with soft words, that I can tell you. Here’s Mr. Tutorer, sir, who would turn away a poor lass for having an 21honest lover of her own, has got a—I don’t know what, locked up in his room.
Eustace. Why, how dare you accuse—
Molly. It is true enough, sir; and if it is not a woman, may I never be married! and I would not swear such a dreadful oath to a fib.
Eustace. A woman! ”

“ The mischievous truant! I’ll trim him for this. I beg pardon; I forgot I was speaking to you of a husband.—Ah! I can imagine by what arts he won your affections. He has often delighted me. He solved some difficult problem in Euclid for you, perhaps—talked Latin to you, eh? or Greek?
Harriet. Greek, sir! he merely said he loved me.
Poly. Where could he have picked up that! I never taught it him. But I always said the dear boy was blessed with a natural genius. And so you have taken advantage of his father’s absence, to get married?
19Harriet. No, sir; we have been married these four years. ”

“ Charles. This precipitate disclosure has rendered abortive our hopes of obtaining pardon from my father. Your malicious curiosity has destroyed the happiness of us all.
Molly. (Bursting into tears.) O, Mr. Charles, indeed, indeed, if I had but known——you, who are so good, so kind——. But dont’ee grieve, dont’ee now. I’ll die rather than harm you.—I’ll take all the blame upon myself.—There may yet be time; I’ll run and stop Robin. (Going.)
Robin. (Without.) This way, sir, this way.
Molly. O, I am indeed an unhappy girl. But, Mr. Charles, dear Mr. Charles, dont’ee be downcast. ”

“ Robin. No, no, we must not displease him; he’s steward as well as tutorer, and—
Molly. He’ll discharge us? let him. I’m not afeard of wanting a service. I have relations who are up in the world. I’m first cousin to Sally Maggs, who is head chambermaid at the Bell, at Winchester—Chattering Sally, as they call her, and well they may, for she is chatter, chatter, chatter—
Robin. In that respect, Molly, you don’t disgrace the relationship.
Molly. Discharge us, indeed! the sooner the better; 7we may then get married when we please. What does the foolish old chap mean by not liking folks to marry? ”