Next Door Neighbours Part 14

Lady Caroline Seymour, sir, is at the door in her carriage, and will not be denied admittance. She says she must see you upon some very urgent business.

MANLY. [_To_ WILLFORD _and_ ELEANOR.

Will you do me the favour to step for a moment into this room? Lady Caroline will not stay long. I'll not detain you.

[_Exit_ WILLFORD _and_ ELEANOR.

_Enter_ LADY CAROLINE.

LADY CAROLINE.

Dear Mr. Manly, I have a thousand apologies to make--And yet I am sure you will excuse the subject of my visit, when you consider----

MANLY.

Your ladys.h.i.+p will please to sit down.

[_He draws chairs and they sit._

LADY CAROLINE.

You cannot be ignorant, Mr. Manly--you must know, the terms of acquaintance on which Sir George Splendorville and I have been, for some time past?--you were his father's agent; his chief solicitor; and although you are not employed by Sir George, yet the state of his affairs cannot be concealed from you--Has he, or has he not, any inheritance yet to come?

MANLY.

Pardon me, madam--though not entrusted by Sir George, I will, nevertheless, keep his secrets.

LADY CAROLINE.

That is plainly telling me he is worth nothing.

MANLY.

By no means--Sir George, in spite of his profusion, must still be rich. He has preserved his large estate in Wales; and as to money, I do not doubt but he has a considerable sum.

LADY CAROLINE.

Not a guinea. I won it all from him last night.

MANLY.

You? You, who are to become his wife?

LADY CAROLINE.

I might, had I not been thus fortunate. But why should I marry him, when his riches are mine, without that ceremony.

MANLY.

Inconsiderate man!--what will be the end of his imprudence! Yet, Heaven be praised! he has still that fine estate, I just now mentioned.

LADY CAROLINE.

Indeed he has not--that has belonged to me these three months.

MANLY.

To you!

LADY CAROLINE.

Yes--Bought for me under another name by agents; and for half its value.

MANLY.

Madman!--Yet your ladys.h.i.+p must excuse me. I know your income stinted, and till the death of the Earl, your father, where could you raise sufficient to make even half the purchase.

LADY CAROLINE.

From Splendorville's own prodigality--from lavish presents made to me by him.

_Enter_ SERVANT.

SERVANT.

Sir George Splendorville, sir, desires to speak with you--he is at the door with Mr. Blackman.

LADY CAROLINE.

Oh Heavens! do not let him see me here.

[_She is hastening to the room where_ WILLFORD _and his daughter are._

MANLY.

I have company there--walk in here, if you Please.

[_Shows her another door and she enters._

MANLY. [_To the servant._ Desire Sir George to walk in.

_Enter_ SIR GEORGE _and_ BLACKMAN.

MANLY.

Sir George, do me the favour to sit down.

[_He looks coolly on_ BLACKMAN, _and pointing to a chair says_ Good morning. _They sit._

SIR GEORGE.

Mr. Manly, my attorney will let you know the business on which I am come.

BLACKMAN.

Why yes, Mr. Manly, it is extremely hard that Sir George has for so long a time been kept out of a very large part of his fortune; particularly, as he has had occasion for it.

SIR GEORGE.

I have had occasion for it I a.s.sure you Mr. Manly; and I have occasion for it at this very time.

MR. MANLY.

But so may the person, sir, from whom you would take it. In a word, Sir George, neither your lawyer nor you, shall prevail on me to give up the trust reposed in me by your father, without certain evidence, that your sister will never come to make her claim.

BLACKMAN.

You are not afraid of ghosts, are you?

MANLY.

No, nor of robbers either:----you cannot frighten me, Mr. Blackman.

BLACKMAN.

Then depend upon it, the sister of Sir George can never appear in any other manner than as a spirit. For, here, sir, (_taking from his pocket a parcel of papers_) here are authentic letters to prove her death. (SIR GEORGE _looks confused_.)