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_Sus_. Only the whiteness o' the linin' as took my breath away, miss.
It ain't no use turnin' of _it_ up: you'll look like a lady whatever you do to hide it. But never mind: that ain't no disgrace so long as you don't look down on the rest of us. There, miss! There you are--fit for a play! Come along; I'll take care of you. Lawks! I'm as good as a man--_I_ am!
_Con_. Good-bye then, Mattie.
_Mat_. Good-bye, miss. G.o.d bless you.
_Exeunt_.
END OF ACT III.
ACT IV.
SCENE.--_The Studio_.
_Enter_ COL. G. _Walks about restless and eager_.
_Col. G._ Thank heaven! If Bill has found Mr. Warren now,--_Exit_.
_Enter_ WARREN.
_War_. What can the fellow be up to? There's something odd about him--something I don't like--but it can't mean mischief when he sends for me. Where could Gervaise have picked him up?--n.o.body here?
_Re-enter_ COL. G. _and hurries to him with outstretched hand_.
_Col. G._ My dear sir! I am greatly obliged to you. This is very kind.
_War_. (_stepping back_) Excuse me.--I do not understand.
_Col. G._ I beg your pardon. I ought to have explained.
_War_. I believe something of the sort _is_ necessary.
_Col. G._ You are my master's friend.
_War_. I should be proud of the honour. Can I be of any service to him?
_Col. G._ I believe I can trust you. I _will_ trust you--I am his father.
_War_. Whose father? Belzebub's?
_Col. G._ Arthur's--your friend Gervaise's. I am Sir Walter Gervaise.
You must help me to help him.
WARREN _regards him for a moment_.
_War_. (_stiffly_) Sir Walter, I owe your son much--you nothing yet. I am _his_ friend.
_Col. G._ There is not a moment to lose. Listen. An old man came about the place a few weeks ago, looking for his daughter. He has been got out of the way, but I have learned where he is: I want you to bring him.
_War_. I would serve your son blindfold: _you_ must excuse me if I wish to understand first.
_Col. G._ Arthur is in trouble. He has a secret.--G.o.d forgive me!--I feared it was a bad one.
_War_. You don't know him as I do!
_Col. G._ I know him now--and can help him. Only I can't _prove_ anything yet. I must have the old man. I've found his daughter, and suspect the villain: if I can bring the three together, all will come out, sure enough. The boy I sent for you will take you to the father.
He will trust you, and come. (_Bell rings_.) I must go to Arthur now.
_Exit_.
_War_. What a strange old fellow! An officer--and disguise himself!
_Enter_ BILL.
_Bill_. Here you are, sir!
_War_. No vast amount of information in that statement, my boy!
_Bill_. Well, sir--here _I_ are, sir.
_War_. That _is_ a trifle more to the point, though scarcely requiring mention.
_Bill_. Then, here _we_ are, sir.
_War_. That'll do--if you know what comes next?
_Bill_. I do, sir.
_War_. Go on, then.
_Bill_. Here goes! Come along, sir. You'll have to take a bobby, though.
_War_. We'll see about that. You go on.
_Exeunt_.
_Enter_ GERVAISE, followed by COL. G.
_Ger._ What a time you have been, William!
_Col. G._ I'm sorry, sir. Did you want anything?
_Ger._ No. But I don't like to be left. You are the only friend I have.
_Col. G._ Thank you, sir. A man _must_ do his duty, but it's a comfort when his colonel takes notice of it.
