The Hunchback Part 19

When first I saw you, little did I look To be so happy!--Clifford!

_Clif_. Madam?

_Julia_. Madam!

I call thee Clifford, and thou call'st me madam!

_Clif_. Such the address my duty stints me to.

Thou art the wife elect of a proud Earl, Whose humble secretary, sole, am I.

_Julia_. Most right! I had forgot! I thank you, sir, For so reminding me; and give you joy, That what, I see, had been a burthen to you, Is fairly off your hands.

_Clif_. A burthen to me!

Mean you yourself? Are you that burthen, Julia?

Say that the sun's a burthen to the earth!

Say that the blood's a burthen to the heart!

Say health's a burthen, peace, contentment, joy, Fame, riches, honours! everything that man Desires, and gives the name of blessing to E'en such a burthen, Julia were to me, Had fortune let me wear her.

_Julia_. [Aside.] On the brink Of what a precipice I'm standing! Back, Back! while the faculty remains to do't!

A minute longer, not the whirlpool's self More sure to suck me down! One effort! There!

[She returns to her seat, recovers her self-possession, takes up the letter, and reads.]

To wed to-morrow night! Wed whom? A man Whom I can never love! I should before Have thought of that. To-morrow night! This hour To-morrow! How I tremble! Happy bands To which my heart such freezing welcome gives, As sends an ague through me! At what means Will not the desperate s.n.a.t.c.h! What's honour's price?

Nor friends, nor lovers,--no, nor life itself!

Clifford! This moment leave me!

[CLIFFORD retires up the stage out of JULIA'S sight.]

Is he gone?

O docile lover! Do his mistress' wish That went against his own! Do it so soon Ere well 'twas uttered! No good-bye to her!

No word! no look! 'Twas best that he so went!

Alas, the strait of her, who owns that best, Which last she'd wish were done? What's left me now?

To weep! To weep!

[Leans her head upon her arm, which rests upon the desk,--her other arm hanging listlessly at her side. CLIFFORD comes down the stage, looks a moment at her, approaches her, and kneeling, takes her hand.]

_Clif_. My Julia!

_Julia_. Here again!

Up! up! By all thy hopes of Heaven, go hence!

To stay's perdition to me! Look you, Clifford!

Were there a grave where thou art kneeling now, I'd walk into 't, and be inearthed alive, Ere taint should touch my name! Should some one come And see thee kneeling thus! Let go my hand!

Remember, Clifford, I'm a promised bride-- And take thy arm away! It has no right To clasp my waist! Judge you so poorly of me, As think I'll suffer this? My honour, sir!

[She breaks from him, quitting her seat.]

I'm glad you've forced me to respect myself-- You'll find that I can do so!

_Clif_. I was bold-- Forgetful of your station and my own; There was a time I held your hand unchid!

There was a time I might have clasped your waist-- I had forgot that time was past and gone!

I pray you, pardon me!

_Julia_. [Softened.] I do so, Clifford.

_Clif_. I shall no more offend.

_Julia_. Make sure of that.

No longer is it fit thou keep'st thy post In's lords.h.i.+p's household. Give it up! A day-- An hour remain not in it!

_Clif_. Wherefore?

_Julia_. Live In the same house with me, and I another's?

Put miles, put leagues between us! The same land Should not contain us. Oceans should divide us-- With barriers of constant tempests--such As mariners durst not tempt! O Clifford!

Rash was the act so light that gave me up, That stung a woman's pride, and drove her mad-- Till in her frenzy she destroyed her peace!

Oh, it was rashly done! Had you reproved-- Expostulated,--had you reasoned with me-- Tried to find out what was indeed my heart,-- I would have shown it--you'd have seen it. All Had been as naught can ever be again!

_Clif_. Lovest thou me, Julia?

_Julia_. Dost thou ask me, Clifford?

_Clif_. These nuptials may be shunned!--

_Julia_. With honour?

_Clif_. Yes!

_Julia_. Then take me!--Stop--hear me, and take me then!

Let not thy pa.s.sion be my counsellor!

Deal with me, Clifford, as my brother. Be The jealous guardian of my spotless name!

Scan thou my cause as 'twere thy sister's. Let Thy scrutiny o'erlook no point of it,-- Nor turn it over once, but many a time:-- That flaw, speck--yea,--the shade of one,--a soil So slight, not one out of a thousand eyes Could find it out, may not escape thee; then Say if these nuptials can be shunned with honour!

_Clif_. They can.

_Julia_. Then take me, Clifford! [They embrace.]

_Wal_. [Entering.] Ha! What's this?

Ha! treason! What! my baronet that was, My secretary now? Your servant, sir!

Is't thus you do the pleasure of your lord,-- That for your service feeds you, clothes you, pays you!

Or takest thou but the name of his dependent?

What's here?--a letter. Fifty crowns to one A forgery! I'm wrong. It is his hand.

This proves thee double traitor!

_Clif_. Traitor!

_Julia_. Nay, Control thy wrath, good Master Walter! Do-- And I'll persuade him to go hence--

[MASTER WALTER retires up the stage.] I see For me thou bearest this, and thank thee, Clifford!

As thou hast truly shown thy heart to me, So truly I to thee have opened mine!

Time flies! To-morrow! If thy love can find A way, such as thou saidst, for my enlargement By any means thou canst, apprise me of it; And, soon as shown, I'll take it.