Love's Comedy - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
FALK.
You've had to wince Beneath a crus.h.i.+ng load of obligations That you'd send packing, if good form permitted.
That's what's the matter.
STIVER.
Monstrous accusations!
My legal debts I've honestly acquitted; But other bonds next month are falling due; [To GULDSTAD.
When a man weds, you see, he gets a wife--
FALK [triumphant].
Now your youth's heaven once again is blue; There rang an echo from your old song-life!
That's how it is: I read you thro' and thro'; Wings, wings were all you wanted,--and a knife!
STIVER.
A knife?
FALK.
Yes, Resolution's knife, to sever Each captive bond, and set you free for ever, To soar--
STIVER [angrily].
Nay, now you're insolent beyond Endurance! Me to charge with violation Of law,--me, me with plotting to abscond!
It's libellous, malicious defamation, Insult and calumny--
FALK.
Are you insane?
What is all this about? Explain! Explain!
GULDSTAD [laughingly to STIVER].
Yes, clear your mind of all this balderdas.h.!.+
What do you want?
STIVER [pulling himself together].
A trifling loan in cash.
FALK.
A loan!
STIVER [hurriedly to GULDSTAD].
That is, I mean to say, you know, A voucher for a ten pound note, or so.
MISS JAY [to LIND and ANNA].
I wish you joy! How lovely, how delicious!
GULDSTAD [going up to the ladies].
Pray what has happened?
[To himself.] This was unpropitious.
FALK [throws his arms about STIVER's neck].
Hurrah! the trumpet's dulcet notes proclaim A brother born to you in Amor's name!
[Drags him to the others.
MISS JAY [to the gentlemen].
Think! Lind and Anna--think!--have plighted hearts, Affianced lovers!
MRS. HALM [with tears of emotion].
'Tis the eighth in order Who well-provided from this house departs; [To FALK.
Seven nieces wedded-always with a boarder-- [Is overcome; presses her handkerchief to her eyes.
MISS JAY [to ANNA].
Well, there will come a flood of gratulation!
[Caresses her with emotion.
LIND [seizing FALK's hand].
My friend, I walk in rapt intoxication!
FALK.
Hold! As a plighted man you are a member Of Rapture's Temperance-a.s.sociation.
Observe it's rules;--no orgies here, remember!
[Turning to GULDSTAD sympathetically.
Well, my good sir!
GULDSTAD [beaming with pleasure].
I think this promises All happiness for both.
FALK [staring at him].
You seem to stand The shock with exemplary self-command.
That's well.
GULDSTAD.
What do you mean, sir?
FALK.
Only this; That inasmuch as you appeared to feed Fond expectations of your own--
GULDSTAD.
Indeed?
FALK.
At any rate, you were upon the scent.
You named Miss Halm; you stood upon this spot And asked me--
GULDSTAD [smiling].
There are two, though, are there not?
FALK.
It was--the other sister that you meant?
GULDSTAD.
That sister, yes, the other one,--just so.
Judge for yourself, when you have come to know That sister better, if she has not in her Merits which, if they were divined, would win her A little more regard than we bestow.
