JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, WASHINGTON IRVING
163
Mary.) Come, I think I've got you pretty well out of the scrape, hey?
Chas. Captain Copp, I am aware of all that passed at your house.
Copp. Ah! your majesty knows, that he who cracks a joke must not complain if he should chance to pinch his fingers.
Chas. True, Captain. But was there not question of one Rochester?
Copp. Why, craving your majesty's pardon, I did let slip some hard truths about him.
Roch. And do you know him of whom you spoke so bluntly?
Copp. Not I, thank heaven! But I only said, what everybody says—and what everybody says, you know, must be true.
Chas. Spoken like an oracle—and did not you say, that this pretty lass was his niece?
Copp. Ay, as to that matter, I'll stick to that, proof in hand. Make a reverence, Mary, and no thanks to Rochester for the relationship.
Chas. I will take care that he shall make a suitable provision for his niece, or provide her an honourable husband.
Roch. I can assure your majesty, you only anticipated his intentions.
Copp. Avast there!—I don't give up my girl.
Roch. But you will choose a match suited to her noble family.
Copp. I'll choose for her an honest man; but no ranticumscout companion to suit that Earl of Rochester you talk of.—(Chuckling and winking.) To tell the truth between friends, and all in confidence, I had a match in my eye, a young music master.—Nay, don't blush, girl—I know there was a sneaking kindness in the case.
Chas. I oppose that match. That young man received a ring last night, but has not had the honesty, like Captain Copp, to seek the owner.
(Mary involuntarily springs forward to defend Edward against the charge, which Lady Clara and Rochester observe and smile at.)
Edw. (Advancing.) He only waited a suitable moment to return it to your majesty. (Kneels and presents it.)
Chas. How! Edward!—The resemblance is no longer a wonder.
Copp. What, little crotchet and quaver! Aha! ha! ha! there's witchcraft in all this.
Mary. Oh, heavens! Georgini a gentleman! But my heart knew it.
Chas. It is in vain, Lady Clara, to attempt concealment. Behold the heroes of the adventure.
Lady C. Pardon me, sire, I knew it all along—I was in the plot.
Chas. How?
Lady C. Her majesty, the queen, was at the head of it. If the earl be guilty, it is we who induced him, and should undergo the punishment.
Chas. I understand the whole. But the treachery of this earl I cannot forgive. He shall not obtain my pardon.
Lady C. (Producing a paper.) It is already obtained. Your majesty, ever merciful, has signed it.
Chas. What! he, too, is the author for whom you have interested yourself.—Ha! ha! ha! fairly taken in at all points. Rochester, thou hast conquered.
(Rochester kneels.)
Copp. (Passionately.) Thunder and lightning! this man Rochester!—come along, girl, come along!
Mary. What, can he be that hard-hearted man? He does not look so cruel, uncle.
Copp. (Taking her under his arm.) Come along, girl, come along.
Roch. One moment, Captain Copp. (Copp stops, and looks fiercely at him.) It is true, I am Rochester—a sad fellow, no doubt, since all the world says so—but there is one grievous sin which I will not take to my conscience, for it is against beauty. I am not the Rochester who disclaimed this lovely girl—he was my predecessor, and is dead.
Copp. (Sternly.) Dead!—gone to his long reckoning.—(Pauses.) May Heaven deal kindlier with him than he did with this orphan child!
Mary. That's my own uncle!
Chas. I have pardoned you, Rochester; but my eyes are opened to the follies which I have too frequently partaken. From this night I abjure them.
Roch. And I, my liege, (Bowing to Lady Clara) will mortify myself with matrimony, and hope to reform into a very rational and submissive husband. (Taking Lady Clara's hand.)
Chas. There yet remains a party to be disposed of. What say you, Captain Copp?—What say you, my Lord of Rochester? Must we not find a husband for our niece?
Copp. Fair and softly, your majesty—-
