See me happy, father!—Oh, oh! be happy yourself, and think not of that.
ARDEN.
How so, boy? Shalt thou not be happy?
MRS. ARDEN (taking her son's hand tenderly).
Shalt thou not be happy with us, my son? Shall thy father and I, united as we may now be in sober domestic peace, not have the blessedness of seeing thee happy?
YOUNG ARDEN (with kindled animation).
Yes, mother; you shall see it: you shall see me happy. I shall look upon my father and you in your domestic peace, and feel a kind of fearful happiness.
MRS. ARDEN.
O! what words are these?
ARDEN.
Let us go into the house. I must be alone with thee, Edmond: I must strain thee to my yearning heart in privacy.
(As they are about to go into the house, a party of men hurst in upon them from the small gate, which has been left unlocked, and lay hold ofYoung Arden.)
