Next Door Neighbours Part 8

_Enter_ ELEANOR.

BLACKMAN. [_Aside._ My lodger! ah! ah! (_To her in a whisper_) You may stay another quarter. [_Exit._

SIR GEORGE.

(_To_ Eleanor) I am glad to see you.--Bluntly--

[_Makes a sign to him to leave the room._

 

BLUNTLY.

Sir?

[SIR GEORGE _waves his hand and nods his head a second time_.

BLUNTLY.

Sir?----

[_Still affecting not to understand him._

SIR GEORGE.

I bid you go. [_Angrily._

BLUNTLY.

You bid me go, sir?--Oh yes, sir.--Very well, sir.--But indeed, sir, I did not hear you before, sir.--Indeed I did not.

[_Bows, and exit with reluctance, which_ ELEANOR _observes_.

ELEANOR.

Pardon me, sir.--I understood my brother was here, but I find he is not.

SIR GEORGE.

He is but this instant gone, and will return immediately.--Stay then with me till he comes. (_Takes her hand._) Surely you cannot refuse to remain with me a few moments; especially as I have a great deal to say to you that may tend to your advantage.

Why do you cast your eyes with such impatience on that door? (_Goes and locks it._) There, now you may look at it in vain.

ELEANOR.

For heaven sake, why am I locked in?

SIR GEORGE.

Because you should not escape.

ELEANOR.

That makes me resolve I will--Open the door, sir. [_Going to it._

SIR GEORGE.

Nay, listen to me. Your sentiments, I make no doubt, are formed from books.

ELEANOR.

No, from misfortunes--yet more instructive.

SIR GEORGE.

You shall never know misfortune more--you, nor your relations.--But this moment I presented your brother with a sum of money, and he left me with professions of the deepest grat.i.tude.

ELEANOR.

My brother!--Has he received money from you? Ah! he promised me he'd not disgrace his family.

SIR GEORGE.

How! Family, indeed!

ELEANOR.

I cannot remain here a moment longer. Open the door, sir--open it immediately. [_Raising her voice._

BLUNTLY. [_Without._ Sir, sir, sir,--open the door, if you please--you are wanted, sir.

SIR GEORGE.

S'death! who can want me in such haste? [_Opens the door, and appears confounded._

_Enter_ BLUNTLY.

SIR GEORGE.

Well, sir!

BLUNTLY.

----Did you call, sir?

SIR GEORGE.

It was _you_ who called, sir.

BLUNTLY.

Who, I, sir?

SIR GEORGE.

Yes, sir, you--Who wants me?

BLUNTLY. [_Looking at_ ELEANOR.

Perhaps it was _you_ that called, Ma'am.

ELEANOR.

It _was_ I that called: and pray be so kind as to conduct me to my own lodgings.

[BLUNTLY _offers her his hand_.

SIR GEORGE.

Dare not to touch her--or to stay another moment in the room.--Begone.

[BLUNTLY _looks at_ ELEANOR _aside, and points to the pistol; then bows humbly, and retires_.

SIR GEORGE.

And now, my fair Lucretia----