Fontainbleau Part 4

_Lack._ Ha! ha! ha! very clever--smart and clever!--Oh, you vile dog!

[_Aside._] As you're English, I feel an attachment;--harkye--a d.a.m.ned sharping place, this--you may profit by my advice; avoid strangers, particularly our own countrymen;--all upon the sharp--they'll introduce themselves, intrude their conversation, amuse you with some flam of their families, and spending fortunes, and losses; and the story generally ends in borrowing money from you, that is, if you are fool enough to lend it.--Now, my dear sir, 'tis my pleasure to warn a gentleman, like you, of the tricks and deceptions, of these sort of fellows.

_Sir J. B._ I'm very much obliged to you--give me your hand--will you eat a bit of mutton with us?

_Lack._ Sir, I should be proud of the honour, but something awkward--this dishabille!--and as I understand you have ladies, you know, they expect a man--the fellow here over the way, detains a handsome suit of mine, only for--sir, if you could oblige me with a guinea, I should repay you with many thanks.

_Sir J. B._ What, when the arables come back!--A guinea--well, I don't mind as far as--distress in a strange country, is--what's your name?

_Lack._ Lackland, at your service.

_Sir J. B._ A guinea, you say--there, Mr. Lackland----

[_Gives a Guinea._

_Lack._ Sir, I am eternally obliged to you.--I fancy I may pa.s.s in these clothes, eh?

_Sir J. B._ Yes, yes, you may pa.s.s--[_Aside._]--for a shoplifter.

_Lack._ Waiter! [_Calling._]--If you'll give me leave, I'll treat you with a flask of most excellent champagne.

[_Goes to Tavern._

_Sir J. B._ Treat with champagne! my own money too!--champagne! and I doubt if the fellow has got a s.h.i.+rt to his ruffles.

_Lack._ Upon my soul, you're a very fine old gentleman!--mind my advice--I warn you against our countrymen--they'll only borrow your money, and laugh at you after!--Ha! ha! ha!

_Sir J. B._ Ha! ha! ha! So they'll laugh at me after! Ha! ha! ha!

_Lack._ Now you know their tricks; mind you keep your hand on your cash.

_Sir J. B._ Yes, yes; the moment they talk of Throgmorton Street, you may be sure I will, ha! ha! ha!

_Lack._ Ha! ha! ha! very well--Ha! ha! ha!--Bless your jolly face, how a laugh becomes it! Ha! ha! ha!

_Sir J. B._ My jolly face!--good--Ha! ha! ha!

_Lack._ Ha! ha! ha! I'm thinking how surprised you'll be, when I pay you this guinea to-morrow!

_Sir J. B._ I shall be surprised, indeed!

_Lack._ Ay, I have bought my experience by wholesale.

_Sir J. B._ Yes, and you now retail it out at a guinea a dose.

_Lack._ My dear sir, I shall always acknowledge myself your debtor.

_Sir J. B._ I dare say you will.

_Enter second WAITER._

_Lack._ Show a room, scoundrel! and change for a guinea.

[_Exeunt, laughing._

SCENE II.

_A Chamber at LAPOCHE'S House.--Folding Doors a little open._

_Enter ROSA, reading._

Rosa.

_Canst thou forget, what tears that moment fell, When, warm in youth, I bade the world farewell!

As with cold lips I kiss'd the sacred veil, The shrines all trembled, and the lamps grew pale._

Poor Eloisa in her cloister, spoke my sentiments!--I begin to repent my elopement.--By this time the abbess has heard of my departure from the convent.--Heigho! I wonder if Lord Winlove has got my letter--I wish he was come!

AIR.--ROSA.

_Oh, ling'ring time! why with us stay, When absent love we mourn?

And why so nimbly glide away, At our true love's return?_

_Ah, gentle time! the youth attend, Whose absence here I mourn; The cheerful hours, in pity, send, That bring my love's return!_

_I feel my heart with rapture beat, No longer shall I mourn; My lover soon, with smiles I'll meet, And hail his dear return._

_Enter NANNETTE._

_Nan._ Madam, here's a gentleman wants----

_Rosa._ My Lord Winlove himself!--Why didn't I wish sooner?

[_Exit NANNETTE._

_Enter LORD WINLOVE._

_Lord W._ My charming Rosa!

_Rosa._ Oh, my lord!