SIR GEORGE. Then, Lady, the wedding night! I saw you in your white satin night-gown; you would not come out of your dressing-room, till Sir George took you out by force. He drew you gently by the hand struggled blush'd; he but he was too strong for LADY. you Oh! stop there! go no farther!-He knows every thing. [Aside. ABIGAIL. Truly, Mr. Conjurer, I believe you have been a wag in your youth. SIR GEORGE. Mrs. Abigail, you know what your good word cost Sir George, a purse of broad pieces, Mrs. Abigail. ABIGAIL. The devil's in him. [Aside.] Pray, Sir, since you have told so far, you should tell my lady that I refus'd to take them. SIR GEORGE. 'Tis true, child, he was forc'd to thrust them into your bosom. ABIGAIL. This rogue will mention the thousand pound, if I don't take care. [Aside.] Pray, Sir, though you are a conjurer, methinks you need not be a blab LADY. Sir, since I have no reason to doubt of your art, I must beseech you to treat this apparition gentlyit has the resemblance of my deceas'd husband; if there be any undiscover'd secret, any thing that troubles his rest, learn it of him. SIR GEORGE. I must to that end be sincerely informed by you, whether your heart be engaged to another; have not you received the addresses of many lovers since his death? LADY. I have been oblig'd to receive more visits than have been agreeable. SIR GEORGE. Was not Tinsel welcome? I'm afraid to hear an answer to my own question. LADY. He was well recommended. [Aside. Death! [Aside.] And you still love him? I'm distracted! LADY. [Aside. No! I despise him. I found he had a design upon my fortune, was base, profligate, cowardly, and every thing that could be expected from a man of the vilest principles! I'm recover'd. SIR GEORGE. [Aside. ABIGAIL. Oh! Madam, had you seen how like a scoundrel he look'd when he left your Ladyship in a swoon. Where have you left my Lady? says I. In an elbow-chair, child, says he: and where are you going? says I. To town, child, says he: for to tell thee truly, child, says he, I don't care for living under the same roof with the devil, says he, SIR GEORGE. Well, Lady, I see nothing in all this that may hinder Sir George's spirit from being at rest. LADY. If he knows any thing of what passes in my heart, he cannot but be satisfied of that fondness which I bear to his memory. My sorrow for him is always fresh when I think of him. He was the kindest, truest, tenderest-Tears will not let me go on SIR GEORGE. I shall discover my- This quite o'erpowers meself before my time. [Aside.] now retire, and leave me to myself. Success attend you! LADY. ABIGAIL, I wish Mr. Fantome gets well off from this old don. I know he'll be with him immediately. [Exeunt Lady and Abigail. SIR GEORGE solus, My heart is now at ease, she is the same dear woman I left her-now for my revenge upon Fan tome- I shall cut the ceremonies short-a few words will do his business-now let me seat myself in form—a good easy chair for a conjurer this! now for a few mathematical scratches a good lucky scrawl, that—faith, I think it looks very astrological these two or three magical pot-hooks about it, make it a complete conjurer's scheme. [Drum beats.] Ha! ha! ha! Sir, are you there? Enter, Drummer. Now I must pore upon my paper. ENTER FANTOME, beating the drum. SIR GEORGE. Prithee, don't make a noise, I'm busy. [Fantome beats.]- A pretty march! prithee, beat that over [He beats and advances. again. SIR GEORGE, rising. Ha! You're very perfect in the step of a ghost. You stalk it majestically. [Fantome advances.] How the rogue stares! he acts it to admiration! I'll be hang'd if he has not been practising this half hour in Mrs. Abigail's wardrobe. a rap upon his drum.] fool! [Fantome beats.] this, good Mr. Fantome. FANTOME. [Fantome starts, gives Prithee, don't play the Nay, nay, enough of [Aside.] Death! I'm discover'd. This jade Abigail has betray'd me. SIR GEORGE. Mr. Fantome, upon the word of an astrologer, your thousand pound bribe will never gain my Lady Tru man. FANTOME. 'Tis plain she has told him all. [Aside. SIR GEORGE. Let me advise you to make off as fast as you can, or I plainly perceive, by my art, Mr. Ghost will have his bones broke, FANTOME. [To Sir George.] Look ye, old gentleman, I perceive you have learnt this secret from Mrs. Abigail. SIR GEORGE. I have learnt it from my art. FANTOME. Look ye, I Thy art! prithee, no more of that. know you are a cheat as much as I am. And if thou❜lt keep my counsel, I'll give thee ten broad pieces SIR GEORGE. I am not mercenary! young man, I scorn thy gold. FANTOME. I'll make them up twenty SIR GEORGE. Avaunt! and that quickly, or I'll raise such an apparition as shall FANTOME. An apparition, old gentleman! you mistake your man, I am not to be frighted with bugbears SIR GEORGE. Let me retire but for a few moments, and I will give thee such a proof of my art FANTOME. Why, if thou hast any hocus pocus tricks to play, why canst not do them here? |