按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
free discourses which I have had with myself。
LORD TOUCH。 Come； I beg your pardon that I overheard you； and
yet it shall not need。 Honest Maskwell！ Thy and my good genius led
me hither。 Mine； in that I have discovered so much manly virtue； thine；
in that thou shalt have due reward of all thy worth。 Give me thy hand。
My nephew is the alone remaining branch of all our ancient family： him
I thus blow away； and constitute thee in his room to be my heir …
MASK。 Now heaven forbid …
LORD TOUCH。 No moreI have resolved。 The writings are ready
drawn； and wanted nothing but to be signed； and have his name inserted。
Yours will fill the blank as well。 I will have no reply。 Let me command
this time； for 'tis the last in which I will assume authority。 Hereafter； you
shall rule where I have power。
MASK。 I humbly would petition …
72
… Page 73…
THE DOUBLE…DEALERA COMEDY
LORD TOUCH。 Is't for yourself？ ＇MASKWELL pauses。＇ I'll
hear of nought for anybody else。
MASK。 Then witness heaven for me； this wealth and honour was not
of my seeking； nor would I build my fortune on another's ruin。 I had but
one desire …
LORD TOUCH。 Thou shalt enjoy it。 If all I'm worth in wealth or
interest can purchase Cynthia； she is thine。 I'm sure Sir Paul's consent
will follow fortune。 I'll quickly show him which way that is going。
MASK。 You oppress me with bounty。 My gratitude is weak； and
shrinks beneath the weight； and cannot rise to thank you。 What； enjoy
my love！ Forgive the transports of a blessing so unexpected； so unhoped
for； so unthought of！
LORD TOUCH。 I will confirm it； and rejoice with thee。
SCENE IV。
MASKWELL alone。
MASK。 This is prosperous indeed。 Why let him find me out a
villain； settled in possession of a fair estate； and full fruition of my love；
I'll bear the railings of a losing gamester。 But should he find me out
before！ 'Tis dangerous to delay。 Let me think。 Should my lord proceed
to treat openly of my marriage with Cynthia； all must be discovered； and
Mellefont can be no longer blinded。 It must not be； nay； should my lady
know itay； then were fine work indeed！ Her fury would spare nothing；
though she involved herself in ruin。 No； it must be by stratagem。 I
must deceive Mellefont once more； and get my lord to consent to my
private management。 He comes opportunely。 Now will I； in my old
way； discover the whole and real truth of the matter to him； that he may
not suspect one word on't。
No mask like open truth to cover lies； As to go naked is the best
disguise。
SCENE V。
＇To him＇ MELLEFONT。
73
… Page 74…
THE DOUBLE…DEALERA COMEDY
MEL。 O Maskwell； what hopes？ I am confounded in a maze of
thoughts； each leading into one another； and all ending in perplexity。 My
uncle will not see nor hear me。
MASK。 No matter； sir； don't trouble your head： all's in my power。
MEL。 How？ For heaven's sake？
MASK。 Little do you think that your aunt has kept her word。 How
the devil she wrought my lord into this dotage； I know not； but he's gone
to Sir Paul about my marriage with Cynthia； and has appointed me his
heir。
MEL。 The devil he has！ What's to be done？
MASK。 I have it； it must be by stratagem； for it's in vain to make
application to him。 I think I have that in my head that cannot fail。
Where's Cynthia？
MEL。 In the garden。
MASK。 Let us go and consult her： my life for yours； I cheat my
lord。
SCENE VI。
LORD TOUCHWOOD； LADY TOUCHWOOD。
LADY TOUCH。 Maskwell your heir； and marry Cynthia！
LORD TOUCH。 I cannot do too much for so much merit。
LADY TOUCH。 But this is a thing of too great moment to be so
suddenly resolved。 Why Cynthia？ Why must he be married？ Is there
not reward enough in raising his low fortune； but he must mix his blood
with mine； and wed my niece？ How know you that my brother will
consent； or she？ Nay； he himself perhaps may have affections
otherwhere。
LORD TOUCH。 No； I am convinced he loves her。
LADY TOUCH。 Maskwell love Cynthia？ Impossible！
LORD TOUCH。 I tell you he confessed it to me。
LADY TOUCH。 Confusion！ How's this？ ＇Aside。＇
LORD TOUCH。 His humility long stifled his passion。 And his love
of Mellefont would have made him still conceal it。 But by
encouragement； I wrung the secret from him； and know he's no way to be
74
… Page 75…
THE DOUBLE…DEALERA COMEDY
rewarded but in her。 I'll defer my farther proceedings in it till you have
considered it； but remember how we are both indebted to him。
SCENE VII。
LADY TOUCHWOOD alone。
LADY TOUCH。 Both indebted to him！ Yes； we are both indebted
to him； if you knew all。 Villain！ Oh； I am wild with this surprise of
treachery： it is impossible； it cannot be。 He love Cynthia！ What； have
I been bawd to his designs； his property only； a baiting place？ Now I see
what made him false to Mellefont。 Shame and distraction！ I cannot bear
it； oh！ what woman can bear to be a property？ To be kindled to a flame；
only to light him to another's arms； oh！ that I were fire indeed that I might
burn the vile traitor。 What shall I do？ How shall I think？ I cannot
think。 All my designs are lost； my love unsated； my revenge unfinished；
and fresh cause of fury from unthought of plagues。
SCENE VIII。
＇To her＇ SIR PAUL。
SIR PAUL。 Madam； sister； my lady sister； did you see my lady my
wife？
LADY TOUCH。 Oh！ Torture！
SIR PAUL。 Gads…bud； I can't find her high nor low； w