Page:Passions 2.pdf/428

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416
THE SECOND MARRIAGE:

more respectable, and when differently circumstanced she may become so.

Mor. Go to him thyself, Beaumont: I am an old man; my life's bark has been long buffeted about on a stormy sea, and I have seen cruel sights. I do not look upon my fellow-men with the same gentle eye as thou dost: I cannot love them myself, but I love thee because thou dost it: so e'en take me home to thine own house; no other house will I enter; and let me have an arm chair by thy fire-side to end my days in, where I may sit at my ease and grumble at the whole human race.

Bea. No, no! you shall see all your relations; and love them too, and do what is right by every one of them.

Mor. Do it for me then: I can't be troubled with it. Take my fortune into your own hands and dispose of it as you please.

Bea. No; you shall do it yourself; and the blessings of those you bestow it upon shall fall on your own head undivided and unintercepted.

Mor. I will take the simplest and shortest way of settling my fortune; I will give it all to your son.

Bea. (stretching himself up with a proud smile.) Yes, if he will have it.

(Enter William B. with great animation.)

Will. I've seen her father! I've seen her!

Bea. Who have you seen?