Page:Passions 2.pdf/88

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76
THE ELECTION:

brass penny for you before, who will not fill a bumper to your health now, for saving to them his noble and liberal Honour. O, Sir! the blessings of every body will be upon your head now.

Balt. (turning away frowningly from Sim.) So, so!

Mrs. B. Old Simeon says very true: every body will bless you.

Balt. (turning away from her.) This is pleasant, indeed!

Char. I'll be hang'd if every old woman in the parish don't foist you into her next Sunday's prayers, along with the Royal Family.

Balt. (turning away from Char.) Must I be beleager'd by every fool? (goes hastily towards the door.)

Mrs. B. (aside, running after him.) You will not go away so abruptly?

Balt. (aside, to her.) Will there be no end to this damned gratitude? (about, to Free.) Sir, I am very happy—I—I hope you will have a good sleep after this accident; and I shall be happy to hear good accounts of you to-morrow morning.

Free. No, Mr. Baltimore, we must not part thus. My gratitude for what you have done is not to be spent in words only: that is not my way. I resign to you and resign to you, most cheerfully, all my interest in the borough of Westown.
(Balt. pauses.)

True. That is nobly said, Mr. Freeman, and I expected it from you.