JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, WASHINGTON IRVING
159
Mary. And not drink, nor rove about this way at night.
Chas. Not for the world.
Mary. And steal no more, for it will bring you to a shameful end.
Chas. (getting out of the window, assisted by Mary). An excellent sermon! But I must steal—one kiss to impress it on my memory!
Edw. Did he steal a kiss, Mary?
Mary. Oh, yes, he did indeed.
Edw. Stop thief! stop thief!
Chas. (descending outside). Tell uncle Copp to put it in the bill!
Edw. I hear them coming. (Looks out of the window.) He's safe down—he's off—(apart)—now I'm easy.
Mary. But what shall we say to my uncle?
Edw. I'll manage that; only say as I say, and fear nothing. (Copp heard outside the door.)
Copp. This way—this way.
Edw. Stop thief! stop thief! (To Mary.) Cry out as I do.
Mary (feebly). Stop the thief! stop the thief! I can't.
(Enter Copp, with a double-barrelled gun, followed by two Servants.)
Copp. Hollo—what the devil's to pay here?
Edw. The culprit has jumped out of the window.
Mary. Oh, yes, out of the window!
Copp. Thunder and lightning! why did n't you stop him?
Edw. I was too far off. The young lady attempted, but he kissed her, and leaped out like a greyhound.
Copp. Fire and furies!—kissed her?
Mary. Yes, uncle, but he didn't hurt me.
Edw. And he said you might put it in the bill.
Copp. Guns and blunderbusses! this is running up an account with a vengeance (looking out of the window). I see something in the offing; we may overhaul him yet. Come along, all hands to the chase! Get to your room, Mary, there's no knowing what might happen if this pirate should fall foul of you again. Come along—away with you all—divide at the street door—scour the three passages—I'll show him what it is to come in the way of an old cruiser!—(Bustle—Copp fires off his gun out of the window after Charles. Curtain falls.)
END OF ACT SECOND.
ACT THIRD.
Scene. The Royal Palace.
(Enter Edward, in his habit, as a Page.)
Edw. I've had a hard scramble of it, to get here, and dress in time. The king must arrive presently, though my light heels have given me a good start of him. Hark! a noise in the king's private staircase—Softly, then, softly, (seats himself in an arm-chair at the door of the king's chamber, and pretends to sleep).
(Enter Charles, his dress in disorder.)
Chas. Confound the city! what a journey it is!
Edw. (aside). Especially to foot passengers.
Chas. I began to think I should never find the palace. (Sitting down.) Phew! I shall not forget this night in a hurry. Forced to escape like a thief,—to risk my neck from a window,—hunted about the streets by that old buccaneer and his crew! Egad! I fancy I can hear old Copp's voice, even now, like a huntsman giving the view-halloo, as I doubled about the mazes of Wapping.
Edw. (Aside, and suppressing a laugh.) A royal hunt, truly!
Chas. Well, thank fortune, I am safe home at last, and seen by nobody but my confidential valet.
Edw. (Aside.) And the most discreet of pages.
Chas. (Seeing Edward.) So, the page already in waiting. Deuce take him! he is exactly in the door-way of my chamber. So, so! Lady Clara coming! Oh, then, all's over!
(Enter Lady Clara, goes to Edward.)
Lady C. What! asleep at this hour, Edward?
Edw. I beg your pardon, my lady—I am waiting his majesty's rising.
Lady C. You will come, and let the queen know when the king is visible (perceives Charles). Heavens! your majesty in this dress?
Chas. (affecting an unembarrassed air). What! it amuses you, ha! ha! My regular morning dress, I assure you. I have taken a whim for gardening lately, and, every morning, by day-light, I am on the terrace, planting, transplanting, and
