MARQUIS. (_Going, returns._) But I know she is so haughty and reserved, that, _should_ she admit me, I shall appear confused and awkward.--
INIS. So much the better--she expects you"ll be awkward.
MARQUIS. Expects I shall be awkward!
ISABEL. Pshaw, pshaw--Hesitate no longer with your fears, but away--you know your first court must be to the uncle, and when you have been a little time in the house your apprehensions will vanish.--Away, away.
MARQUIS. But if she should not condescend to see me?
INIS. Oh, my Lord, you may depend upon it she will, because of my dream.
(_Exit Marquis on one side and Isabella and Inis on the other._)
SCENE III.
_The Hall in the Castle._
_Enter_ FLORA _and_ JEROME.
FLORA. Ha, ha, ha, ha.
JEROME. Ha, ha, ha, ha--But is all this matter of fact?
FLORA. As true as I am alive, Jerome--I have done nothing but laugh ever since I heard it--But do you think, Jerome, she"ll be drest all over like a man?
JEROME. To be sure.
FLORA. What, every thing?
JEROME. Yes--Every thing--Egad, I long to have a peep at her!
FLORA. Aye, and so would Antonio too, if he knew.--
JEROME. Aye, that he would--he"d be so fond of the young Marquis there would be no keeping him away from her--but he does not know of it, you say?
FLORA. No; no soul knows of it yet but my Lady and I, and now I have told it to you; and I am to tell it to all the servants as soon as she comes, that they may not think my Lady has broken her vow, by admitting a man--Lord, I wonder how I should look in men"s clothes!
JEROME. There"s the Priest"s old great cloak, doublet, and jack-boots hanging up behind that door, if you have a mind to try, and I"ll step out of the way till you have put them on.
(_A loud rapping at the door._)
FLORA. Here she is--Here she is--Oh dear--Oh dear--how ashamed I am for her.
JEROME. And I wish I may die if so ben"t I. (_Covering his eyes._)
FLORA. And yet somehow I long to see her! (_Another rapping._)
FLORA. Run, Jerome, run.
JEROME. This moment (_turning back_) but I am so afraid I shall laugh.
FLORA. O no--Don"t laugh--if you do you will spoil all, and my Lady will never forgive you.
JEROME. Well--I won"t--I won"t, if I can help it--I"ll look so--just so, if I can--as serious as a judge--will that do? (_looking serious._)
FLORA. Yes; that will do. (_Rapping again._)
JEROME. (_Going._) Ha, ha, ha, ha--I can"t help laughing a little though--but not before her--I"ll be as serious as a judge before her.
(_aside_) Egad I am afraid--I am afraid I shall laugh.
(_Exit, stifling a laugh._) FLORA. Now where shall I run to have a peep at her?--in here.
[_Exit Flora._
_Enter_ JEROME, _bowing before the_ MARQUIS, _with his face on one side, as if he was afraid to look at him for fear he should laugh_.
MARQUIS. Let Don Antonio know I have letters for him.
JEROME. Yes, your Honour--Lordship. (_Lifting up his eyes, looking at him with side glances, and with difficulty stifling a laugh._) Your Honour, your Lordship--Let Don Antonio--know--you--have--letters--for --him. (_Suppressing a laugh._)
MARQUIS. Yes; is not that plain?
JEROME. Yes. (_still suppressing a laugh._) And he"ll be very glad to wait upon your Honour. [_Laughs right out and exit._
MARQUIS. A strange fellow this--How my heart beats!
FLORA. (_from a door._) Oh that she would but turn this way, that I might see her face--Oh the impudent s.l.u.t.
_Enter_ JEROME _with a grin on his face_.
JEROME. n.o.ble Lord, Don Antonio will be here immediately. (_Then laughs and stares at him from head to foot._) Here he is.
_Enter_ ANTONIO.
(_The Marquis bows very respectfully whilst Jerome is laughing and making faces behind._)
MARQUIS. Letters, my Lord, from your brother at Madrid.
ANTONIO. Signior. (_Taking the letters._)
MARQUIS. (_aside while Antonio reads._) Heavens, whence this palpitation?
If such are the feelings of my bosom on knowing myself in the same house with her, what must be my agitation on a nearer approach!
ANTONIO. My letters inform me it is the Marquis who does me the honour of this visit--My Lord, your Lordship--
JEROME. Ha, ha, ha.