Читать книгу The Complete Works of Jane Austen: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Lady ... Sandition, and the Complete Juvenilia - Джейн Остин, Сет Грэм-Смит, Jane Austen - Страница 65

Scene the First

A Garden.

Enter CORYDON.

CoryBut Hush! I am interrupted.

Exit CORYDON.

Enter OLD HUMBUG and his SON, talking.

Old HumIt is for that reason I wish you to follow my advice. Are you convinced of it's propriety?Young HumI am, Sir, and will certainly manner what you have pointed out to me.Old HumThen let us return to the House.

Exeunt.

Scene the Second

A Parlour in Humbug's House.

MRS. HUMBUG and FANNY, discovered at work.

Mrs. HumYou understand me, my Love?FannyPerfectly ma'am. Pray continue your narration.Mrs. HumAlas! It is nearly concluded, for I have nothing more to say on the Subject.

Enter DAPHNE.

DaphneMy dear Mrs. Humbug, how d'ye do? Oh! Fanny, t'is all over.FannyIt is indeed!Mrs. HumI'm very sorry to hear it.FannyThen t'was to no purpose that I…DaphneNone upon Earth.Mrs. HumAnd what is to become of…DaphneOh! That's all settled.

Whispers to MRS. HUMBUG

FannyAnd how is it determined?DaphneI'll tell you.

Whispers to FANNY.

Mrs. HumAnd is he to…DaphneI'll tell you all I know of the matter.

Whispers MRS. HUMBUG and FANNY.

FannyWell! Now I know everything about it, I'll go away.Mrs. Hum and DaphneAnd so will I.

Exeunt.

Scene the Third

The Curtain rises and discovers Sir Edward Spangle reclined in an elegant Attitude on a Sofa, fast asleep.

Enter COLONEL ELLIOTT.

ColonelMy Daughter is not here I see… . There lies Sir Edward… . Shall I tell him the secret?… No, he'll certainly blab it… . But he is asleep and won't hear me… . So I'll e'en venture.

Goes up to SIR EDWARD, whispers to him, and exits.