Читать книгу The Complete Works of Jane Austen - Джейн Остин, Сет Грэм-Смит, The griffin classics - Страница 61

Scene the first

The Drawing Room

Chairs set round in a row. LORD FITZGERALD, MISS FITZGERALD & STANLY seated.

Enter a Servant.

ServantSir Arthur & Lady Hampton. Miss Hampton, Mr. & Miss Willoughby.

Exit SERVANT

Enter the Company.

Miss F.I hope I have the pleasure of seeing your Ladyship well. Sir Arthur, your servant. Yrs., Mr. Willoughby. Dear Sophy, Dear Cloe, —

They pay their Compliments alternately.

Miss F.Pray be seated.

They sit

Miss F.Bless me! there ought to be 8 Chairs & there are but 6. However, if your Ladyship will but take Sir Arthur in your Lap, & Sophy my Brother in hers, I beleive we shall do pretty well.Lady H. Oh! with pleasure… .SophyI beg his Lordship would be seated.Miss F.I am really shocked at crouding you in such a manner, but my Grandmother (who bought all the furniture of this room) as she had never a very large Party, did not think it necessary to buy more Chairs than were sufficient for her own family and two of her particular freinds.SophyI beg you will make no apologies. Your Brother is very light.Stanly (aside)What a cherub is Cloe!Cloe (aside)What a seraph is Stanly!

Enter a Servant.

ServantDinner is on table.

They all rise.

Miss F.Lady Hampton, Miss Hampton, Miss Willoughby.

STANLY hands CLOE; LORD FITZGERALD, SOPHY; WILLOUGHBY, MISS FITZGERALD; and SIR ARTHUR, LADY HAMPTON

Exeunt.

Scene the 2d.

The Dining Parlour

MISS FITZGERALD at top. LORD FITZGERALD at bottom. Company ranged on each side. Servants waiting.

CloeI shall trouble Mr. Stanly for a Little of the fried Cow heel & Onion.StanlyOh Madam, there is a secret pleasure in helping so amiable a Lady. Lady H.I assure you, my Lord, Sir Arthur never touches wine; but Sophy will toss off a bumper I am sure, to oblige your Lordship.Lord F. Elder wine or Mead, Miss Hampton?SophyIf it is equal to you, Sir, I should prefer some warm ale with a toast and nutmeg.Lord F.Two glasses of warmed ale with a toast and nutmeg.Miss F.I am afraid, Mr. Willoughby, you take no care of yourself. I fear you don't meet with any thing to your liking.WilloughbyOh! Madam, I can want for nothing while there are red herrings on table.Lord F.Sir Arthur, taste that Tripe. I think you will not find it amiss.Lady H.Sir Arthur never eats Tripe; tis too savoury for him, you know, my Lord.Miss F.Take away the Liver & Crow, & bring in the suet pudding.

a short Pause.

Miss F.Sir Arthur, shan't I send you a bit of pudding?Lady H.Sir Arthur never eats suet pudding, Ma'am. It is too high a Dish for him.Miss F.Will no one allow me the honour of helping them? Then John, take away the Pudding, & bring the Wine.

SERVANTS take away the things and bring in the Bottles & Glasses.

Lord F.I wish we had any Desert to offer you. But my Grandmother in her Lifetime, destroyed the Hothouse in order to build a receptacle for the Turkies with its materials; & we have never been able to raise another tolerable one.Lady H.I beg you will make no apologies, my Lord.WilloughbyCome Girls, let us circulate the Bottle.SophyA very good notion, Cousin; & I will second it with all my Heart. Stanly, you don't drink.StanlyMadam, I am drinking draughts of Love from Cloe's eyes.SophyThat's poor nourishment truly. Come, drink to her better acquaintance.

MISS FITZGERALD goes to a Closet & brings out a bottle

Miss F.This, Ladies & Gentlemen, is some of my dear Grandmother's own manufacture. She excelled in Gooseberry Wine. Pray taste it, Lady HamptonLady H.How refreshing it is!Miss F.I should think, with your Ladyship's permission, that Sir Arthur might taste a little of it.Lady H.Not for Worlds. Sir Arthur never drinks any thing so high.Lord F.And now my amiable Sophia, condescend to marry me.

He takes her hand & leads her to the front

StanlyOh! Cloe, could I but hope you would make me blessed—CloeI will.

They advance.

Miss F.Since you, Willoughby, are the only one left, I cannot refuse your earnest solicitations—There is my Hand.Lady H.And may you all be Happy!

Finis