Part 13 (1/2)

Why should I weep for him? Who make their woes.

Deserve them! What have I to do with tears?

[Enter HELEN.]

_Helen_. News, Julia, news!

_Julia_. What! is't about Sir Thomas?

_Helen_. Sir Thomas, say you? He's no more Sir Thomas!

That cousin lives, as heir to whom, his wealth And t.i.tle came to him.

_Julia_. Was he not dead?

_Helen_. No more than I am dead.

_Julia_. I would 'twere not so.

_Helen_. What say you, Julia?

_Julia_. Nothing!

_Helen_. I could kiss That cousin! couldn't you, Julia?

_Julia_. Wherefore?

_Helen_. Why For coming back to life again, as 'twere Upon his cousin to revenge you.

_Julia_. Helen!

_Helen_. Indeed 'tis true. With what a sorry grace The gentleman will bear himself without His t.i.tle! Master Clifford! Have you not Some token to return him? Some love-letter?

Some brooch? Some pin? Some anything? I'll be Your messenger, for nothing but the pleasure Of calling him plain ”Master Clifford.”

_Julia_. Helen!

_Helen_. Or has he aught of thine? Write to him, Julia, Demanding it! Do, Julia, if you love me; And I'll direct it in a schoolboy's hand, As round as I can write, ”To Master Clifford.”

_Julia_. Helen!

_Helen_. I'll think of fifty thousand ways To mortify him! I've a twentieth cousin, A care-for-nought, at mischief. Him I'll set, With twenty other madcaps like himself, To walk the streets the traitor most frequents And give him salutation as he pa.s.ses-- ”How do you, Master Clifford?”

_Julia_. [Highly incensed.] Helen!

_Helen_. Bless me!

_Julia_. I hate you, Helen!

[Enter MODUS.]

_Mod_. Joy for you, fair lady!

Our baronet is now plain gentleman-- And hardly that, not master of the means To bear himself as such. The kinsman lives Whose only rumoured death gave wealth to him, And t.i.tle. A hard creditor he proves, Who keeps strict reckoning--will have interest.

As well as princ.i.p.al. A ruined man Is now Sir Thomas Clifford!

_Helen_. I'm glad on't.