_Verdict_--DESDEMONA MURDERED BY OTHELLO HEAVEN KNOWS WHEN. SCENE IV.--_The Grove._ TIME--_After Lunch._ NORTH--TALBOYS--SEWARD--BULLER. SEWARD. On rising, sir, to---- NORTH. Sit down--no gentleman speaks on his legs before, at, or after meals in a private Party. SEWARD. Except in Scotland. On sitting down, sir, to state MY THEORY, I trust that I shall not lay myself open to the im---- NORTH. Speak with your natural tone as if you were sitting, Seward, and not with that Parliamentary sing-song in which Statesmen, with their coat-tails perked up behind, declaim on the State of Europe-- SEWARD. I IMAGINE, SIR, THAT SHAKSPEARE ASSUMED THE MARRIAGE TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE SOME TIME BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PLAY--SUFFICIENTLY LONG TO ADMIT THE POSSIBILITY OF A COURSE OF GUILT BEFORE THE PLAY OPENS. I imagine that, with this general idea in his mind, he gave his full and unfettered attention to the working out of THE PLOT, which has no reference to the time, circumstances, or history of the Marriage, but relates exclusively to the Moor's Jealousy. Therefore the indications of past time at Venice are vague, and rarely scattered through the Dialogue. TALBOYS. A more astounding discovery indeed, Seward, than any yet announced by that Stunner, Christopher North. Pardon me, sir. NORTH. We have said our say, Shirra; let the Lord-Lieutenant of his County say his-- TALBOYS. And the Chairman of the Quarter-Sessions, and President of the Agricultural Society of the Land's End say his. BULLER. I can beat you at Chess. TALBOYS. YOU!!! NORTH. Gentlemen, let there be no bad blood. SEWARD. Supposing that this was Shakspeare's general idea of the Plot, I would first beg your attention to the fact that the marriage has taken place--none of us know how long--_before the beginning of the Play_. TALBOYS. The same night--the same night. SEWARD. I said--none of us know how long; and as you are a Lawyer, Mr Talboys-- TALBOYS. For goodness' sake, my dear Seward, don't mister me-- SEWARD. The only evidence, my dear Talboys, as to the history of the marriage is that given by Roderigo in the First Scene. He, with the most manifest anxiety to prove himself an honest witness, declares that now, at midnight, Desdemona had eloped--NOT WITH _the Moor_, but with no "worse nor better guard, but with a knave of common hire, a gondolier, _to_," &c., &c. She has fled _alone_ from her father's house; and Roderigo, being interrogated, "Are they married, think ye?" answers, "Truly I think they are." TALBOYS. What do you say to Iago's saying to Cassio-- "Faith he _to-night_ has boarded a land Carrack: If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever. _Cassio._ I do not understand. _Iago._ He's married." SEWARD.