[_1st Cut._] [_2nd Grooves._] _A Hall in a Manor House.--Discovered SIR SIMON, in an easy chair, supported by servants, BASIL and FLORENCE attending._ _Sir Sim._ I am thy father. Would'st kill me, girl? O dear! I saw Master Stacker, the court physician that was, to-day. [Coughs.] Oh, I am very ill. _Flor._ Dear father! what said he? _Sir Sim._ That I have a disease of the heart. Now I don't agree with him. There he is mistaken. Why I might die instantly with a disease of the heart. He is a clever man, but quite mistaken there. You see, my heart never beats fast, but when I am agitated, and I was out of breath this morning with the stairs--O dear! [_Places his hand to his heart._] Thou dost agitate me, girl--but there is no disease here--no! no! I am very ill--but I shall not die yet! _Flor._ Dear father! pray be careful. _Sir Sim._ Now, had he said 'twas asthma--'tis a long-lived complaint. I have known very old men with asthma. Our chirurgeon, Master Gilead Stubbs, said I was asthmatic, and we have been much together. Many a good flagon of claret have we drank, and should he not know my constitution? _Basil._ Uncle! _Sir Sim._ Yes, yes, I know. [_To Florence._] Come, thou must marry him. Curse on this physician. I never felt so before. [_Places his hand to his heart._] _Flor._ Oh, father; do not urge this suit! _Sir Sim._ Girl! I will leave thee nought if thou dost not--save my curse! _Flor._ No, no! _Sir Sim._ All my hopes----'Tis very odd. Stop, stop! I have a pain here, here! Wilt thou promise? _Basil._ Murderess! _Flor._ I will do all. O God! _Enter ARTHUR, L._ _Sir Sim._ Who is this? 'Tis their father! I promised him that Arthur should wed my daughter. He is come to claim her, and see, he beckons me-- [_Falls back and dies in the chair, servants bear him off, R._] _Basil._ Dead, dead! I am frustrated. _Flor._ Oh, Arthur! look to my father. _Arth._ [_Returning and supporting her._] Thou hast no father, Florence! I have a home for thee, with one that's young and gentle like thyself. [_She faints._] _Basil._ Mark, thou art my brother! I swear [_Aside._] I will have vengeance! At the moment too She yielded. Beggar, thus to thwart me--Oh, If I dar'd, I could smite him, as he smiles On that unconscious, pretty piece of goods. [_Retires, L., surly, looking at ARTHUR. Servants come in with BARBARA._] _Arth._ Take her unto her chamber 'till we leave. [_Servants take FLORENCE off, exeunt, R., all but BASIL._] _Enter WYCKOFF stealthily to BASIL, L._