Next Door Neighbours: A Comedy; In Three ActsInchbald, Mrs.
General
Next Door Neighbours: A Comedy; In Three Acts
Inchbald, Mrs.
English drama (Comedy)
MANLY.
Who do you say wants to speak with me?
SERVANT.
Mr. Lucre, sir.
MANLY.
And who else?
SERVANT.
A person who says his name is Willford, he looks as if he came from
the country, and seems in mean circumstances.
MANLY.
Show him to me directly. And take Mr. Lucre, or any other person of
fashion that may call, to my clerks. [_Exit Servant._] But for the
poor, let them be under _my_ protection.
_Enter_ WILLFORD _and_ ELEANOR.
MANLY.
Come in--walk in, and let me know what I can do to serve you.
WILLFORD.
I deposited, sir, in your clerk's hands, a sum of money to set me free
from confinement for debt.--On his word, I was discharged--he owns he
has not yet paid away this money, still he refuses to restore it to
me, though in return I again render up my person.
MANLY.
And why would you do this?
WILLFORD.
Because my honour--I mean my conscience--for that's the poor man's
honour--is concerned.
MANLY.
Explain yourself.
WILLFORD.
A son of mine, received this sum I speak of, and thought it _given_
him; while it was only meant as a purchase--a purchase of what we had
no right to sell--and therefore it must be restored to the owner.
MANLY.
And who is he?
WILLFORD.
Sir George Splendorville--I suppose you have heard of him?
MANLY.
He, you mean, who by the desire of his father's will, lately changed
his name from Blandford?
WILLFORD.
Sir!
MANLY.
The name, which some part of the family, while reduced, had taken.
WILLFORD.
Good Heaven! Is there such a circumstance in his story?
MANLY.
Why do you ask with such emotion?
WILLFORD.
Because he is the man, in search of whom I left my habitation in
the country, to present before him a destitute young woman, a near
relation.
MANLY.
What relation?--Be particular in your answer.
WILLFORD.
A sister.
MANLY.
I thank you for your intelligence. You have named a person who for
these three years past, I have in vain endeavoured to find.--But did
you say she was in poverty?
WILLFORD.
I did.
MANLY.
I give you joy then--for I have in my possession a deed which conveys
to a lost daughter of Sir George's father, the other half of the
fortune he bequeathed his son--but as yet, all my endeavours have been
in vain to find where she, and an uncle, to whose care she was
entrusted in her infancy, are retired.
WILLFORD. [_Turning to_ ELEANOR.
Now, Eleanor, arm yourself with fortitude--with fortitude to bear not
the frowns, but the smiles of fortune. Be humble, collected, and the
same you have ever been, while I for the first time inform you--you
are not my daughter.--And from this gentleman's intelligence add, you
are rich--you are the deceased Blandford's child, and Splendorville's
sister.
ELEANOR.
Oh! Heavens! Do I lose a father such as you, to gain a brother such as
he is?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account