Grayling and Gilbert struggle, Grayling throws Gilbert from him, and with the rest of the characters following, rushes up the stage. As he is about to exit at back, the folding doors fly open, and Collins, an old grey-headed man, presents himself at the entrance; a general exclamation of “Collins” from all the characters who recoil in amazement.
Gray. See—his ghost, the ghost of the victim rises from the grave to claim the murderer—I am revenged—I triumph—ha! ha! ha!
(falls exhausted.)
Col. My friends. Lucy.
Lucy. My uncle!
Gwin. He lives! he lives! the world beholds me innocent! beholds me free from the stain of blood!
Gil. Master—oh! day of wonders!—the dead come back.
Col. Wonders, indeed! Gwinett, ’tis but within this past half hour, I have heard the story of your sufferings.
Gil. But tell me, master, how is this? dead! and not dead, and—
Col. Another time; it is a tedious story, the night you thought me killed, I had left my chamber to procure assistance to staunch a wound—scarcely had I crossed the threshold, than I was seized by a press-gang, and hurried—but see to yon unhappy man.