MRS. G. Well, if you think so, ’tis my duty as a wife not to spare him.
BETSY. ’Course it is, mum. I’ve the plan all cut out in my head. You’ve got a suit of master’s clothes in that trunk, ma’am? (points to trunk on floor, C.)
MRS. G. Yes, Betsy; his new suit that he forgot to take with him to Paris. I meant to surprise him with it.
BETSY. And so you shall, mum. (takes the trunk) Come with me, and I’ll show you how.
Exeunt MRS. G. and BETSY, L. 2 E.; the latter carries the trunk.
Enter GREENFINCH, C.
GREEN. Where is she? Gone! I should not wonder if I had killed her; I know my brutal conduct has broken her fragile heart; she could never survive my base desertion—never! She has perished like a tender flower, and I—wretch!—I’ve assassinated an angel. Ha! where’s my tempter? Where’s the Countess—the destroyer of my happiness? She must instantly release me from this horrible compact. I can bear a great deal, but my constitution is sinking rapidly under two wives. (goes into room R., calls inside) Countess! I beg your pardon—hey, Countess! Where can she be? Countess! She’s gone. (re-enter from room) She’s certainly not there. Now, if I could take advantage of her absence, to speak a few words to the original Mrs. G., if the poor thing still survives. That’s her room—I’ll venture at all hazards. (goes to door L., taps and calls in a suppressed voice) Maria Jane! Maria Jane! hist! (taps) Mrs. G., my dear—eh? ’Tis me, my dear—your loving Greenfinch. (taps) Hist! Maria Jane! She don’t hear me, or she won’t answer. (taps) Mrs. G.! Maria Jane! ’Tis your unfortunate Greenfinch.
Enter BETSY, from room, L. 2 E.
BETSY. Well, sir, what may you want?
GREEN. Hush! don’t speak so loud. Is your mistress in her room?