Married Life: A Comedy, in Three Acts

by John Baldwin Buckstone

Mrs. Cod. No, no, you will kill him if you do.—(DISMAL makes to the windows, but is checked by MRS. CODDLE; CODDLE, on hearing that the windows are to be opened, is about to start from his chair, but checks himself and resumes his position.)

Mrs. Dis. Get him some water—ring the bell.

Mrs. Cod. Stay stay, I’ll go myself.—(MRS. CODDLE runs off R. H. F. E. CODDLE suddenly starts up between MR. and MRS. DISMAL, and takes a hand of each.)

Cod. As you love me—if you do not wish to see me lifeless at your feet, breathe not a syllable relative to the elderly lady in black—mention not her name.

Dis. ’Twas your own——

Cod. I know it, I know it—’tis a terrible secret; a story of horror and despair; when we are alone, you shall know all—but not a word now. I beg—I implore—I pray—ah, my wife!—(He falls back again into his chair.)

Re-enter MRS. CODDLE, with a glass of water.

Mrs. Dis. He’s better now.

Dis. Much better.