Fred. Father, I met Mrs. Van Brugh and my darling on their way here, so I turned back with them.
Mr. S. My dear Eve. (Kisses her. Enter Mrs. Van Brugh.) Mrs. Van Brugh, I am very pleased to see you. Pray sit down. You look pale; I am afraid you are tired.
Mrs. V. B. No, I have not been very well lately.
Eve. Mamma wished to come alone, as she wants to speak to you on business, but I wouldn’t hear of that, as she is really very far from well, so I’ve brought her to you, Mr. Smailey; and now I’m going to take a turn in the garden with Fred. Dr. Athelney is waiting for us in the arbor.
Fred. If the arbor were a consecrated arbor, and I had a license in my pocket, we might take a turn—in the garden—that would surprise our dear friends.
Eve. What, without a wedding-dress and bridesmaids, and bouquets and presents, and a breakfast? My dear Fred, it wouldn’t be legal![Exeunt Eve and Fred into the garden.
Mrs. V. B. (after a pause). Mr. Smailey, I come to you in great distress. On Tuesday last, a circumstance occurred, no matter what it was, that induced me to believe that there was a flaw—a vital flaw—in my title to all I possess. Mr. Smailey, I haven’t a shilling in the world.
Mr. S. A shilling! My very dear lady, you haven’t a penny.
Mrs. V. B. What! Do you know this?
Mr. S. Mrs. Van Brugh, I will be candid with you. The Smaileys are a very, very old and very famous family. No suspicion of a bar sinister has ever shadowed their escutcheon. My son is betrothed to your daughter, and I have reason to believe that you are not entitled to the name you bear. Therefore, in his interests, and in those of his slumbering ancestors, I have taken steps to ascertain the truth.