Fitz. And I am convinced of it.
Dr. A. Leave my house, sir! (To Smailey.)
Mr. S. Nay, nay. I am here in the discharge of a high public duty, and I propose to remain. Come, Dr. Athelney, is this quite considerate? Is this quite as it should be? You are a minister of the Church, about to be invested with the very highest Colonial functions. In affording shelter to this unhappy person, have you not allowed your sympathy for her misfortunes to blind you to the fact that you are a clergyman?
Dr. A. Sir, I never had my duty as a clergyman so strongly before my eyes as when I placed my home at the disposal of this admirable lady. And, believe me, sir, I never felt so strongly disposed to forget my duty as a clergyman as I do at this moment. My hands are tied. Ted, my boy, these remarks do not apply to you.
Ted. Mr. Smailey, if you’ll come with me, I’ll see you out.
Fitz. (to Ted). See him out? Nonsense. Hear him out. He’s worth listening to, I can tell you.
Mr. S. Miss Brandreth (to Mrs. Van Brugh), when you denied having ever gone through the form of marriage with Captain Van Brugh, I considered it my duty, as a magistrate accustomed to deal with evidence, to disbelieve you. At the suggestion of my solicitor (aside, to Fitz) A lie, sir, for you are no solicitor; heaven forgive you! (Aloud.) At his suggestion I advertised for the burial certificate of the late Mrs. Van Brugh. That advertisement has been answered.
Fitz. That advertisement has been answered.
Mr. S. The person who answered it is at this moment waiting without.
Fitz. Waiting without.