O’Fi. Sorr, old Tom Cobb’s dead, and here’s a will signed “Tom Cobb.” Put that and that together, and what d’ye make of it?
[Whipple falls into a chair amazed.
ACT II.
Scene.—The same room in Colonel O’Fipp’s house, but very handsomely furnished. Pictures, busts, etc. Writing materials on one table; sherry and glasses on another.
Matilda O’Fipp discovered working, Whipple on a stool at her feet.
Whi. My darling Matilda, who was it who said the course of true love never did run smooth? Are not our loves true? And could anything be smoother than their course during the last three months?
Mat. No, dear, savin’ that when ye proposed for me, papa kicked ye out of the house.
Whi. He did, in the effusion of the moment, and I honour him for it! On his unexpected accession to wealth he naturally looked for a wealthy and well-born son-in-law, and I honour him for it! But the doughty old soldier was open to reason, and when I proved to him that his wealth depended on my secrecy, he admitted his error at once, like a frank old warrior as he is, and I honour him for it!
Mat. Poor Tom! I wonder what’s come of him all this while? It’s three months since he——