[Enter HELEN and FATHOM.]
Fath. The long and short of it is this--if she marries this lord, she'll break her heart! I wish you could see her, madam. Poor lady!
Helen. How looks she, prithee?
Fath. Marry, for all the world like a dripping-wet cambric handkerchief! She has no colour nor strength in her; and does nothing but weep--poor lady!
Helen. Tell me again what said she to thee?
Fath. She offered me all she was mistress of to take the letter to Master Clifford. She drew her purse from her pocket--the ring from her finger--she took her very earrings out of her ears--but I was forbidden, and refused. And now I'm sorry for it! Poor lady!
Helen. Thou shouldst be sorry. Thou hast a hard heart, Fathom.
Fath. I, madam! My heart is as soft as a woman's. You should have seen me when I came out of her chamber--poor lady!
Helen. Did you cry?
Fath. No; but I was as near it as possible. I a hard heart! Iwould do anything to serve her, poor sweet lady!
Helen. Will you take her letter, asks she you again?
Fath. No--I am forbid.
Helen. Will you help Master Clifford to an interview with her?
Fath. No--Master Walter would find it out.
Helen. Will you contrive to get me into her chamber?
Fath. No--you would be sure to bring me into mischief.
Helen. Go to! You would do nothing to serve her. You a soft heart! You have no heart at all! You feel not for her!
Fath. But I tell you I do--and good right I have to feel for her.
I have been in love myself.
Helen. With your dinner!
Fath. I would it had been! My pain would soon have been over, and at little cost. A fortune I squandered upon her!--trinkets--trimmings--treatings--what swallowed up the revenue of a whole year!
Wasn't I in love? Six months I courted her, and a dozen crowns all but one did I disburse for her in that time! Wasn't I in love? An hostler--a tapster--and a constable, courted her at the same time, and I offered to cudgel the whole three of them for her! Wasn't Iin love?
Helen. You are a valiant man, Fathom.
Fath. Am not I? Walks not the earth the man I am afraid of.
Helen. Fear you not Master Walter?
Fath. No.
Helen. You do!
Fath. I don't!
Helen. I'll prove it to you. You see him breaking your young mistress's heart, and have not the manhood to stand by her.
Fath. What could I do for her?
Helen. Let her out of prison. It were the act of a man.
Fath. That man am I!
Helen. Well said, brave Fathom!
Fath. But my place!
Helen. I'll provide thee with a better one.
Fath. 'Tis a capital place! So little to do, and so much to get for't. Six pounds in the year; two suits of livery; shoes and stockings, and a famous larder. He'd be a bold man that would put such a place in jeopardy. My place, madam, my place!
Helen. I tell thee I'll provide thee with a better place. Thou shalt have less to do, and more to get. Now, Fathom, hast thou courage to stand by thy mistress?
Fath. I have!
Helen. That's right.
Fath. I'll let my lady out.
[Enter MASTER WALTER unperceived.]
Helen. That's right. When, Fathom?
Fath. To-night.
Helen. She is to be married to-night.
Fath. This evening, then. Master Walter is now in the library, the key is on the outside, and I'll lock him in.
Helen. Excellent! You'll do it?
Fath. Rely upon it. How he'll stare when he finds himself a prisoner, and my young lady at liberty!
Helen. Most excellent! You'll be sure to do it?
Fath. Depend upon me! When Fathom undertakes a thing, he defies fire and water -Wal. [Coming forward.] Fathom!
Fath. Sir!
Wal. Assemble straight the servants.
Fath. Yes, sir!
Wal. Mind, And have them in the hall when I come down.
Fath. Yes, sir!
Wal. And see you do not stir a step, But where I order you.
Fath. Not an inch, sir!
Wal. See that you don't--away! So, my fair mistress, [FATHOM goes out.]
What's this you have been plotting? An escape For mistress Julia?
Helen. I avow it.
Wal. Do you?
Helen. Yes; and moreover to your face I tell you, Most hardly do you use her!
Wal. Verily!
Helen. I wonder where's her spirit! Had she mine She would not take 't so easily. Do you mean To force this marriage on her?
Wal. With your leave.
Helen. You laugh.
Wal. Without it, then. I don't laugh now.
Helen. If I were she, I'd find a way to escape.
Wal. What would you do?
Helen. I'd leap out of the window!
Wal. Your window should be barred.
Helen. I'd cheat you still! -
I'd hang myself ere I'd be forced to marry!
Wal. Well said! You shall be married, then, tonight.
Helen. Married to-night!
Wal. As sure as I have said it.
Helen. Two words to that. Pray who's to be my bridegroom?
Wal. A daughter's husband is her father's choice.
Helen. My father's daughter ne'er shall wed such husband!
Wal. Indeed!
Helen. I'll pick a husband for myself.
Wal. Indeed!
Helen. Indeed, sir; and indeed again!
