[amazed]
Well, he has made you care for him! I guess he must be the Prince of the World, honey! He must be a great man. I expect you're right about me not meetin' him! I prob'ly wouldn't stack up very high alongside of a man that's big enough for you to think as much of as you do of him.
[Smiling.]
Why, I'd have to squeeze every bit of property your pa left you.[pg 068]
Is it your property?
[gently]
I've worked pretty hard to take care of it for you.
[rising impulsively and coming to him]
Forgive me for saying that.
[smiling]
Pshaw!
It was unworthy of me, unworthy of the higher and nobler things that life calls me to live up to
[proudly]
—that I shall live up to. The money means nothing to me—I am not thinking of that. It is merely a necessary form.
Have you talked with Mr. St. Aubyn about this settlement—this present you want to make him?
Not with him.
[amused]
I thought not! You'll see—he wouldn't take it if I'd let you give it to him. A fine man like that wants to make his own way, of course. Mighty few men like to have fun poked at 'em about livin' on their wife's money.
[despairingly]
Oh, I can't make you understand! A settlement isn't a gift.
[as if humoring her]
How'd you happen to decide that just a hundred and fifty thousand pounds was what you wanted to give him?
His father? What's he got to do with it?
He is the Earl of Hawcastle, the head of the ancient house.
And he asks you for your property—asks you for it in so many words?
As a settlement!
[aghast]
And your young man knows it?
I tell you I have not discussed it with Mr. St. Aubyn.
[emphatically]
I reckon not! Well, sir, do you know what's the first thing Mr. St. Aubyn will do when he hears his father's made such a proposition to you? He'll take the old man out in the back lot and give him a thrashing he won't forget to the day of his death!
[The roll of drums is heard, distant, as if sounding below the cliff; bugle sounds at the same time.]
[MARIANO and MICHELE run hurriedly from the hotel and lean over balustrade at back, as if watching something below the cliff.]
[RIBIERE enters quickly with them, takes one quick glance in same direction, and hurries off.][pg 070]
[PIKE and ETHEL, surprised, turn to look.]
[calling to ETHEL as he enters]
A bandit of Russia, Mademoiselle! The soldiers think he hide in a grotto under the cliff!
[ALMERIC comes on rapidly from the hotel, carrying a shot-gun.]
[enthusiastically, as he enters]
Oh, I say, fair sport, by Jove! Fair sport!
[to ETHEL, indicating ALMERIC, chuckling]
I saw him on the road here—what's he meant for?
Think I'll have a chance to pot the beggar, Michele?
[He joins MICHELE at balustrade.]
No, Signore, there are two companies of carabiniere.
[PIKE, delighted, chuckles aloud.]
[angry, calling]
Almeric!
[turning]
Hallo!
[frigidly]
I wish to present my guardian to you.
[To PIKE.]
This is Mr. St. Aubyn.
THIS IS MR. ST. AUBYN
[coming down]
Hallo, though! It's the donkey man, isn't it? How very odd! You'll have to see the Governor and our solicitor about the settlement. I've some important business here. The police are chasing a bally convict chap under the [pg 071] cliffs over yonder, so you'll have to excuse me. I'll have to be toddling.
[Goes up to terrace wall overlooking cliffs.]
You know there's nothing like a little convict shooting to break the blooming monotony—what?
[The bugle sounds. ALMERIC turns and rushes off.]
Wait for me, you fellows! Don't hurt him till I get there!
[His voice dies away in the distance.]
[turning to ETHEL with slow horror]
Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars for—How much do they charge over here for a real man?
[She is unable to meet his eye. She turns, with flaming cheeks, and runs into the hotel. He stands staring after her, incredulous, dumfounded, in a frozen attitude.]
END OF THE FIRST ACT