SCENE 98 - Night inside Aunt JEANETTE's apartment
(On joining Miss PEYTON, FRANCES finds that DUNWOODIE has not yet
returned; although, the respectable divine from their own church, who rode
up from the river to offer his services to HENRY, has arrived and been passing
a half hour in well-bred conversation with the spinster. In privacy, however,
she inquires of her niece -)
Aunt JEANETTE sings TELL
ME:
"Tell me ... did you find them up there ... that runaway
pair ... and tell them what soldiers here prepare?.. If they don't escape
... as quickly as ... their feet will take ... them then all ... they will
have ... is a prayer."
(FRANCES will say no more than that she was bound to be silent, and
recommends the same precaution to the good aunt. A smile that plays around
the beautiful mouth of FRANCES, while she utters this, satisfies her aunt
that all is as it should be. She urges her niece to take some refreshment
after her fatiguing expedition, when the noise of a horseman riding to the
door, announces the arrival of the Major.)
(He had been found by the courier, who was dispatched by Lt. MASON, impatiently
waiting the return of HARPER to the ferry, and immediately flies to the
place where his friend had been confined, tormented by a thousand conflicting
fears. The heart of FRANCES pounds as she listens to his approaching footsteps.)
(It needs yet another hour to the termination of the shortest period
that the peddler had fixed as the time necessary to effect his escape. Even
HARPER, powerful and well-disposed as he acknowledged himself to be, had
laid great stress upon the importance of detaining the Virginians during
that hour.)
(She has not time, however, to rally her thoughts, before DUNWOODIE enters
one door, as Miss PEYTON, with the readiness of female instinct, retires
through another. The countenance of PEYTON DUNWOODIE is flushed, and an
air of vexation and disappointment pervades his manner. Throwing himself
in a chair-)
DUNWOODIE: 'Twas imprudent, FRANCES, nay, it was unkind, to fly at
the very moment that I had assured him of safety! I can almost persuade
myself that you delight in creating points of difference in our feelings
and duties.
FRANCES: In our duties there may very possibly be a difference, (leaning
her slender form against the wall) but not in our feelings, PEYTON. You
must certainly rejoice in the escape of HENRY.
DUNWOODIE: There was no danger impending. He had the promise of HARPER;
and it is a word never to be doubted. Oh, FRANCES! FRANCES! had you known
the man, you would never have distrusted his assurance; nor would you have
again reduced me to this distressing alternative.
(Pitying his emotions deeply, but eagerly seizing upon every circumstance
to prolong the interview -)
FRANCES: What alternative?
PEYTON: What alternative! Am I not compelled to spend this night in
the saddle to recapture your brother, when I had thought to lay my head
on its pillow, with the happy consciousness of having contributed to his
release? You make me seem your enemy; I, who would cheerfully shed the last
drop of blood in your service. I repeat, FRANCES, it was rash, it was unkind,
it was a sad, sad mistake.
(She bends toward him, and timidly takes one of his hands, while with
the other she gently removes the curls from his burning brow.)
FRANCES: Why go at all, dear PEYTON,? You have done much for your
country, and she cannot exact such a sacrifice as this at your hand.
(Springing to his feet, and pacing the floor with a cheek that burns
through its brown covering, and an eye that sparkles with wounded integrity
-)
PEYTON: FRANCES! Miss WHARTON! It is not my country, but my honor,
that requires the sacrifice. Has he not fled from a guard of my own corps?
But for this, I might have been spared the blow! but if the eyes of the
Virginians are blinded to deception and artifice, their horses are swift
of foot, and their sabers keen. We shall see, before tomorrow's sun, who
will presume to hint that the beauty of the sister furnished a mask to conceal
the brother! Yes, yes; I should like, even now to hear the villain who would
dare to surmise that such treachery existed!
FRANCES: (recoiling from his angry eye) PEYTON, PEYTON, you
curdle my blood. Would you kill my brother?
DUNWOODIE: Would I not die for him! You know I would; but I am distracted
with the cruel surmise to which this step of HENRY's subjects me. What will
Washington think of me, should he learn that I ever became your husband?
FRANCES: If that alone impels you to act so harshly towards my brother,
let it never happen or him to learn.
DUNWOODIE: And this is consolation, FRANCES?
FRANCES: Nay, dear DUNWOODIE, I meant nothing harsh or unkind; but
are you not making us both of more consequence with Washington that the
truth will justify?
DUNWOODIE: I trust that my name is not entirely unknown to the Commander-in-chief,
nor are you as obscure as your modesty would make you. I believe you, FRANCES,
when you say that you pity me, and it must be my task to continue worthy
of such feelings. But I waste the precious moments; we must go through the
hills tonight, that we may be refreshed in time for the duty of tomorrow.
Lt. MASON is already waiting my orders to mount, FRANCES, I leave you with
a heavy heart; pity me, but feel no concern for your brother; he must again
become a prisoner, but every hair of his head is sacred.
FRANCES (gasping for breath as she notices that the hand of the
clock still wanted many minutes to the desired hour): Stop! DUNWOODIE,
I conjure you, before you go on your errand of fastidious duty, read this
note that HENRY has left for you, and which, doubtless, he thought he was
writing to the friend of his youth.
DUNWOODIE: FRANCES, I excuse your feelings; but the time will come
when you will do me justice.
FRANCES: That time is now (extending her hand, unable any longer
to feign a displeasure that she did not feel).
DUNWOODIE: Where got you this note? (glancing his eyes over its
contents) Poor HENRY, you are indeed my friend! If any one wishes me
happiness, it is you.
FRANCES: He does, he does, he wishes you every happiness; believe
what he tells you; every word is true.
DUNWOODIE: I do believe him, lovely girl, and he refers me to you
for its confirmation. Would that I could trust equally to your affections.
FRANCES: You may, PEYTON (looking up with innocent confidence
towards her lover).
DUNWOODIE: Then read for yourself, and verify his words (he holds
the note toward her).
FRANCES reads:
====Life is too precious to be trusted to uncertainties. I
leave you, PEYTON, unknown to all but CAESAR, and I recommend him to your
mercy. But there is a care that weighs me to the earth. Look at my aged
and infirm parent. He will be reproached for the supposed crime of his son.
Look at those helpless sisters that I leave behind me without a protector.
Prove to me that you love us all. Let the clergyman whom you will bring
with you, unite you this night to FRANCES, and become at once, brother,
son and husband.====
(The paper falls from the hands of FRANCES, and she endeavors to raise
her eyes to the face of DUNWOODIE, but they sink abashed to the floor.)
DUNWOODIE: Am I worthy of this confidence? Will you send me out this
night, to meet my own brother? or will it be the officer of Congress in
quest of the officer of Britain?
FRANCES: And would you do less of your duty because I am you wife,
Major DUNWOODIE? in what degree would it better the condition of HENRY?
DUNWOODIE: HENRY I repeat is safe. The word of HARPER is his guarantee;
but I will show the world a bridegroom who is equal to the duty of arresting
the brother of his bride.
(With a musing air, that lights a thousand hopes in the bosom of her
lover.)
FRANCES: And will the world comprehend this refinement?
(The temptation is mighty, and indeed, there seems no other way to detain
DUNWOODIE until the fatal hour has elapsed. The words of HARPER himself,
who had so lately told her that openly he could do but little for HENRY,
and that every thing depends upon gaining time, are deeply engraved upon
her memory. Perhaps there is also a fleeting thought of the possibility
of an eternal separation from her lover, should he proceed and bring back
her brother to punishment. )
DUNWOODIE: Why do you hesitate, dear FRANCES? A few minutes might
give me a husband's claim to protect you?
(FRANCES grows giddy. She turns an anxious eye to the clock, and the
hand seems to linger over its face, as if with intent to torture her.)
DUNWOODIE: Speak, FRANCES, may I summon my good kinswoman? determine,
for time presses.
(She endeavors to reply , but can only whisper something that
is inaudible, but which her lover, with the privilege of immemorial custom,
construes as assent. He turns and flies to the door, when FRANCES recovers
her voice.)
FRANCES: Stop, PEYTON! I cannot enter into such a solemn engagement
with a fraud upon my conscience. I have seen HENRY since his escape, and
time is all-important to him. Here is my hand; if with this knowledge of
the consequences of delay, you will not reject it, it is freely yours.
DUNWOODIE: reject it! I take it as the richest gift of Heaven. There
is time enough for us all. Two hours will take me through these hills; and
by noon, tomorrow I will return with Washington's pardon for your brother,
and HENRY will help to enliven our nuptials.
FRANCES: Then meet me here in ten minutes, (greatly relieved by
unburdening her mind, and filled with the hope of securing HENRY's safety)
and I will return and take those vows, which will bind me to you forever.
FRANCES sings WITH YOU:
"With you ... there is no ending ... With you ...
there was no beginning ... With you ... I knew ... that our love must be
... beyond ... the range ... of eternity ... For you ... my love ... has
grown ... down through the centuries ... since first ... a love ... was
shown ... by Adam for his Eve."
"When that man and woman ... learned to share
... a special love between them ... developed there ... with such a passion
... neither dreamed ... For me .. like some ... there's only one ... I'm
sure ... that God ... has ever deemed ... to be with me... That's you."
DUNWOODIE sings:
"And my ... love, too ... is all for you ... I truly
swear ... I've never cared ... for anyone ... but you."
(DUNWOODIE pauses only to press her once to his bosom, and flies to
communicate his wishes to the priest. FRANCES hurries to find her aunt.)
Scene 99 - Same night in FRANCES's apartment
(In her own apartment, FRANCES locates her aunt JEANETTE, who listens
with infinite astonishment, as -)
FRANCES sings:
"Auntie, never tell of this, please ... but I gave a
note ... that HENRY wrote ... to DUNWOODIE happily ... It said that he should
marry me ... RIGHT NOW ... and I've agreed."
Aunt JEANETTE sings NOW TELL ME:
"Now you hurry in to tell me ... you want to marry
... without any preparations made... It's simply too much ... to handle
such ... last minute rush ... to get all ... proper wedding plans laid."
FRANCES sings I AGREED:
"Auntie, I'm sorry ... but I agreed ... Father is
here ...and SARAH is, too ... and I know I can always count on you ... Your
rev'rend poor dear ... we'll put to good use ... since HENRY has flown ...
we'll have this excuse ... for bringing him here."
(The feeble objections of Miss PEYTON give way to her niece.)
SCENE 100 - Same night in Aunt JEANETTE's apartment
(Mr. WHARTON is too completely a convert to the doctrine of passive
obedience and non-resistance, to withstand any solicitation from an officer
of DUNWOODIE's influence in the rebel armies; and the maid returns to the
aunt's apartment, accompanied by her father and aunt, at the expiration
of the time that she had fixed.)
(DUNWOODIE and the clergyman are already there . FRANCES, silently, and
without the affectation of reserve, places in his hand the wedding-ring
of her own mother, and after some little time spent in arranging Mr. WHARTON
and herself, Miss PEYTON suffers the ceremony to proceed.)
(The clock stands directly before the eyes of FRANCES, and she turns
many an anxious glance at the dial; but the solemn language of the priest
soon catches her attention, and her mind becomes intent on the vows she
is uttering. The ceremony is quickly over, and as the clergyman closes the
words of benediction, the clock strikes the hour of nine. This was the time
HARPER deemed so important, and FRANCES feels as if a mighty load is at
once removed from her heart.)
(DUNWOODIE folds her in his arms, salutes the mild aunt again and again,
and shakes Mr. WHARTON and the divine repeatedly by the hands. In the midst
of the felicitation, a tap is heard at the door. It is opened, and Lt. MASON
appears)
MASON: We are in the saddle, and, with your permission, I will lead
on; as you are so well mounted, you can overtake us at you leisure.
DUNWOODIE: Yes, yes, my good fellow; march. I will reach you at the
first halt.
(The subaltern retires to execute these orders; he is followed by Mr.
WHARTON and the clergyman.
FRANCES: Now, PEYTON, it is indeed a brother that you seek; I am sure
I need not caution you in his behalf, should you unfortunately find him.
PEYTON: Nay, fortunately, for I am determined he shall yet dance at
my wedding. Would that I could win him to our cause! It is the cause of
his country; and I could fight with more pleasure, FRANCES, with your brother
by my side.
FRANCES: Oh, mention it not! You awake terrible reflections.
PEYTON: I will not mention it, but I must now leave you. But the sooner
I go, FRANCES, the sooner I shall return.
(THE noise of a horseman is heard approaching the house, and DUNWOODIE
is yet taking leave of his bride and her aunt, when an officer is shown
into the room by his own man. The gentleman wears the dress of an aid-de-camp,
and the Major at once knows him to be one of the military family of Washington.)
AID-DE-CAMP (bowing to the ladies): Major DUNWOODIE, the Commander-in-chief
has directed me to give you these orders.
(He executes his mission, and takes his leave immediately.)
DUNWOODIE: Here indeed is an unexpected turn in the whole affair,
but I understand it; HARPER got my letter, and already we feel his influence.
FRANCES: Have you news affecting HENRY?
DUNWOODIE: Listen, and you shall judge:
He reads: ====Sir - upon receipt of this, you will concentrate
your squadron, so as to be in front of a covering party which the enemy
has sent up in front of his foragers, by ten o'clock tomorrow, on the heights
of Croton, where you will find a body of foot to support you. The escape
of the British spy has been reported to me, but his arrest is unimportant,
compared with the duty I now assign you. You will, therefore, recall your
men, if any are in pursuit, and endeavor to defeat the enemy forthwith."
Your obedient servant,
Geo. Washington====
DUNWOODIE: Thank God, my hands are washed of HENRY's recapture; I
can now move to my duty with honor.
FRANCES: And with prudence too, dear PEYTON, (with a face as pale
as death) remember, DUNWOODIE, you leave behind you new claims on your
life.
(The youth dwells on her lovely but pallid features with rapture, folds
her to his heart, kisses her willing lips and exclaims -)
PEYTON: For your sake, I will, lovely innocent.
(FRANCES sobs a moment on his bosom, then he tears himself from her presence.)
(Miss PEYTON retires with her niece, to whom she conceives it necessary,
before they separate for the night, to give an admonitory lecture on the
subject of matrimonial duty. Her instruction is modestly received, if not
properly digested.) | 