St. Patrick
you are as much _one_ as any _two_ people in England, Ireland, or
Scotland!
_Fanny._ Merciful powers! there is still justice for the unfortunate!
_Lord A._ (_after a conflict of passion._) And is this really so?
_O'Ded._ You're _man_ and _wife_, sure enough. We've decent proof of
this, too, sir.
_Lord A._ You no doubt expect this intelligence will exasperate me. 'Tis
the reverse. By heaven it lifts a load of guilty wretchedness from my
heart.
_Fanny._ Oh, my lord! my husband!
_Falk._ Can this be genuine? Sudden reformation is ever doubtful.
_Lord A._ It is real! my errors have been the fruits of an unbridled
education. Ambition dazzled me, and wealth was my idol. I have acted
like a villain, and as my conduct has deserved no forgiveness, so will
my degradation be seen without compassion; but this weight of guilt
removed, I will seek happiness and virtue in the arms of my much-injured
Fanny.
_Fanny._ Silent joy is the most heartfelt. I cannot speak my happiness!
My father!
_Falk._ This is beyond my hopes; but adversity is a salutary monitor.
_Sir R._ Still, Charles, to you I am indebted beyond the power of
restitution.
_Char._ My dear father--no--no dear uncle, I mean, here is the reward I
look for.
_Helen._ Ah, Charles--my lord, I mean, I beg pardon--to be sure papa,
ay, and mamma-in-law too, will now no longer withhold their consent.
_Sir W._ Who, me? Not for the world--hey! mercy on us! I forgot your
ladyship (_aside_) do you wish me to decline the honor?
_Lady W._ (_aside._) Why no, as matters have turned out.
_Char._ Then Fortune has indeed smiled on me today!
_Falk._ The cloud of sorrow is passed, and may the sun of joy that now
illumines my face, diffuse its cheering rays on all around us.
_O'Ded._ And sir Willoughby and her ladyship will smile most of us all;
for every body knows they're the happiest man and wife among us.
_Helen._ And while amongst ourselves we anxious trace
The doubtful smile of joy in every face,
There _is_ a smile, which doubt and danger ends----
The smile of approbation from our friends.
THE END.
* * * * *
* * * *
Errors and Inconsistencies: Man and Wife
Spellings were changed only when there was an unambiguous error,
or the word occurred elsewhere with the expected spelling.
Where names in stage directions were inconsistently italiciz
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