Scene II The Lawn
Solomon and Peter are discovered arranging the Tenantry.—Rural music.
Enter Count and Countess Wintersen, (the latter leading her Child,) the Baron, Mrs. Haller, Charlotte, and Servants following.
Sol. Welcome, ten thousand welcomes, your Excellencies. Some little preparation made for welcome too. But that will be seen anon.
Count. Well! here we are! Heaven bless our advance and retreat! Mrs. Haller, I bring you an invalid, who in future will swear to no flag but yours.
Mrs. H. Mine flies for retreat and rural happiness.
Count. But not without retreating graces, and retiring cupids too.
Countess. [Who has in the mean time kindly embraced Mrs. Haller, and by her been welcomed to Wintersen.] My dear Count, you forget that I am present.
Count. Why, in the name of chivalry, how can I do less than your gallant brother, the Baron? who has been so kind as nearly to kill my four greys, in order to be here five minutes before me.
Bar. Had I known all the charms of this place, you should have said so with justice.
Countess. Don’t you think William much grown?
Mrs. H. The sweet boy!
[Stoops to kiss him, and deep melancholy overshadows her countenance.
Count. Well, Solomon, you’ve provided a good dinner?
Sol. As good as haste would allow, please your Right Honourable Excellency!
Pet. Yes, as good as—
[Count goes aside with Solomon and Peter.
Bar. Tell me, I conjure you, sister, what jewel you have thus buried in the country?
Countess. Ha! ha! ha! What, brother, you caught at last?
Bar. Answer me.
Countess. Well, her name is Mrs. Haller.
Bar. That I know; but—
Countess. But!—but I know no more myself.
Bar. Jesting apart, I wish to know.
Countess. And, jesting apart, I wish you would not plague me. I have at least a hundred thousand important things to do. Heavens! the vicar may come to pay his respects to me before I have been at my toilet; of course I must consult my looking-glass on the occasion. Come, William, will you help to dress me, or stay with your father?
Count. We’ll take care of him.
Countess. Come, Mrs. Haller.
[Exit with Mrs. Haller, Charlotte following.
Bar. [Aside, and going.] I am in a very singular humour.
Count. Whither so fast, good brother?
Bar. To my apartment: I have letters to—I—
Count. Pshaw! stay. Let us take a turn in the park together.
Bar. Excuse me. I am not perfectly well. I should be but bad company. I—
[Exit.—The Tenantry retire.
Count. Well, Solomon, you are as great a fool as ever, I see.
Sol. Ha! ha! At your Right Honourable Excellency’s service.
Count. [Points to Peter.] Who is that ape in the corner?
Sol. Ape!—Oh! that is—with respect to your Excellency be it spoken—the son of my body; by name, Peter.
[Peter bows.
Count. So, so! Well, how goes all on?
Sol. Well and good; well and good. Your Excellency will see how I’ve improved the park: You’ll not know it again. A hermitage here; serpentine walks there; an obelisk; a ruin; and all so sparingly, all done with the most economical economy.
Count. Well, I’ll have a peep at your obelisk and ruins, while they prepare for dinner!
Sol. I have already ordered it, and will have the honour of attending your Right Honourable Excellency.
Count. Come, lead the way. Peter, attend your young master to the house; we must not tire him.
[Exit, conducted by Solomon.
Pet. We’ll go round this way, your little Excellency, and then we shall see the bridge as we go by; and the new boat, with all the fine ribbands and streamers. This way, your little Excellency.
[Exit, leading the Child.