354 Horce Polonicce. [April, 



An. It is not yet night : come at all events, and sup at home. 



Dr. I am not hungiy. I'll go drink a cup in the public-house ; to-morrow at day- 

 break you will bring me my breakfast under the large tree. Do you hear me, girl ? 



All. Yes, father. 



Dr. Why are you running away so fast ? 



An. Because I hear the voice of Mr. John ! 



Dr, What ! are you afraid of your sweetheart ? 



An. Listen, father, I will never be Mr. John's wife ! 



Dr. Hear me, Annette, liear me— speak to me sincerely. Have you any fancy for 

 him? 



An. Can't you read my heart as well as myself? 



Dr. I'll not force your inclinations ! I have not a mercenary mind, as every one 

 knows, but I have not a penny to give you, and Mr. John is said to have something. 

 Think on it, and say yes or no. 



An. He is coming — I must run away ! there's my answer ! [She runs off. 



The conversation of Mr. John, who now enters, turns on his pretensions to 

 the hand of Annette. Drewinsky asks : — 



Have you spoken to her on the subject? 



Mr. J. Yes, I have. 



Dr. And wliat did she say to you ? 



Mr. J. Every tiling very flattering : Mr. Jolm, said she, with her most agreeable 

 little voice, I am very much obliged to you for your attentions, but I have no inclina-. 

 tion whatever for you. 



Dr. Very flattering indeed ' 



Mr. John presses for the father's interference, but he declares he will leave it 

 entirely to the girl, and turns the conversation to a more interesting subject — 

 the importation of a fresh batch of tokay, lately made by Mr. John, which the 

 latter proceeds to fetch. 



A stranger — Vincent — now makes his appearance, asking the way to the house 

 of Mrs. Kriwdine, of whom it seems he was an accepted lover. It appears 

 that he left her to make his fortune, and now returns without a farthing; on 

 which, Drewinsky, to whom he tells his story, laughs at his chance of success 

 from so sordid a woman. 



This making a confidant of a stranger at the first interview is an old piece of 

 stage tactics, but it is not so uncommon in thinly peopled countries as it would 

 be in London. All travellers in the north of Europe are exposed to be ques- 

 tioned by every one they meet, and the same practice annoys us in the United 

 States of America. The next scene is between Vincent and Mrs. K., who 

 conies on the stage as the forester leaves it. 



Vin. Such is the way people judge of the most estimable sentiments. AHiat do I 

 see? I cannot be mistaken ! itishornir — her figure; it |s herself! (with emotion) Tjdrs, 

 Kriwdine ! 



Mrs. K. Who calls me? 



Vin. She is more beautifid than ever ! 



Mrs. K. Who are you ? 



Vin. The most attached and faithful of lovers. 



Mrs. K. (astonished) A lover ! what can the man mean ? 



Vin. Y'our own Vincent is before you, and your heart does not acknowledge it, 



Mrs. K. Vincent! 



Vin. The same. 



Mrs. K. After eight years' absence, Vincent here ! It is impossible I 



Vin. Do you think it is my ghost? 



Mrs. K. I thought you were dead. 



Vin. A cool reception ! 



Mrs- K. I can scarce^ believe it. Is it then you that I see again? Is it Vincent? 

 Seriously ? — Y'ou are sadly altered ! 



Vin. Tempests, shipwrecks, all the evils of long voyages, may easily alter the 

 appearance. 



Mrs. K. You have, tlien, travelled much ? 



Vin. All over the world ! But in all the changes of country and climate, I have 

 pever changed my heart. 



Mrs. K. You must have seen wonderful things, which would no doubt be very 

 interesting to hear ; but tell me, «!iere did you go first after leaving this ? 



