/ 



1826.] Horce Polonica. 3o9 



Second Officer. I agree with you ; but Jiere comes the young man. 



First Ojficer. He lias an lionest face ; I ttiiiik he will make a good use of his wealth . 

 f Taking off' liis hat to Vincent with avert/ polite bow J Pardon me, Sir, if we this 

 morning 



Vin. You did your duty. You did not know me, &c. &c. 



The alteration of fortune makes a great change in Vincent's station. It is 

 first rendered visible in a droll scene between him and the innkeeper, who changes 

 his tone most amusingly when he finds that the poor fellow, who had made a vain 

 effort to diddle him out of a supper, had become a rich man. Drewinsky, 

 however, who has heard nothing of it, has discovered his daughter's affection for 

 the pennyless stranger, and with a great degree of kindness comes to offer him 

 her hand, adding, that he thinks he will be able to procure for him a situation in 

 the forest which will support the yoang couple. Vincent of course thanks him, 

 asks time to consider, and invites him to su[) with a great friend of his, intending 

 to surprise him by meeting him himself as the entertainer at a banquet he has 

 ordered at Mr. John's. But he is not able to keep his secret long, for Mrs. 

 Kriwdine now appears, and in his joy and triumph he cannot help taunting her 

 with his unex|)ected success. She, who thinks that he had brought the money 

 with him, and only wislied to try her affection by counterfeiting poverty, is very 

 much mortified at her mistake, and makes an effort (a clumsily executed one, it 

 must be confessed) to persuade him that it was only in jest that she had assumed 

 the coolness she displayed the night before. It will not do. Vincent offers 

 himself to Annette, who had not known her father's proceedings, and is accept- 

 ed, rather more easily than would be allowed in comedies of more fashionable 

 life. All is going on very well, therefore, when another turn of chance occurs. 

 Mr. John enters, arguing loudly with Mr. Loupandin, and proving incontestably 

 that the 500,000 florins belonged to him. 



The case is, however, referred to the judge, contrary to Vincent's desire, 

 who thinks it so clear against himself that he wishes to give it up; and the 

 fifth act opens with the outrageous joy of John, who has been declared the 

 true owner of the money by llie judge, to whose decision the cause had 

 been left. He tears down his sign, curses the trade of innkeeper, and deter- 

 mines to live a gentleman all the rest of his life. He insults Vincent very loudly, 

 and demands the hand of Annette, who firmly refuses him. Out of mere spite 

 he offers himself to Mrs. Kriwdine, who after a very little reluctance is urged by 

 his wealth and her anger against Vincent to consent, and after some insulting 

 speeches they quit the stage to have their marriage contract drawn up by the 

 notary, who has borne so conspicuous a part in the whole business. While 

 they are absent, Vincent declares that though when rich he would have made 

 Annette sharer of his prosperity, he could not think of making her a partner of 

 his poverty, and after bidding her a solemn adieu he prepares to depart. Drew- 

 insky catches him by the arm to detain him, when the scientific traveller who 

 had left the money with the notary, ajjpears. His horse had died on the journey, 

 and he was delayed in consequence. He had known nothing of Vincent's 

 acquittal of the charge of robbery which he had brought against him, and seeing 

 Prewinsky seizing the supposed culprit, he calls loudly for assistance to detain 

 him. When the officers appear he is, however, informed of his error, and 

 makes an ample apology. 



His arrival, like most theatrical arrivals, was in good time, for while he is apo- 

 logizing, the notary— who has been struck with Vincent's disinterested conduct, 

 in giving up the money which he might have so easily contested, if not retained — 

 comes forward to ask the young man to offer him a share in his house until he 

 was settled. He of course sees the man of science, and asks him what kept 

 him so long in the village. This, being explained, the notary is asked in his turn— 



Trav. Well, Mr. Notaiy, have you found the man for the 500,000 florins ? 



Loup. Yes, Sir, he has it now in his possession ! 



Trav. So miich the better, I am perfectly delighted. 



J.oup. I was very near making a sad mistake, for this gentleman has the same name. 



