But you have squeezed IT dry enough, in truth; GRIMES. Sir, this is trifling; and I have no time To waste with triflers. Here is your bond. PERCY. But, hast thou not a daughter? And is she here, or at your house in Town? The money, sir! GRIMES. PERCY. Now really, Master Grimes, I pray you smile; For, by the gay gallants which throng your door, 'Tis plain some bright-eyed maid does dwell with you! The money, sir! GRIMES. PERCY. Oh! you grow worse and worse, like the approach GRIMES. Sir, art here to heap upon me insult? I want the gold I lent thee, sir; four thousand pounds-hard cash- The principal and interest, or this bond is mine! PERCY (crossing R. and taking out a note-book). Then give thou up the foul-faced bond, For here are bills to free it from thee. (Offering bills.) I'm fearful you're surprised? GRIMES (startled for a little time). Notes on a house in Guernsey! Drawn too-by whom? One Lester Burton! Who is he, I pray? PERCY (energetically). A man with better blood in one small vein Than you possess e'en from the head to the foot! GRIMES (going to the table and offering a pen to Percy). Hem! I pray you, pass your name across this line. PERCY (writing). This shall not save thee from a frightful risk Is there no other plan GRIMES. But crossing to the island for the gold? PERCY (violently). No, miserable dog! Go! swim it for thy life! Where is my bond? GRIMES. 'Tis here. (Grimes gives the bond to Percy.) PERCY (taking the bond). Now, take thy hard-wrung profit from thy board, And warm thy heart by gazing on it. (Exit.) GRIMES. This is an unexpected blow, and bad In every way. Well! What ho! Margaret! (Takes out his watch.) Stanton will come anon, and Iola shall pass (Enter Margaret.) Margaret, bid Mistress Iola bring the case Ha! my private signal. (Goes to door-enter Sir William Stanton.) SIR WILLIAM STANTON (advancing L.). Good Master Grimes, once more I am in England! GRIMES (sitting down). More gold-more gold! SIR WILLIAM. Yes, Master Grimes, I come for gold again! GRIMES. Can you not hunt her down? SIR WILLIAM. For more than fifty years I've known thee, Grimes; The agent whom you sent is ruined quite! GRIMES. What dost thou offer in security? SIR WILLIAM. Why, Stanton House and Park-you know it well; Ten miles of York. (Enter IOLA, with case, R. She starts when she sees Sir William; but eventually approaches Grimes, gives the case, kisses Grimes, and retires. Sir William appears to be astonished.) SIR WILLIAM (starting). Why, what is this?a very star! Ah! ah! found out! What wonder is 't that thou (Mockingly.) Canst live secluded in this gloomy house? GRIMES (rising-puts the notes in the case). Hear me, Sir William Stanton ! 'Twas on a summer's eve, as calm as thisWhen not a breath of air swept o'er the leaves Of the cool perfumed grove wherein I mused- Beautiful indeed; and oh! most innocent-and very young. SIR WILLIAM. She is dependent then on you? GRIMES. Yes, sir; but if she wed the man I like, I give her sixty thousand pounds! SIR WILLIAM. And keep her buried here, when she should shed Her light around, even as the stars, |