SCENE V.--_A hall in Don Diego's castle communicating with the chapel.

The chapel is in the centre of the background. Through curtains is disclosed the altar lighted up, and a priest ready to officiate. In the hall, which is illuminated, a long table is spread with fruit and other delicacies. Music. Enter guests, discoursing animatedly and laughing._

FIRST GUEST. (_To his Partner._) Have you yet seen the bride? They say she's fair.

PARTNER. They say so, but I have not seen her yet. Howbeit, a friend of mine who knew her well When at the Convent of Saint Ursula, Says she is over young. Just turned sixteen; And how a man of Lord Don Diego's years Could fall in love with such a chit, beats me. [_They pass on. Two other guests advance._

LADY OF SECOND GUEST. (_To her Partner._) Ay, true, I think it would more seemly be Were he to marry one of years more ripe.

SECOND GUEST. (_To his Lady._) The older that men grow the more they're pleased With youth. I'm sure I should be so myself. [_They pass on. Third couple advance._

THIRD GUEST. (_To his Lady._) Nay, who'd have thought that poor Don Silvio Could thus so easily pay off his debts? He's in luck's way. As for the blushing bride, Not every day doth heaven rain such fortune.

LADY. (_To Third Guest._) Yet they say that she is most unwilling.

THIRD GUEST. Then, she's a fool. [_They pass on. Fourth couple advance._

LADY. (_To Fourth Guest._) Nay; I have heard it said She weeps and frets, and hath so desp'rate grown, That nought save violence could aught avail To lead her to the altar.

FOURTH GUEST. What a girl! To throw away so glorious a chance! [_They pass on. Two gentlemen meeting._

FIRST GENT. What, comrade, you invited! Ha, ha, ha! The old boy's got some life in him as yet.

SECOND GENT. And good taste, too. I just now caught a glimpse Of the fair bride; and, zounds! I do begrudge Her to the veteran. I myself would choose Just such an one, and were it not her face Were marred by excess of weeping.

FIRST GENT. Indeed! Ha! ha! I never could make out why girls Cry at their wedding. Just the very thing They've looked for, prayed for, schemed for all their lives; Yet, when it comes to don the bridal veil And figure at the altar, then comes straight A bucketful of tears. Hypocrisy!

_Enter_ DON DIEGO, _followed by_ DON SILVIO _pleading_.

SECOND GENT. Here comes the bridegroom; and, as it would seem, Not in the best of humours. Let's withdraw. [_They pass on._

D. DIE. (_To Don Silvio._) Silvio, no more! I'll not be flouted thus Before my guests, in mine own castle, too. I've said that it shall be, and it _shall_ be. I ne'er take back my word. So bid her haste, And put a better face upon the matter. The time is up, and all my guests attend. Go, bring her, then. (_To Guests._) Friends! welcome to this hall.

GUESTS ALL. Long live Lord Don Diego, with much happiness!

D. DIE. Thank ye, my friends. I do regret to say, 'Fore this august and gracious company, That we are likely to experience, This night, some difficulty on the part Of our fair bride. Some singular caprice; Transient, no doubt, but not the less unfit For gay festivity. The fact is that My youthful bride is of a temperament Too highly wrought and o'er hysterical. She only late hath left her convent cell; Her education, therefore, until now Hath rendered her unfit to face the world. Impressionable natures, as we know, Recoil before aught that can cause a strong And powerful emotion. 'Tis the shock They dread. 'Tis nothing. Nay, I do condole With her; ay, from the bottom of my heart. But yet I think it not well to indulge Young folk in such caprice. Therefore, should I, My honoured guests, be forced to assume An air of stern severity unmeet This gay assembly, deem it but as naught; 'Tis firmness that is needed in this case. We men must not be conquered by caprice. As for the girl herself, she loves me well; Nay, passionately.

INEZ. (_Within, distractedly._) No! 'tis false, 'tis false. [_Titter and commotion among the guests._

D. DIE. (_To Don Silvio._) Silvio! Why stand you there, with folded hands? Did I not tell you to lead forth the bride?

D. SIL. She says she _will_ not come.

D. DIE. _Will_ not? Ha! ha! This to my face! _Will_ not, indeed. We'll see. My worthy guests, bear with me if I lose My wonted patience, and in haste let slip Some casual word that may seem unfit The presence of guests so illustrious. My temper's somewhat choleric, and if My will is thwarted I may lose restraint. Silvio, bring forth the maiden straight, I say, Or I will have her dragged to me by force.

INEZ. (_Within._) Oh, mercy! Mercy! Heaven hear my prayer.

A GENTLEMAN. Poor little jade! How I do pity her.

A LADY. And so do I. It makes my heart quite bleed.

D. DIE. A truce to this. Ho! pages, drag her forth.

[_Exeunt two pages, who re-enter, dragging Inez in, who utters a piercing scream. She is dressed in a white dressing gown, her hair dishevelled, and grasping a crucifix. Father Miguel and Gipsy Queen appear at the open door cautiously. Behind lurk Don Pascual and Gipsies._

INEZ. "Oh, Holy Virgin! Save me; save me yet. Thou wilt not thus abandon me."

D. DIE. (_Seizing her by the hair, and dragging her towards the Chapel._) So jade, Since thou hast deemed fit to flout me thus Before my guests, and spurn'st my tenderness, Learn how obedience can be enforced. Come priest. Be ready.

A GUEST. Nay, but this is rape! I cannot stay and see injustice done. I repent me that I was invited.

ANOTHER GUEST. True, and so do I. This is no marriage, But filthy lust and mere abuse of power.

D. DIE. (_To Guards._) Help! Hell and Furies! or I'll have her drugged.

GUESTS ALL. Shame! Shame! Down with Don Diego. Seize the tyrant.

D. DIE. What! Flouted by my very guests. What next?

GUESTS ALL. Virtue to the rescue! Save the maiden!

_Enter_ GIPSY QUEEN _hurriedly, and stands fixing_ DON DIEGO _with her eye, who recoils_.

GIP. Q. Hold! I forbid the banns.

INEZ. Thanks, Holy Virgin, That hast heard my prayer, and sent an angel Down from your high Heaven in hour of need. What glorious halo do I see around That sainted vision! [_Inez falls fainting into the arms of Don Silvio._

D. DIE. Nay, this is madness.

GIP. Q. Hear me, swarthy hag. This castle is mine, And not for such as thee. Begone, I say, Or I will have thee hanged, ere breaks the dawn, From the loftiest turret of this pile.

GIP. Q. Villain, I fear no threats. Look on this bond.

D. DIE. What folly's this? Say, who let these men in?

F'TH. M. (_Advancing._) I, Don Miguel, whom you basely thought To use as instrument in your foul plot, Twenty-two years ago, when you did plan The mockery of a marriage to induce This trusting gipsy to accede to what Your own dark soul did lust for; thinking that 'Twere easy work to dupe the innocent. So, writing to a worthless boon companion, Already in your debt, you promised him To cancel all his debt, and further add Another sum in recompense, were he To condescend to sink himself so low As to enact the part of priest in this False marriage. But that letter never reached Its destination. Djabel, gipsy king, This woman's father, once suspecting guile, As well he might, did send his spies abroad, And so this letter, fell into my hands. I quick conceived the plan to pen reply, As coming from the tool you sought to use, In which 'twas stated that he lay in bed, Ill of a fever, and so could not come, And therefore he would send a substitute To act for him. That substitute was I. I, Father Miguel, with dissembling mien, By you too fully trusted, had access Unto your presence, as you fondly thought, To help you in your plot of the feigned match. But know, base villain, you alone were duped, Your marriage was a real one, and holds good.

D. DIE. This is some false concocted tale, got up For some hellish purpose.

PRIEST. (_At the altar, advances._) Lord Don Diego, I tell you this is no invented tale, This Father Miguel is well known to me, A worthy priest of our most holy Church. The bond is valid.

D. DIE. Flouted on all sides! How now! Do I dream? Am I master here, Or am I not?

F'TH. M. Another Master there's Above us all, more powerful than thou, Dispensing justice and avenging wrong.

D. DIE. What cant is this? Ho! guards, cut down the rabble.

[_Some halberdiers advance. D. Pascual and gipsies put themselves on the defensive._

F'TH. M. Raise but a finger, or cause to be raised An arm in thy defence, and dread the worst.

D. DIE. This from a shaven crown! A pretty plight For feudal lord to be in! What ho! guards. [_A skirmish ensues, and guards are beaten back by gipsies._ On, cowards, on! Where are my men-at-arms?

F'TH. M. All drugged, and powerless by my device. They sleep like dead men. Seek no help from them.

D. DIE. Damnation! Am I worsted by a priest And gang of squalid gipsies? Ho! my men, Go, rouse the sluggards! Bring my armour, quick.

F'TH. M. (_To Guards._) Budge but an inch, and not a man of ye shall see to-morrow's sun.

D. DIE. How now! Who's he That threatens and gives orders in my hall? Have I no friends among these honoured guests To save me from these insults? Who am I?

F'TH. M. A sinner, made amenable to law.

D. DIE. (_Laughs diabolically._) Ha, ha! This craven's insolence is such It well nigh moves my laughter. How now! guests, Not one sword drawn! No single arm upraised.

A GUEST. My Lord Don Diego, in a cause that's just My sword is at your service. So say all The others. But we will not fight for wrong. Let us be first persuaded if this priest Have right upon his side. Show us the bond.

D. DIE. The bond is but a forgery.

D. PAS. 'Tis false, Thou lying knave. I'll make thee eat thy words.

D. DIE. Who is this mongrel gipsy, bold of tongue, Who beards us with drawn sword.

F'TH. M. Your lawful son, Of this poor gipsy born in holy marriage.

D. DIE. The tale is too preposterous.

OFFICIATING PRIEST. Nay, look Well on the bond, Don Diego.

GUESTS ALL. Ay, the bond.

D. DIE (_To Officiating Priest._) And thou, Sir Shaveling, didst thou not come here To-night to draw up deed of legal marriage? And dost thou now come forward and take part With this base priest, who for some plan of his----

OFF. PRIEST. My compliance was but in appearance. I came, well knowing of your former marriage, Twenty-two years ago, as saith the bond, With her they call the Gipsy Queen. All this I had from Father Miguel; and besides, Have well perused the bond, which, being valid, I could not undertake to tie the knot In conscience, and have no intent to do 't.

D. DIE. I was but mocked, then?

GUESTS ALL. Come, the bond! the bond!

D. DIE. Give me the bond. I'll soon cut short this work.

[_Snatches the bond from the hands of Gipsy Queen. Glances hastily over it, and proceeds to tear it._

'Tis false. This is no signature of mine.

GIP. Q. Darest to deny thy bond? Die, villain, then, In this thy perjury! [_Stabs Don Diego._

D. DIE. Help! help! I bleed. [_Falls._

GUARDS. Don Diego to the rescue! Seize the hag. [_Guards and a few guests lay hands on Gipsy Queen._

D. PAS. (_Furiously._) Leave go, my mother. He that lays a hand Upon her person, I'll send straight to hell.

A GUEST. (_Advancing with drawn sword._) Secure this furious and audacious youth.

D. PAS. Have at thee, then. [_Kills guest._

GUEST I die. [_Dies._

TWO GUESTS. (_Advancing._) Hold him! hold him!

[_Both guests attack Pascual at once, but are driven back. Guards come up and attempt to seize him. Gipsies attack guards, and a general skirmish ensues. Two guards are killed by gipsies. One gipsy falls. Don Silvio bears off Inez in the confusion._

F'TH. M. Peace, brethren, for a while, and no more blood.

A GUEST. Look to Don Diego, friends, and seize the hag.

[_All surround Gipsy Queen, who stabs herself and falls. All draw back._

GIP. Q. This life is forfeit. I for vengeance lived; My mission is accomplished upon earth. I vowed to heaven. Heaven has heard my prayer. And I depart.

D. PAS. (_Rushes up, and throws himself beside the Gipsy Queen._) Oh, mother! dear mother.

D. DIE. Help! help! Who has put out the lights and left Me all in darkness?

A GUEST. No one, noble lord.

F'TH. M. 'Tis but the darkness of thine own dark soul, Now upon the brink of eternity; I counsel thee, confess, and then receive The consolation that the Church affords.

D. DIE. Water! I thirst. Alas! how grim is death! I am afraid to die. I burn! I burn! How hideous all the forms that flit around;

OFFICIATING PRIEST. My lord Don Diego, prithee die not thus; But ask forgiveness first, of all you've wronged.

D. DIE. Good father, willingly; but who would grant Forgiveness unto such a wretch as I?

GIP. Q. I, Pepa, thy true wife, forgiveness grants, And craves the like from thee.

D. DIE. What! Pepa, _thou_; Thou canst forgive me? Thou, my poor wronged wife. Let us exchange forgiveness then, for I Have well deserved this blow. Come round me, friends, Whilst breath yet lasts, and witness bear to this. I leave my castle, all my lands and goods, Unto my lawful son. How is he called?

F'TH. M. Pascual.

D. DIE. Son Pascual, thy hand. Forgive the wrongs I've done thee, e'en as thou thyself wouldst hope In thy last hour to be forgiven. Hold, There's still another I have deeply wronged, From whom I'd crave forgiveness. Bring her here.

F'TH. M. (_To Attendant._) Don Diego means the Lady Inez. Haste And bring her hither, with Don Silvio. [_Exit Attendants._

_Enter_ DON SILVIO, _supporting_ INEZ.

D. DIE. Behold me, Inez, penitent, subdued. Art thou content that heaven hath heard thy prayer? I've wronged thee much. I frankly do confess. Forgive me, Inez child, ere I depart An thou canst.

INEZ. I do. [_Giving her hand and sobbing._

D. DIE. And friend Silvio, The like I'd have from thee, and all I've wronged.

D. SIL. Friend Diego, take his hand. I would not add One pang to that which thine own heart must feel, By holding back my pardon at the last. Therefore, with all my heart I pardon thee.

D. DIE. Thanks, old friend, Silvio; I already feel Better prepared to die. Farewell, my friends. [_Inez for the first time perceiving Pascual._

INEZ. Pascual!

D. PAS. Inez!

D. DIE. Come now, my children both, I know your minds. Come let me join your hands.

[_Pascual and Inez kneel beside Don Diego, who joins their hands._

Receive my blessing, children, and forgive A poor old sinner when he is no more. Pray for my soul, and ere this clay be cold, Let this hand clasp thy mother's, son Pascual. Pepa, thy hand.

GIP. Q. Diego, with all my heart. [_Pascual joins their hands._ Let us die thus, and hand in hand to heaven Let our souls soar. Kiss me, my children, both. Look how my father Djabel smiles on us, And beckons us away from earth. Adios. [_Don Diego and Gipsy Queen expire._

[_Guests kneel and pray. Curtain._

END OF THE GIPSY QUEEN.

* * * * *

At the conclusion of the play our tragedian rolled up his MS. and returned it to his pocket, while various were the expressions of approval from the members of the club.

All now seemed to look towards Mr. Oldstone for his criticism of the play before pronouncing any decided opinion of their own. This was a deference they paid him as chairman, and because he was the oldest member present. It was evident that this worthy was accustomed to be appealed to in matters of importance, and expected it in the present instance in particular, for he had already stretched out his legs, thrown himself back in his arm-chair, closed his eyes, and clasped his hands together over his comely paunch, while his thumbs performed a rotary motion, one round the other, a sure sign with him that whatever his lips might utter would be the result of deep thought and mature deliberation. Our members awaited in silence the words of wisdom about to issue from the lips of the oracle.

To fill up the time in the interim, Professor Cyanite filled up a pipe of tobacco, and was about to light it. Mr. Crucible drew out his snuff box, and was preparing to take a copious pinch. Dr. Bleedem looked at his watch, when suddenly a knock at the door caused the members to raise their heads.

"Come in!" cried several voices at once. The door opened, and Helen stood in the doorway.

"If you please, gentlemen," said the girl, blushing, and with charming modesty, "Mr. McGuilp says that he has finished my portrait, and would the gentlemen of the club like to look at it before it gets too dark."

"Of course we will, my dear, of course we will," answered Mr. Oldstone, his fingers immediately unclasping themselves and grasping the arms of the chair, preparatory to rising to his feet.

"Come along, gentlemen." No further invitation was needed. Professor Cyanite laid down his pipe unlighted. Mr. Crucible replaced the grains of snuff, he had intended conveying to his nose, back into his snuff box, which he closed with a snap and returned to his pocket. There was a general stir among the members, who rose and followed Helen to the room upstairs, that our artist had _pro tem._ transformed into a studio.

Jack Hearty and his spouse were already in the room when the members of the club appeared at the door.

"Yes, that's our Helen, to a T, and no mistake," he was saying. "Well, its just wonderful, and as like her mother, when she was her age, as one egg is to another. Eh? Molly," said he, addressing his spouse.

"Beg pardon, sir. I hope no offence," continued the landlord, turning deferentially towards our artist.

"But what might such a picture be worth, if I might ask?"

"The wealth of the universe wouldn't purchase it, my good host," replied McGuilp. "It is the best thing I ever did, and that perhaps I ever shall do. No, this one is not for sale. I do not say but that at some future time I might do another from it, and then----"

At this juncture, the members of the club, headed by Mr. Oldstone, entered the studio. Our host and hostess respectfully withdrew, in order to give the gentlemen a better chance of examining the picture, but even then the room was as crowded as an exhibition on a private view day. Mr. Oldstone had placed himself in front of the easel, and was soon loud in his expressions of enthusiasm.

"Excellent! most excellent! Beautiful! beautiful! beautiful! What flesh tints! What colouring! What refinement of drawing and expression! As a likeness it is perfect, there is no gainsaying. Then, the pose--simple, graceful, and natural. My dear young friend," he said, shaking our artist by the hand, and seeming overcome by emotion, "Do you know _what_ you have realised? Why, it is the hand of a master!" etc., etc.

Then each of the members in turn made their own remarks upon the portrait.

"What a picture of life and health!" cried Dr. Bleedem.

"What a face for the stage!" remarked the tragedian.

"Ah! why was not I born a painter?" sighed Mr. Parnassus.

The analytical chemist made a few scientific remarks upon the properties of pigments, in which Professor Cyanite joined, whilst our artist silently removed the colours from his palette.

"And what do you propose doing with the portrait, Mr.--er--Mr. McGuilp?" inquired Mr. Hardcase. "Keep it," replied our artist, laconically.

"What! _keep_ it all to yourself!" exclaimed Mr. Oldstone. "For your own selfish gratification, thereby depriving others of the pleasure to be derived therefrom! Mr. McGuilp, I am surprised at you. Gentlemen," proceeded the antiquary, addressing his fellow members, "I protest against this decision of our young friend. That picture does not leave this inn if _I_ can help it. Mr. McGuilp, your price. What is it? We will all club together and buy it, won't we gentlemen?"

"Ay, ay! so say we all," cried several voices at once.

"Impossible, my dear sir--impossible," remonstrated our artist.

"_Impossible!_ Why?"

"I feel I shall never surpass this," answered McGuilp. "It is a sample work. I can make use of it in many ways as a study. But this I will do. I will protract my stay yet a few days, though I have already remained longer than I intended, and I will make a copy of the picture, which it shall be my pleasure to present to the honoured members of this club." Murmurs of applause and thanks followed this speech, after which the company dispersed until dinner-time.