[_Rushing forward, snatching the basin from THE DEAN and sinking on to his knees._] No, no! Don't, don't! You wouldn't 'ang the holdest servant in the Deanery.
I did it! I 'ad a honest fancy for Bonny Betsy, and I wanted this gentleman's 'orse out of the way. And while you was mixing the dose with the best ecclesiastical intentions, I hintroduced a foreign element.
[_Pulling BLORE up by his coat collar._] Viper!
Oh sir, it was hall for the sake of the Dean.
The dear Dean had only Fifty Pounds to spare for sporting purposes, and I thought a gentleman of 'is 'igh standing ought to have a certainty.
I can conceal it no longer--I--I instructed this unworthy creature to back Dandy Dick on behalf of the Restoration Fund.
Why not? In the name of that tottering Spire, why not?
Oh, sir, thinking as you'd given some of the mixture to Dandy I put your cheerful little offering on to Bonny Betsy.
Oh! [_To BLORE._] I could have pardoned everything but this last act of disobedience. You are unworthy of the Deanery. Leave it for some ordinary household.
If I leave the Deanery, I shall give my reasons, and then what'll folks think of you and me in our old age?
You wouldn't spread this tale in St. Marvells?
Not if sober, sir--but suppose grief drove me to my cups?
I must save you from intemperance at any cost. Remain in my service--a sad, sober and, above all, a silent man!
[_SALOME and SHEBA appear as BLORE goes out through the window._
If you have sufficiently merged all sense of moral rectitude as to declare that I am not at home, do so.
No, no. Papa; we have accidentally discovered that you, our parent, have stooped to deception, if not to crime.
We are still young--the sooner, therefore, we are removed from any unfortunate influence the better.
We have an opportunity of beginning life afresh.
These two gallant gentlemen have proposed for us.
[_He goes out rapidly, followed by SALOME and SHEBA. Directly they have disappeared, NOAH TOPPING, looking dishevelled, rushes in at the window, with HANNAH clinging to him._
[_Glaring round the room._] Is this 'ere the Deanery?
[_GEORGIANA and SIR TRISTRAM come to him._
Theer's been a man rescued from my lawful custody while my face was unofficially held downwards in the mud. The villain has been traced back to the Deanery.