Chapter X: Act I

Giles Gaussen accosts old Sir Maurice de Beevor,
And puts the poor Knight in a deuce of a fever,
By saying the boy, whom he took out to please him,
Is come back a Captain on purpose to tease him.--
Sir Maurice, who gladly would see Mr. Gaussen
Breaking stones on the highway, or sweeping a crossing,
Dissembles--observes, It's of no use to fret,--
And hints he may find some more work for him yet;
Then calls at the castle, and tells Lady A.
That the boy they had ten years ago sent away
Is return'd a grown man, and, to come to the point,
Will put her son Percy's nose clean out of joint;
But adds, that herself she no longer need vex,
If she'll buy him (Sir Maurice) a farm near the Ex.
"Oh! take it," she cries; "but secure every document."--
"A bargain," says Maurice,--"including the stock you meant?"--

The Captain, meanwhile, With a lover-like smile,
And a fine cambric handkerchief, wipes off the tears
From Miss Violet's eyelash, and hushes her fears.
(That's the Lady he saved from the Dey of Algiers.)
Now arises a delicate point, and this is it--
The young Lady herself is but down on a visit.
She's perplex'd; and, in fact,
Does not know how to act.
It's her very first visit--and then to begin
By asking a stranger--a gentleman, in--
One with moustaches too--and a tuft on his chin--
She "really don't know-- He had much better go,"--
Here the Countess steps in from behind, and says "No!--
Fair sir, you are welcome. Do, pray, stop and dine--
You will take our pot-luck--and we've decentish wine."
He bows, looks at Miss,--and he does not decline.