[Enter Phoebe Marks, followed by Luke he...

[Enter Phoebe Marks, followed by Luke her cousin, from r., he is dressed in velveteen coat, flowered waistcoat, and cord breeches and gaiters, and has a rough dissipated appearance.]

Phoebe. I tell you, Marks, you mustn't come here.

Luke. And I tell'ee I will. You be my sweetheart, bound in promise to marry me these six years, and 'taint likely when I know you've a good place that I'm likely to cry off. You've been rising- in servitude o' late; first you were housemaid, then parlor-maid, now you be lady's maid, at the top o' the servant's tree like; so as that be the case, I, as your sweetheart, ought to reap some of the fruits. I wants some money. (holds out his hand)

Phoebe. (gives money) I wish you'd work, Luke, instead of skulking about from one public house to another all day long; I am ashamed of you.

Luke. I'll reform when I marry you, Phoebe.

Phoebe. A poor prospect I shall have in marrying you, I'm —afraid.

Luke. Well, I know I'm not over steady; but it riles me, Phoebe, to see the luck o' some folks; look at Lady Audley, for instance,— why what was she a couple of years ago? why only a governess, a teacher of French and the pianny, and now she be- mistress o' Audley Court. Ecod, she has played her cards well, to get the right side o' Sir Michael ; why he must be old enough to be her grandfather.

Phoebe. Quite old enough; but he's very fond of her, and she's fond of him.

Luke. Aye, it be to her interest to seem so. Now you appear to be very fond o' me, but I don't know whether you be or no. Bah ! women be strange cattle.

Phoebe. You have no cause to say so as regards me, Luke. Any girl but me would have broken off with you long ago.

Luke. Well, well, I know I have been goin' the racket; but I'll reform, I'll leave this place and all my evil ways and companions. I should like to go to some o' those places abroad, Phoebe, where they say land can be got for the mere asking; it be expensive to reach there, that's the worst on't. But I say, Phoebe, (going up to her) one o' them diamond earrings o' my lady's, or one of Sir Michael's rings as he wears would fetch a little fortune if turned into money. Couldn't you manage to lay hold o' one, give it to me, and...

Phoebe. For shame, Luke! You are my cousin, 'tis true; but if you dare to tempt me again with such wicked words, I'll treat you as the greatest stranger in the world. A fine prospect I have to look forward to, it seems! This is my master, Sir Michael Audley's birthday, and all the folks are in their best but you. Go, Luke, go; for if either my master or mistress see you — what will they think?

Luke. Let 'em think what they like. Who cares for they?

Phoebe. I do, if you don't.

Luke. Well, I'll go down to the inn at Mount Stanning, and come up and see you again by-and-by. I hear, you're going to have fine merry-making up here, morris-dancing, fiddling, capering, and what's better than all, good drinking, from the old ale in the baronet's cellars. I'll spruce myself up a bit, and make one of the party. All be welcome on a day like this, eh .?

Phoebe. All who behave themselves.

Luke. Oh ! I'll behave myself, [aside) While people's eyes be on me, and when they bean't, off I go into the woods to see how my snares be, as I set for the rabbits and hares. (aloud) Goodbye, my wench; don't you fret about me. It's a long lane as has no turning, and I'll be another man afore long; marry thee and drive thee to market in my shay cart, singing " Gee wo, Dobbin, gee wo, Dobbin, gee wo, Dobbin, Gee up and gee wo."

[Exit]

Phoebe. Poor Luke, I'm afraid you're almost too far gone to mend. I'd give him up altogether, if I were not afraid it would drive him to drink more than ever. I can't help remembering he's my cousin, and that I'm bound to him by a promise to my poor dead mother. She always wished we should marry. So I must keep my word, and trust for the best. (music and distant shouts) Ah, here come my master and mistress; how happy they seem, happier than I can ever be with Luke Marks, I'm afraid.

[For full play text, please see: Lady Audley's Secret]

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