_Sir Philip._ [_Starts with horror, then, with solemnity._] It is accomplished! Just Heaven, I bend to thy decree!--Blood must be paid by blood! Henry, that knife aimed by this fatal hand, murdered thy father!
_Miss B._ [_Placing herself between him and her father._] Henry! [_He drops his hand._] Oh, believe him not! 'Twas madness! I've heard him talk thus wildly in his dreams! We are all friends! None will repeat his words--I'm sure none will! My heart will break!--Oh, Henry! will you destroy my father?
_Sir Philip._ Ah, Gerald here! How vain concealment! Well, come you to give evidence of my shame?
_Gerald._ I come to announce one, who for many years has watched each action of your life.
_Sir Philip._ I shall then behold the man who has so long avoided me----
_Gerald._ But ever has been near you--he is here.
_Enter_ MORRINGTON, _wrapped up in his cloak._
_Sir Philip._ Well, behold your victim in his last stage of human wretchedness! Come you to insult me;
[MORRINGTON _clasps his hands together, and hides his face._]
Ah! can even you pity me? Speak--still silent--still mysterious--Well, let me employ what remains of life, in thinking of hereafter--[_Addressing Heaven._] Oh, my brother! we soon shall meet again--And let me hope, that, stripped of those passions which make men devils, I may receive the heavenly balm of thy forgiveness, as I, from my inmost soul, do pardon thee.
[MORRINGTON _becomes convulsed with agony, and falls into_ GERALD'S _arms._]
Ah! what means that agony? He faints! give him air!
[_Starts._] Angels of mercy! my brother! 'tis he! he lives! Henry, support your father!
_Henry._ [_Running to_ MORRINGTON.] Ah, my father! he revives!
[MORRINGTON _recovers--seeing his brother, covers his face with shame, then falls at his feet._]
_Mor._ Crawling in the dust, behold a repentant wretch!--
_Sir Philip._ [_Indignantly._] My brother Morrington!
_Mor._ After the dreadful hour that parted us, agonized with remorse, I was about to punish home what your arm had left unaccomplished; when some angel whispered--"Punishment is life, not death--Live and atone!"
_Mor._ I flew to you--I found you surrounded by sharpers--What was to be done? I became Morrington! littered with villains! practised the arts of devils! braved the assassin's steel! possessed myself of your large estates--lived hateful to myself, detested by mankind--to do what? to save an injured brother from destruction, and lay his fortune at his feet! [_Places parchments before_ SIR PHILIP.]