_Gum._ (_rises and comes forward._) Tax my bill!--well that is odd, very odd! I may as well go and look after my patients. [_Exit._
_James._ I say, Bill, how are you off for a suit of mourning?
_Will._ Thanky for nothing, Jem. If the old gentleman don't go to heaven until I put it on, he will be in a very bad way. Come along, it's no use staying here.
_John._ I say, Tom, how are you off for nineteen pounds nineteen and six? Heh!
_Thos._ Let's toss and see which shall have both legacies. Here goes--heads or tails?
_Thos._ You've won, so there's an end of not only my expectations but realities. Come along, Mrs Jellybags must be anxious to look over her wardrobe.
_John._ Yes, and also the silver watch and the key and seal hanging to it. Good-bye, Jemmy! Ha! ha!
_Clem._ For shame, John. (_Turns to Edward._) My dear Edward, do not appear so downcast. I acknowledge that I am myself much mortified and disappointed--but we must submit to circumstances. What did I tell you before this will was read?--that nothing could alter my feelings towards you, did I not?
_Clem._ Why then annoy yourself, my dear Edward?
_Clem._ Nay, Edward, recollect that he is dead--I can forgive him.
_Edw._ But I won't. Has he not dashed my cup of bliss to the ground? Heavens! what delightful anticipations I had formed of possessing you and competence--all gone!
[_Mrs Jellybags, who has been sitting very still, takes her handkerchief from her eyes and listens._
_Edw._ Yes, gone!--gone for ever! Do you imagine, my ever dear Clementina, that I would be so base, so cruel, so regardless of you and your welfare, to entrap you into marriage with only one hundred and fifty pounds? No, no!--judge me better. I sacrifice myself--my happiness--all for you!--banish myself from your dear presence, and retire to pass the remainder of my existence in misery and regret, maddened with the feeling that some happier mortal will obtain that dear hand, and will rejoice in the possession of those charms which I had too fondly, too credulously, imagined as certain to be mine.
[_Takes out his handkerchief, and covers his face; Clementina also puts her handkerchief to her face and weeps. Mrs Jellybags nods her head ironically._
_Edw._ My honour forbids it. If you knew my feelings--how this poor heart is racked!