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_ ACT III - SCENE III
Widow LARKEN'S Cottage.
Widow LARKEN, MABEL, and GILBERT.
Gilb.
And could you doubt me, Mabel, after I told you I loved you?
Mabel.
Never would nor could have doubted,
had you once told me as much, Mr. Gilbert.
Widow.
There was the thing, Mr. Gilbert
--you know it was you that was to speak, if you thought of her.
Gilb.
Do not you remember the rose and the shamrock?
Widow.
Oh! she does well enough;
and that's what her heart was living upon, till I killed the hope.
Gilb.
You!--killed the hope!--I thought you were my friend.
Widow.
And so I am, and was--but when you did not speak.
Gilb.
If I had not loved her so well,
I might have been able, perhaps, to have said more.
Widow.
Then that's enough. Mabel mavourneen, wear the rose he give you now--I'll let you--and see it's fresh enough. She put it in water--oh! she had hope still!
Mabel.
And was not I right to trust him, mother?
Gilb.
Mabel, if I don't do my best to make you happy all my days, I deserve to be--that's all! But I'm going to tell you about the new inn: that's what I have been about ever since, and I'm to have it for sixty guineas.
[Enter OWEN, rubbing his hands.]
Owen.
You see, mother, I was right about Gilbert and Mabel. But Mr. Hope and the band is gone up to the castle. Come, come!--time to be off!--no delay!--Gilbert! Mabel, off with you!
(He pushes them off.)
And glad enough ye are to go together. Mother dear,
here's your bonnet and the cloak,--here round ye throw
--that's it--take my arm.
(Widow stumbles as he pulls her on.)
Oh, I'm putting you past your speed, mother.
Widow.
No, no.--No fear in life for the mother that has the support of such a son. _
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