Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-02-06
The Last Scene
or THE
GREAT PLAY OF
LADY ISABEL OF EAST LYNNE.
THE LAST SCENE


Eme TaRe's ehamber-plainly but tastefaify fur
nished-curta,ned bed at back-lounqe r. a.
WIliam diseorered on Gsa-Kme Fine LADY
fSabel) ar attendance
Isabel blending over bedl.-He sleeps-my
child, my sweet dying babe! Oh, God. that
could know again sleep so soft and peaceful!
Ii could but hear him call me {. Mother
or even ore glance of recognition; oh. with
what happiness would then lay down this
weary burden of my life. He wakes!
Willie (starting up).-Oh. Madame Vine! l
have had such a pretty dream. / thought i
was in a beautiful city, with gates of pearl
and shining precious stones; and streets of
such very bright gold, And there Were love-
" trees and flowers, and harp music; and
sweet songs by angels with shining wings.
Isobel-It is a glimpse OF Heaven that you
have had, darling Oh that we were all there
now!
Walie Madame vine please lay me on the
couch; this bed is SO hard and hot. (She bears
him to the couch.) And please open the win
dow, want to see the sunshine again.
Isabel.-There my child.
Wlhe.-Madame Vine, do You think mamma
will be in heaven. Mamma whom that wick
ed man stole from us,
Isabel-Yes-yes. / hope so, child. 1 hope
so.
WilIte.-I hope SO, too, but you know she
was not quite good to papa and to us; and
sometimes think, suppose she did not grow
good, and ask God to forgive her
Isabel (aside).-Oh--oh-oh My heart is full
to breaking. Oh, God! My own child is now
my Judge.
HHlis.-Do you think she ever prayed,
EaJel.-Oh. William, her whole life after
she left you, was a scene of prayer and re-
pentance. Her sorrow was greater than she
could bear, and her heart broke yearning-
yearning my chilt, after you and your father
(Weeping)
Hdlie.-Why do You weep DO Won know
her!
Eabel.-1es-yes. l knew her abroad.
Willie (eagerly).-Oh, why did you never
tell us that! What was she like, What did
she say,
kabel.-She said she was lfarted from her
children here; but that she would meet them
in Heaven, and be with them here-foreyer.
Fillie.-0h, hope SOL do want to see nv
mamma so much. But will she know US!
Isdbel.-Oh, yes-oh, yes!
Hlitie.-I am i'll again! Oh! hold me- up
Madame Vine, am dying!
Hje'.-Dying-no-no, not vet, Willie!
Help! Help! Running to tie ball.rope r
pulls it violently. Carlyle rushes in Il. L FL
Carlyle What has happened Madame Vine.
isabel.-Oh he is worse! He is sinking! Oh,
Archi-(recoverinG hers IL with much efforD-
Summon DIR. Martin, quich-quick sir!
Carlyle-My son are you gong to leave me
VI dlic Yes, papa, but / am going to see
mamma in Heaven. She wanted US papa; and
her heart broke, and she uied She tola Mad
anne Vine so.
iSddct-Pardon me, sir-I-I-. The child
seemed worried ABOUT its mother-and 1 ONLY
spoke as thought.
Carlyle-I will instantly send for DR. Mar.
tin. Madame Vine, you must be atiguad with
watching. I'll send Corneiia and Barbara Hare
TO relieve you.
IsaJel.-Not her! Oh sir; keep her from
this sacred bedside
Carlyle (surprised).- OF whom do you speak,
isabel.-Oh, sir this little one has $3.50
won my heart that-that am jealous of any
one else watching by his bedside. (Much en-
barrassed)
WiIlie-I only want Madame Vine, papa [
love her.
Carlyle.-Well-well. I'll soon be back.
(Aside.) There is a thrilling familiarity in her
tones. [Going.l
WHtfe.-Oh papa, papa say good bye to me!
Carlyle (fondly kissing him).-Bye-bye, Will
lie! Oh! may all the good angels of Heaven
watch over your couch, my little one. Exit
WdFie-Oh Madame Vlne-I feel so strange:
so light. could fly almost.
Isabel-'Tis death! It's light is in his eyes!
Oh, Willie-Willie. my darling, in this dying
hour look upon me and try to fancy me your
mother! Do not leave me so. Oh.away with
all disguise See William. Look on me, child
1 am your wretched mother! [Casting off her
disguised -..-....-.
Willie starting up) -Mother Dear mother!
[Dies.l ...a.
IsoJel.-He is dead Oh, God. he is dead
TShrIeks.l
Enter Carlyle n. l. Carlye.-Isabel
Isabel.-He is dead-he is dead And 1, too,
am going. Thank God, 1 am going at last.
Oh notwithstanding on her knees with
uplitted hands TO where be stands with his
face hidden in his hands -forgiye ne. deeply
have sinned, but bitterly have l suffered. 1
am dying, Archibald: tut with my latest breath
L swear 10 you i have never ceased TO love
you above all earth. 1 was mad when l
sirned. Oh. husband, 1 am on the verge of
eternity: ere go will You not forgive me! On
Tins holy altar-the corpse of our. child lay
all my sins. Archibaid-bless me, forgive me.
Oh my heart is breaking for it!
Carlyle impulsiyely snatch,ng her to his en-
brace).-God forgive ard bless YOU, Isabel, as
/ do now!
iso"'t kA4sSihS LAC sii1oj.-l dh SuHiinS "
you, darling. Yes, shall see you soon. You
will lay me with him, will you not, l can
not contaminate him now. Turning to Car
lyle and extending both hands to him with
a look of intense affection.) God bless you.
Archibald. Farewell [Dies in the act of
kissing her son
Carigle-until Eternity Bending over body
and supporting its head. Joyce kneels by bed
side OF the child
MUsIc-"TheR you'll remember me-"
PICTURE-CUETAfN.
PRODUCED THIS EVENING AT FORD'S
NEW THEATRE