SCENE II.—Front and Cut Wood

Enter WILLIAM, RENCELAW, AGNES, Boy, Farmers, and Police Officers, R.

  All right; we're here first, now for ambuscade. All hide behind the trees. Hush! I hear a foot-step; he's coming round the barn. Close, close. [All retire, L.

Enter CRIBBS cautious and fearful, L.

  All's safe—I'm certain no one has observed me.

  [Aside.] What would you like to bet?

  Hark! 'tis nothing. Now for the will; from this fatal evidence I shall at least be secure. [Advances to the mound, R., and starts.] Powers of mischief! the earth is freshly turned. [Searches.] The deed is gone!

Enter AGNES hastily, and down, L.—In a tone of madness.

  [Parylized and recovering.] Ha! betrayed! ruined! Mad devil, you shall pay for this. [Rushes toward her.

WILLIAM enters, catches his arm, and hold up the will.—Police-officer, who has got to R., seizes other arm, and points pistol to his head.—RENCELAW holds up forged check, and points to it.—Boy, R., pointing to Cribbs.—Farmers, R. C.—Picture.—Pause.

  Trapped! All day with you Squire.

  Hush! William, do not oppress a poor,

  [Recovering—bold and obdurate.] Will your pity save me from the punishment of my misdeeds? No! when compassion is required, I'll beg it of the proud philanthropist, Arden Rencelaw.

  Unhappy wretch. What motives could you have? This world's goods were plenty with you—what tempted you into these double deeds of guilt?

  Revenge and avarice, the master passions of my nature. With my heart's deepest, blackest feelings, I hated the father of Edward Middleton. In early life he detected me in an act of vile atrocity, that might have cost me my life. He would not betray, but pardoned, pitied, and despised me. From that hour I hated with a feeling of intensity that has existed even beyond the grave, descending unimpaired to his noble son. By cunning means, which you would call hypocrisy, I wormed myself into the favor of the grandfather, who, in his dying hour, delivered into my hands his papers. I and an accomplice, whom I bribed, forged the false papers; the villain left the country. Fearful he should denounce me, should he return, I dared not destroy the real will; but yesterday the news reached me that he was dead. And now, one blow of evil fortune has destroyed me.

  Repentence may yet avail you.

  Nothing. I have lived a villain—a villain let me die. [Exit with Officers and Farmers.

  William, tell Middleton I shall see him in a day or two; I must follow that poor man to New York.

  Oh, Mr. Rencelaw, what blessings can repay you.

  The blessings of my own approving conscience. "The heart of the feeling man is like the noble tree, which, wounded itself, yet pours forth precious balm." When the just man quits this transitory world, the dark angel of death enshrouds him with heavenly joy, and bears his smiling spirit to the bright regions of eternal bliss. [Exit Rencelaw, leading boy, R.

  Well, if there's a happier man in all York State than Bill Dowton, I should like to see him. My brother Edward again a man,—you, my dear sister, again