[Exit JACKSON.
Starbottle. One moment, a single moment, Miss Mary. Permit me to--
er--if I may so express myself, to--er--group the party, to--er--
place the--er--present company into position. I have--er--observed
as part of my--er--legal experience, that in cases of moral
illustration a great, I may say--er--tremendous, effect on the--er--
jury, I mean the--er--guilty party, has been produced by the
attitude of the--er--victim and martyr. You, madam, as the--er--
injured wife (placing her), shall stand here, firm yet expectant,
protecting your child, yet looking hopefully for assistance toward
its natural protector. You, Miss Mary, shall stand here (placing
her), as Moral Retribution, leaning toward and slightly appealing
to me, the image of--er--er--Inflexible Justice! (Inflates his
chest, puts his hand in his bosom, and strikes an attitude.)
Door of young Morton's room opens, and discloses MR. OAKHURST
gazing at the group. He starts slightly on observing the DUCHESS,
but instantly recovers himself, and faces the company coldly. The
DUCHESS starts on observing OAKHURST, and struggles in confusion
towards the door, dragging with her the child and MISS MARY, who
endeavors to re-assure her. COL. STARBOTTLE looks in astonishment
from one to the other, and advances to front.
Col. Starbottle (aside). The--er--tableau, although striking in
moral force, is apparently--er--deficient in moral stamina.
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