Clifford Castle Author:John Duncan Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: ACT I. SCENE I.—The Hall of Clifford Castle. Enter Gregory, Winifred, and Servants. Greg. To-day his Lordship returns to the Castle. Many years have the... more » Cliffords been absent.—Two of this noble family have fallen in the civil wars between the houses of York and Lancaster.— Thank Heaven! those battles are at an end, and the red and white roses grafted on the same stock.—Our noble master, though not so warlike as his ancestors, possesses every virtue which can ennoble human nature.—For rearing of grain, planting of timber, and fattening of cattle, his match is not in England.—Bobs! my old heart grows light to think of his return.—Now, to your several duties, that all may be ready by the time of his arrival.—[Exeunt Servants.]—You, Winifred, will have the apartments in the western turret opened, cleaned, and properly aired, for there, I suppose, his Lordship will sleep. Win. But, Gregory, a word with yoM. Greg. As many as you please, Dame Winifred, —I am in too good humour to be cross to-day.— A hundred would not have served you twenty years ago, and twice that number won't now, or I am mistaken.—But, pray don't abuse my good nature, nor attempt an imitation of the clapper of Farmer Stubb's mill. Win. You are mistaken, Gregory, for let me assure you, I was not more praised in my youth for beauty, than I am in my middle age for discretion and taciturnity.—Lord! how foolish it is for women to be always babbling and telling long stories! I remember, last Whitsunday was a-year, when I was sitting in the little parlour behind the larder, and Susan with me, comes in a sweet- faced well-spoken gentleman, to desire to see the Castle. Sir, says I, many persons would not be pleased with the intrusion of a stranger, but I have been bred to courtesy and politeness, and so, Sir,...« less