Act II, Scene III
SCENE THIRD.
-- A Landscape.
Enter STRUTT and LISETTA, L.
Strut.
Well, Lisetta, and now having, by your assistance, escaped from
the clutches of that cantankerous old father of yours. What is
next to be done?
Liset.
Why as I have got out of his clutches at the same time, and so
lost my natural protector, what do you think you ought to do
next?
Strut.
Why, I suppose you think I ought to marry you?
Liset.
Whilst you, perhaps, are of a very different opinion.
Strut.
Not in the least, my angel; but then my poor master, he perhaps
is in trouble, and requires my assistance; and to desert him in
the hour of need -- I could not {21} do it, Lisetta; no, not to
possess such a treasure as yourself.
Liset.
And if you could I should despise you for it. But suppose, Mr.
Strutt, we were both to go and assist him. Two heads, they say,
are better than one, and so are two pair of hands, and instead of
having one faithful follower he would have a couple, that's all.
Strut.
What! no, you don't mean it, do you? Will you really take me for
better for worse, and go with me in search of my poor dear
master? Well, I always thought you were a good creature, but now
you're a perfect divinity, and I'll adore you.
Liset.
Who knows, perhaps Mr. Frankenstein may get married too, and then
he'll have better employment than making monsters.
Strut.
Oh, that monster! don't mention him, Lisetta. If he should be
with my master now, do you think you would have the courage to
face him? I'm not quite sure that I should.
Liset.
Oh, never doubt me; if I take him in hand, I'll bring him to his
senses, I warrant me, for if a spirited woman can't tame him, he
must be a very fierce ungovernable devil indeed. (a scream is
heard without.)
Strut.
Ah, what means that shriek? See, yonder, where the demon comes,
he bears with him both a woman and a child. She does not
seem to have made much of a hand of him, at any rate. Here, back,
back, conceal yourself, Lisetta, I would not have him come within
arm's length of you for the world. (he pulls her behind a
tree, L. 2. E.)
The MONSTER enters, L., exultingly bearing EMMELINE
and her CHILD, crosses and exit, R. -- FRANKENSTEIN follows him
with a staggering step, almost overcome with fatigue and
terror.
Strut. (coming from his concealment)
What ho, sir master! Mr. Frankenstein! 'Tis Strutt, your faithful
servant! He hears me not, but madly still pursues the fiend he
cannot hope to master.
Liset.
And will you, too, Strutt, be mad enough to follow him?
Strut.
Why, not singly, because I think it would be to little purpose;
but I'll tell you what I'll do: I'll first bestow you in a place
of safety, and then I'll summon together a few stout-hearted
fellows, and we'll see if we {22} can't settle his monstership;
for sooner than he should harm that poor woman and her infant,
zounds, he shall kill and eat me, but I'll endeaveur to give him
a bellyfull.
(Exeunt, L.
Act
Scene
