The Octoroon

Zoe. I am free! I had but one Master on earth, and he has given me my freedom!

Dora. Alas! but the deed that freed you was not lawful.

Zoe. Not lawful – no – but I am going to where there is no law – where there is only justice.

George. Zoe, you are suffering – your lips are white – your cheeks are flushed.

Zoe. I must be going – it is late. Farewell, Dora. [Retires.]

Pete. [Outside, R.] Whar's Missus – whar's Mas'r George?

George. They come.

Enter Scudder

Scud. Stand around and let me pass – room thar! I feel so big with joy, creation ain't wide enough to hold me. Mrs. Peyton, George Peyton, Terrebonne is yours. It was that rascal M'Closky – but he got rats, I avow – he killed the boy, Paul, to rob this letter from the mail-bags – the letter from Liverpool you know – he sot fire to the shed – that was how the steamboat got burned up.

Mrs. P. What d'ye mean?

Scud. Read – read that. [Gives letter.]

George. Explain yourself.

Enter Sunnyside

Sunny. Is it true?

Scud. Every word of it, Squire. Here, you tell it, since you know it. If I was to try, I'd bust.

Mrs. P. Read, George. Terrebonne is yours.

Enter Pete, Dido, Solon, Minnie, and Grace

Pete. Whar is she – whar is Miss Zoe?

Scud. What's the matter?

Pete. Don't ax me. Whar's de gal? I say.

Scud. Here she is – Zoe! – water – she faints.

Pete. No – no. 'Tain't no faint – she's a dying, sa; she got pison from old Dido here, this mornin'.

George. Zoe.

Scud. Zoe! is this true? – no, it ain't – darn it, say it ain't. Look here, you're free, you know nary a master to hurt you now: you will stop here as long as you're a mind to, only don't look so.

Dora. Her eyes have changed color.

Pete. Dat's what her soul's gwine to do. It's going up dar, whar dere's no line atween folks.

George. She revives.

Zoe. [On sofa, C.] George – where – where —

George. O, Zoe! what have you done?

Zoe. Last night I overheard you weeping in your room, and you said, "I'd rather see her dead than so!"

George. Have I prompted you to this?

Zoe. No; but I loved you so, I could not bear my fate; and then I stood your heart and hers. When I am dead she will not be jealous of your love for me, no laws will stand between us. Lift me; so – [George raises her head] – let me look at you, that your face may be the last I see of this world. O! George, you may without a blush confess your love for the Octoroon! [Dies. —George lowers her head gently. – Kneels. – Others form picture.]

Darken front of house and stage[Light fires. – Draw flats and discover Paul's grave. —M'Closky dead on top of it. —Wahnotee standing triumphantly over him.]SLOW CURTAIN