An Ignorant Thief

I Am Found, I Am Lost

The next morning I rose with purpose. I got dressed in one of my finest gowns and almost flew down the stairs. Tzi caught me as I waltzed through the kitchen. "Sadie, what is the matter with you?"

I looked at her puzzled. "Nothing. Why would there be anything wrong?" She shook her head and let me go. I picked up my shawl and waltzed my way out of the door to the play house. Playing that day was, in fact a Shakespeare, but not a tragedy. It was a comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. I bought a mezzanine ticket and settled in the front row. It quickly started, and the actors had the audience roaring with laughter. The play ended and I stood up, but I did not leave. Instead, I found my way once again to the abandoned box. I stood looking at the quickly emptying seats. I heard the curtain open behind me and turned around. At first I was startled. The person was not Isaac, as I had expected. But then he smiled and removed his mustache and hair, revealing the person I knew. I clapped. "Well, Don Jon, that would explain why I couldn't find you on stage. I thought you said you didn't get main roles."

Isaac winced just a bit. "I may have told a small fib."

I laughed. "Oh well. Good job, by the way. You were very fun to hate."

"Thanks."

"Isaac?"

"Yes."

"Would you like to come for supper?"

He turned to me. He smiled. "Why not?"

We left, he escorting me to my own house. It was barely past tea time, and I wasn't sure how my parents would react to that, as well as to me missing two meals that morning. I knocked on the door and Tzi opened it. Her normally smiling face grew until it was almost cracking from smiling so large. She opened it wider and we entered. I started to show Isaac to the Parlor, but Tzi caught my shoulder. She whispered into my ear. "Figaro, Figaro, Figaro." I giggled and elbowed her, freeing myself.

We sat down in the parlor and had just started a conversation when my mother and father entered. Isaac and I stood. "Hello, Mr. Humphrey, Mrs. Humphrey." He took off his hat and bowed slightly.

My father responded civilly enough. My mother was a bit warmer. "Good day, Mr..."

"Manning, Madam. Isaac Manning." He took her hand, removing his hat.

"Ah, very nice. We will be seeing you at supper then?"

"Yes, if that is alright with you, Miss Sadie has invited me."

My parents nodded and left.

"Well, that went well." Isaac said cheerfully.

I sat in a chair and sighed. "No, it didn't. They don't like you. I've lived with them for twenty two years. I can tell."

His face fell slightly. I held up a hand. "Wait just a moment." I counted down on my fingers from five. When they reached zero, Tzi stuck her head in the door. "Miss, your parents want to see you shortly in the study." She glanced at Isaac. "Sorry, sir, but they want her alone."

I gave him a meaningful look. "Said so. I'll be back in a minute."

Tzi walked me to the study. "Sooo... What's his name?"

I sighed. "Isaac. And Tzi, he may be my Figaro, but I doubt he loves me like Almaviva loves Rosine. Besides, mother and father are opposed."

She shook her head. "You don't know that. And he seemed plenty gentlemanly. Why would they have reason to say no?"

"He is anything but rich. He's an actor and you know they don't make-"

She cut me off. "Ooh, an actor. That's so romantic! I've found my happy ending. Now I want you to find yours. Or forever live a spinster."

We were still laughing when I entered the study. The look on my parent's faces stopped it abruptly. "No, Sadie. You can't just bring in any person you want off the streets."

My brow creased in anger. "He's not off the streets. I met him at the play house. He has a job there."

This didn't help much at all. My mother spoke up. "So he's an actor. That is quite... interesting. Had you even spoken to him before today?"

I hesitated slightly. "Yes, actually. But that is beside the point. You married father after knowing him for a week!"

My father stuck his finger in the air. "That was arranged, young lady. If you keep up this attitude, you won't like the outcome."

"But father, you are being unreasonable. You just don't like him because he doesn't have enough money for your tastes."

This was apparently the last straw for my father. "That is it! For this meal, and this meal alone, we will be civil, and then you are to never see him again!"

"But-" I was cut off by my mother.

"Furthermore, to keep you in line, you will be locked in your chambers, and we will pick the man you are to marry. And we will make sure it is someone who will keep you in line."

I opened the door behind me and ran out, slamming it as I went. Tears were almost running down my face. I leaned against the wall and composed myself. I walked back to the parlor and opened the door, only to find it empty. There was a note on the side table. It read as follows:

Dear Miss. Sadie,

Due to the conversation you had with your parents, which I could hear quite clearly, I thought it best I leave as soon as possible. I am sorry, and I will miss you, but it is probably for the best. If I stayed, we would both be miserable and I would be getting you in further trouble. I am unable to do that to a lady such as yourself. Perhaps your new husband will be kinder than you expect. And they surely can't keep you locked up for long, can they? Best of luck.

                             To my Rosine,

                                                  Isaac

**