Flint. Mark me, our lieutenant is in love with the old rogue’s daughter: help us to break his worship’s bones, and carry off the girl, and you are a made man.

O’Con. I’ll see you hanged first, you pack of skurry villains!

[Throws away the purse.

Flint. What, sirrah, do you mutiny? Lay hold of him.

O’Con. Nay, then, I’ll try your armour for you.

[Beats them.

All. Oh! oh!—quarter! quarter!

[Exeunt Corporal Flint and Soldiers.

Just. [Coming forward.] Trim them, trounce them, break their bones, honest Humphrey—What a spirit he has!

Rosy. Aquafortis.

O’Con. Betray your master!

Rosy. What a miracle of fidelity!

Just. Ay, and it shall not go unrewarded—I’ll give him sixpence on the spot. Here, honest Humphrey, there’s for yourself: as for this bribe, [takes up the purse,] such trash is best in the hands of justice. Now, then, doctor, I think I may trust him to guard the women: while he is with them I may go out with safety.

Rosy. Doubtless you may—I’ll answer for the lieutenant’s behaviour whilst honest Humphrey is with your daughter.

Just. Ay, ay, she shall go nowhere without him. Come along, honest Humphrey. How rare it is to meet with such a servant!

[Exeunt.

Scene II.—A Garden.

Lauretta discovered. Enter Justice Credulous and Lieutenant O’Connor.

Just. Why, you little truant, how durst you wander so far from the house without my leave? Do you want to invite that scoundrel lieutenant to scale the walls and carry you off.

Lau. Lud, papa, you are so apprehensive for nothing.

Just. Why, hussy——

Lau. Well, then, I can’t bear to be shut up all day so like a nun. I am sure it is enough to make one wish to be run away with—and I wish I was run away with—I do—and I wish the lieutenant knew it.

Just. You do, do you, hussy? Well, I think I’ll take pretty good care of you. Here, Humphrey, I leave this lady in your care. Now you may walk about the garden, Miss Pert; but Humphrey shall go with you wherever you go. So mind, honest Humphrey, I am obliged to go abroad for a little while; let no one but yourself come near her; don’t be shame-faced, you booby, but keep close to her. And now, miss, let your lieutenant or any of his crew come near you if they can.


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