Part 43 (1/2)

_Capt. Eth._ A friendly caution, sir. It must be attended to. The favour is intended us by the gang of gipsies in the wood. Perhaps this woman may know something about it.

_Old Bar._ Like enough, for we have an old acquaintance here, who knows every part of the Hall. This is Nelly Armstrong, who nursed Lucy.

_Mrs Bar._ I'll swear to her, and it is she who has been the occasion of all this mischief.

_Enter Agnes and Capt. Mertoun._

_Agnes._ My dear Lucy! I did not know that you were here. (_Turning to Nelly._)

_Nelly._ Yes, Miss Agnes, the gipsy woman that told you your fortune, and, as Mrs Bargrove states, nursed you, Miss Lucy, at her breast. Sir Gilbert, I will save you trouble by confessing, that all I told these young people was from a feeling of revenge towards Lady Etheridge, who spurned me from her door. My long residence in the family enabled me to give a show of truth to what has occasioned so much uneasiness.

_Peter._ What! ar'n't it all true, then?

_Nelly._ Not one word, Mr Peter.

_Old Bar._ Then we must have you to Bridewell.

_Nelly._ I trust, Sir Gilbert, you will be merciful, for I have proved my strong regard to your family.

_Adm._ What, by making us all miserable?

_Nelly._ Sir Gilbert, by that letter in your hand, that I wrote, little expecting that I should ever appear before you.

_Peter._ O, the letter is true, then!

_Adm._ (_holding up his cane_). Silence, sir!

_Old Bar._ (_holding up his stick_). Yes, silence, sir!

_Nelly._ I know, Sir Gilbert, that you have too kind a heart to injure any one; and, if repentance for my folly and wickedness can--if you, Miss Lucy, will plead for me--and my letter, Sir Gilbert, ought to plead for me too--all I beg is, that you will place me in a situation to keep my good resolutions.

_Capt. Eth._ Lucy will plead for her, sir, and so do I, for to her I owe my present happiness.

_Adm._ Well, well, woman, it shall be your own fault if you do wrong again.

_Nelly_ (_curtseying._) Then let me beg pardon of all those to whom I have occasioned uneasiness.

_Adm._ Well, it's all settled now, except the affair of the letter, which we must attend to, Bargrove.

_Capt. Mer._ Not quite all, sir; here are two who wish for your sanction.

_Adm._ Hah! Is it so, Agnes? In this instance I may safely join your hands for your mother, for this morning she expressed a wish that it might be so. At the same time, Mr and Mrs Bargrove, I must request your sanction for the choice that my son has made. He has already secured mine and that of Lady Etheridge.

_Mrs Bar._ (_wiping her eyes._) This is indeed a joyous end to all my vexations.