Scrub [kneeling]. O pray, sir, spare all I have, and take my life!

Mrs. Sul. [holding Archer’s hand]. What does the fellow mean?

Scrub. O madam, down upon your knees, your marrow-bones!—he’s one of ’em.

Arch. Of whom?

Scrub. One of the rogues—I beg your pardon, one of the honest gentlemen that just now are broke into the house.

Arch. How!

Mrs. Sul. I hope you did not come to rob me?

Arch. Indeed I did, madam, but I would have taken nothing but what you might ha’ spared; but your crying “Thieves” has waked this dreaming fool, and so he takes ’em for granted.

Scrub. Granted! ’tis granted, sir; take all we have.

Mrs. Sul. The fellow looks as if he were broke out of Bedlam.

Scrub. ’Oons, madam, they’re broke into the house with fire and sword! I saw them, heard them; they’ll be here this minute.

Arch. What, thieves!

Scrub. Under favour, sir, I think so.

Mrs. Sul. What shall we do, sir?

Arch. Madam, I wish your ladyship a good night.

Mrs. Sul. Will you leave me?

Arch. Leave you! Lord, madam, did not you command me to be gone just now, upon pain of your immortal hatred?

Mrs. Sul. Nay, but pray, sir—

[Takes hold of him.

Arch. Ha! ha! ha! now comes my turn to be ravished.—You see now, madam, you must use men one way or other; but take this by the way, good madam, that none but a fool will give you the benefit of his courage, unless you’ll take his love along with it.—How are they armed, friend?

Scrub. With sword and pistol, sir.

Arch. Hush!—I see a dark lantern coming through the gallery.—Madam, be assured I will protect you, or lose my life.

Mrs. Sul. Your life! no, sir, they can rob me of nothing that I value half so much; therefore now, sir, let me entreat you to be gone.

Arch. No, madam, I’ll consult my own safety for the sake of yours; I’ll work by stratagem. Have you courage enough to stand the appearance of ’em?