Mrs. Sul. Yes, yes, since I have ’scaped your hands, I can face anything.

Arch. Come hither, brother Scrub! don’t you know me?

Scrub. Eh, my dear brother, let me kiss thee.

[Kisses Archer.

Arch. This way—here—

[Archer and Scrub hide behind the bed.

Enter Gibbet, with a dark lantern in one hand, and a pistol in the other.

Gib. Ay, ay, this is the chamber, and the lady alone.

Mrs. Sul. Who are you, sir? what would you have? d’ye come to rob me?

Gib. Rob you! alack a day, madam, I’m only a younger brother, madam; and so, madam, if you make a noise, I’ll shoot you through the head; but don’t be afraid, madam.—[Laying his lantern and pistol upon the table.] These rings, madam; don’t be concerned, madam, I have a profound respect for you, madam; your keys, madam; don’t be frighted, madam, I’m the most of a gentleman.—[Searching her pockets.] This necklace, madam; I never was rude to any lady;—I have a veneration—for this necklace—

[Here Archer having come round, and seized the pistol, takes Gibbert by the collar, trips up his heels, and claps the pistol to his breast.

Arch. Hold, profane villain, and take the reward of thy sacrilege!

Gib. Oh! pray, sir, don’t kill me; I an’t prepared.

Arch. How many is there of ’em, Scrub?

Scrub. Five-and-forty, sir.

Arch. Then I must kill the villain, to have him out of the way.

Gib. Hold, hold, sir, we are but three, upon my honour.

Arch. Scrub, will you undertake to secure him?

Scrub. Not I, sir; kill him, kill him!

Arch. Run to Gipsy’s chamber, there you’ll find the doctor; bring him hither presently.—[Exit Scrub, running.] Come, rogue, if you have a short prayer, say it.

Gib. Sir, I have no prayer at all; the government has provided a chaplain to say prayers for us on these occasions.

Mrs. Sul. Pray, sir, don’t kill him: you fright me as much as him.

Arch. The dog shall die, madam, for being the occasion of my disappointment.—Sirrah, this moment is your last.

Gib. Sir, I’ll give you two hundred pounds to spare my life.

Arch. Have you no more, rascal?