ve imagined that Miss Etheridge would have indulged in?

_Agnes._ You must be aware, Captain Mertoun, that I could not receive
you as Agnes Etheridge until those doubts upon my parentage were
removed. It would not have been honest.

_Capt. Mer._ And was this the only cause for your change of behaviour
towards me, Agnes?

_Agnes._ Why--yes,--I believe so.

_Capt. Mer._ Now, then, let me declare that, whether you prove to be
Agnes Etheridge, or Agnes Bargrove, those sentiments which I have felt
towards you, and which have not hitherto been revealed excepting to your
brother, must ever remain the same. For your own sake, and for the sake
of Sir Gilbert and Lady Etheridge, who would deeply regret the loss of
such a daughter, I trust that the report is without foundation. For my
own part, I rather rejoice at this opportunity of proving the sincerity
of my attachment. Let me but find favour in the sight of Agnes, and the
surname will be immaterial.

_Agnes._ Immaterial, Captain Mertoun!

_Capt. Mer._ Yes, quite so; for I shall persuade you to change it as
soon as possible, for my own. (_Kneels._) Tell me, dearest Agnes----

_Agnes._ Tell you what?

_Capt. Mer._ Something that will make me happy.

_Agnes._ (_smiling_). Shall I tell you what the gipsy woman said when
she told me my fortune?

_Capt. Mer._ Nay, do not trifle with me.

_Agnes._ (_archly_). I asked whether I should marry the person that I
loved.

_Capt. Mer._ A very natural question.

_Agnes._ She replied, "Yes, if he is more generous than the generality
of his sex." (_Gives her hand._) Captain Mertoun, you have proved
yourself so to be, and, since you offer to take Agnes, truly speaking,
for "better or for worse," I will not keep you in suspense by disguising
my real sentiments.

_Capt. Mer._ Dearest Agnes, you have indeed made me happy. (_Embraces
her._) I accompanied your brother, with the sole view of pleading my own
cause. Imagine then my misery at your cruel reception.

_Agnes._ That you may not think me interested by my accepting your
generous offer during this state of uncertainty, I will own how often I
have thought of you, and how eagerly I looked for your arrival. Let us
go now, Mertoun, and see whether Lady Etheridge is recovered.

[_Exeunt arm in arm._

_Scene V._

_The wood. Enter Nelly._

_Nelly._ I have tried in vain to dissuade them to abandon their
projects. They are preparing their instruments and their weapons. The