Come, Lady Etheridge, they have mine, and your's must not be
refused.

_Peter._ Sir Gilbert, I am your's (_seeing Nelly_). Oh, you're
here--then all's right, and so I don't care. (_Advancing towards Lady
Etheridge._) Lady Etheridge, my dear mamma, with your permission----

_Lady Eth._ (_hastily joining the hands of Captain Etheridge and Lucy_).
Yes, Lucy, I consent. [_Exit hastily._

_Capt. Eth._ Thank you, Peter, you never did me so good a turn in your
life.

_Peter._ Sir Gilbert, in justice to yourself, read this, and do not
despise the caution, for it is all true. (_Gives the letter._)

_Adm._ How do you know? (_Reads._) "Your house will be robbed this
night--the parties are well armed and resolute. Take immediate
precautions, and despise not this warning from one who has a sincere
regard for you, and for your family."

_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