--
Who could give me good advice when he discovered I was
erring
(Which is just the very favour which on you I am
conferring),
My story would have made a rather interesting idyll,
And I might have lived and died a very decent indiwiddle.
This particularly rapid, unintelligible patter
Isn't generally heard, and if it is it doesn't matter!

ROB. If it is it doesn't matter--

MAR. If it is it doesn't matter--

ALL. If it is it doesn't matter, matter, matter, matter,
matter!

(Exeunt Despard and Margaret.)

(Enter Adam.)

ADAM (guiltily). Master--the deed is done!
ROB. What deed?
ADAM. She is here--alone, unprotected--
ROB. Who?
ADAM. The maiden. I've carried her off--I had a hard task,
for she fought like a tiger-cat!
ROB. Great heaven, I had forgotten her! I had hoped to
have died unspotted by crime, but I am foiled again--and by a
tiger-cat! Produce her--and leave us!

(Adam introduces Dame Hannah, very much excited, and exits.)

ROB. Dame Hannah! This is--this is not what I expected.
HAN. Well, sir, and what would you with me? Oh, you have
begun bravely--bravely indeed! Unappalled by the calm dignity of
blameless womanhood, your minion has torn me from my spotless
home, and dragged me, blindfold and shrieking, through hedges,
over stiles, and across a very difficult country, and left me,
helpless and trembling, at your mercy! Yet not helpless, coward
sir, for approach one step--nay, but the twentieth part of one
poor inch--and this poniard (produces a very small dagger) shall
teach ye what it is to lay unholy hands on old Stephen Trusty's
daughter!
ROB. Madam, I am extremely sorry for this. It is not at
all what I intended--anything more correct--more deeply
respectful than my intentions towards you, it would be impossible
for any one--however particular--to desire.
HAN. Bah, I am not to be tricked by smooth words,
hypocrite! But be warned in time, for there are, without, a
hundred gallant hearts whose trusty blades would hack him limb
from limb who dared to lay unholy hands on old Stephen Trusty's
daughter!
ROB. And this is what it is to embark upon a career of
unlicensed pleasure!

(