at cuts him. At such a time as that, the way to help was to
stand to your belief. You should have nailed my colours to the mast, not
spoke of striking them. If I were to be hanged to-morrow, and your love
there, and a free pardon and a dukedom on the other side--which would I
choose?

ARETHUSA. Kit, you must judge me fairly. It was not my life that was at
stake, it was yours. Had it been mine--mine, Kit--what had you done,
then?

KIT. I am a downright fool; I saw it inside out. Why, give you up, by
George!

ARETHUSA. Ah, you see! Now you understand. It was all pure love. When he
said that word--O! death and that disgrace!... But I know my father. He
fears nothing so much as the goodness of his heart; and yet it conquers.
He would pray, he said; and to-night, and by the kindness of his voice,
I knew he was convinced already. All that is wanted is that you should
forgive me.

KIT. Arethusa, if you looked at me like that I'd forgive you piracy on
the high seas. I was only sulky; I was boxed up there in the black dark,
and couldn't see my hand. It made me pity that blind man, by George.

ARETHUSA. O, that blind man! The fiend! He came back, Kit: did you hear
him? he thought we had killed you--you!

KIT. Well, well, it serves me right for keeping company with such a
swab.

ARETHUSA. One thing puzzles me: how did you get in? I saw my father lock
the door.

KIT. Ah, how? That's just it. I was a sheet in the wind, you see. How
did we? He did it somehow.... By George, he had a key! He can get in
again.

ARETHUSA. Again? that man!

KIT. Ay can he! Again! When he likes!

ARETHUSA. Kit, I am afraid. O Kit, he will kill my father.

KIT. Afraid. I'm glad of that. Now, you'll see I'm worth my salt at
something. Ten to one he's back to Mrs. Drake's. I'll after, and lay him
aboard.

ARETHUSA. O Kit, he is too strong for you.

KIT. Arethusa, that's below the belt! Never you fear; I'll give a good
account of him.

ARETHUSA (_taking cutlass from wall_). You'll be none the worse for
this, dear.

KIT. That's so (_making cuts_). All the same, I'm half ashamed to draw
on a blind man; it's too much odds. (_He leans suddenly against the
table._) Ah!

ARETHUSA. Kit! are you ill?

KIT. My head's like a humming top; it serves me right for drinking.

ARETHUSA. Oh, and the blind man! (_She runs, L., to the corner cupboard,
brings a bottle and glass, and fills and offers glass._) Here, lad,
drink that.

KIT. To you! That'