_Pon._ Then, sir, the whole truth shall out, they _are_ married, sir, and they are _not_ married, sir.
_Pon._ Yes, sir, they are married, but the priest was ordained by my master, and the license was of his own granting, and so they are not married, and now the enigma's explained.
_Charles._ Your master then is a villain!
_Pon._ I don't know, sir, that puzzles me: but he's such an honest follow I can hardly think him a rogue--though I fancy, sir, between ourselves, he's like the rest of the world, half and half, or like punch, sir, a mixture of opposites.
_Charles._ So! villany has been thriving in my absence. If you feel the attachment you profess why did you not confide this to me before?
_Pon._ Sir, truth to speak, I did not tell you, because, knowing the natural gentleness of your disposition, which I have so often admired, I was alarmed, lest the sudden shock should cause one of those irascible fits, which I have so often witnessed, and produce some of those shakes and buffets, which to my unspeakable astonishment, I have so often experienced.
_Charles._ And which, I can tell you, you have now so narrowly escaped.
_Pon._ True sir, I have escaped as narrowly as a felon who gets his reprieve five minutes _after_ execution.
_Charles._ Something must be done. I am involved in a quarrel with Helen too! curse on my irritable temper.
_Pon._ So I say, sir--try and mend it; pray do.
_Charles._ I am resolved to have another interview with her;--to throw myself at her feet, and sue for pardon! Though fate should oppose our union, I may still preserve her from the arms of a villain, who is capable of deceiving the innocent he could not seduce: and of planting a dagger in the female heart, where nature has bestowed her softest attributes, and has only left it _weak_, that man might cherish, shelter, and protect it. [_Exit._
_Pon._ So! now I'm a rogue both ways--If I escape punishment one way, I shall certainly meet it the other. But if my good luck saves me both ways I shall never more credit a fortune-teller: for one once predicted, that I was born to be hanged. [_Exit._
_Sir R._ You have betrayed me then!--Did not I caution you to keep secret from my nephew this accursed loss.
_O'Ded._ And so you did sure enough, but somehow it slipt out before I said a word about it; but I told him it was a secret, and I dare say he wont mention it.