_Nelly._ Now I think all is safe; but I must quit the gang or my life will be in danger.
Oh, that I could recall the last twenty years! How wicked, how infamous have I become.
[_Covers her face with her hands. Old Bargrove advances and taps her on the shoulder. Nelly starts._
_Old Bar._ You must not expect much. I believe you tell fortunes, my good woman!
_Nelly._ (_curtseying._) Yes, sir, sometimes.
_Old Bar._ Well, you help to eat them afterwards, and the receiver is just as bad as the thief. You must come along with me.
_Old Bar._ Do you see this little bit of paper? But, now I look at you, haven't we met before?
_Old Bar._ Yes--hold your head up a little, either my eyes deceive me, or you--yes, I'll swear to it--you are Nelly Armstrong. Not quite so good-looking as you were when we parted. Now I understand all. Come, take her along to the Hall at once.
_Old Bar._ Not a word. Away with her, slanderous, lying, mischievous----[_Exeunt omnes._
_Enter Sir Gilbert and Captain Etheridge._
_Adm._ I love Lucy as my own daughter, and it often occurred to me how delighted I should be to receive her as such. But your mother's dislike to her is most unaccountable.
_Capt. Eth._ There is the difficulty which I am most anxious to surmount. I am afraid that, without my mother's concurrence, Lucy will never consent to enter into the family. She has pride as well as Lady Etheridge.
_Adm._ Yes, but of a very different quality; a proper pride, Edward; a respect for herself, added to a little feeling, to which she adheres in the decayed state of her family, which once was superior to ours.
_Capt. Eth._ If my mother could but once be induced to suppose that this rumour is correct, we might obtain her unwilling consent.
_Adm._ The report I believe to be wholly without foundation, and so I would, even if it were given against us in a court of justice.
_Capt. Eth._ My opinion coincides with yours. But my happiness is at stake, and I, therefore, shall not pause at a trifling deception, which may be productive of so much good. Will you assist me?
_Adm._ Why, Edward, can't you manage without me?
_Capt. Eth._ Not very well. Let me entreat you. I hear my mother coming.
_Adm._ Well, well--she is always asserting I deceive her when I don't--for once, I'll not be accused without a cause.