BEGGAR Ay; and if truth were known
              I have good business there.

OSWALD I met you at the threshold,
              And he seemed angry.

BEGGAR Angry! well he might;
              And long as I can stir I’ll dog him.—­Yesterday,
              To serve me so, and knowing that he owes
              The best of all he has to me and mine. 
              But ’tis all over now.—­That good old Lady
              Has left a power of riches; and I say it,
              If there’s a lawyer in the land, the knave
              Shall give me half.

OSWALD What’s this?—­I fear, good Woman,
              You have been insolent.

BEGGAR And there’s the Baron,
              I spied him skulking in his peasant’s dress.

OSWALD How say you? in disguise?—­

MARMADUKE But what’s your business
             With Herbert or his Daughter?

BEGGAR Daughter! truly—­
              But how’s the day?—­I fear, my little Boy,
              We’ve overslept ourselves.—­Sirs, have you seen him?
      [Offers to go.]

MARMADUKE I must have more of this;—­you shall not stir
              An inch, till I am answered.  Know you aught
              That doth concern this Herbert?

BEGGAR You are provoked,
              And will misuse me, Sir!

MARMADUKE No trifling, Woman!—­

OSWALD You are as safe as in a sanctuary;
              Speak.

MARMADUKE Speak!

BEGGAR He is a most hard-hearted Man.

MARMADUKE Your life is at my mercy.

BEGGAR Do not harm me,
              And I will tell you all!—­You know not, Sir,
              What strong temptations press upon the Poor.

OSWALD Speak out.

BEGGAR O Sir, I’ve been a wicked Woman.

OSWALD Nay, but speak out!

BEGGAR He flattered me, and said
              What harvest it would bring us both; and so,
              I parted with the Child.

MARMADUKE Parted with whom? [3]

BEGGAR Idonea, as he calls her; but the Girl
              Is mine.

MARMADUKE Yours, Woman! are you Herbert’s wife?

BEGGAR Wife, Sir! his wife—­not I; my husband, Sir,
              Was of Kirkoswald—­many a snowy winter
              We’ve weathered out together.  My poor Gilfred! 
              He has been two years in his grave.