MISS FLYN
I must be ingenuous.  You must know, then, that I was just giving Betty a
hint—­as you came in.

PENDULOUS
A hint!

MISS FLYN
Yes, of our unfortunate embarrassment.

PENDULOUS
My letter!

MISS FLYN
I thought it as well that she should know it at first.

PENDULOUS ’Tis mighty well, madam.  ’Tis as it should be.  I was ordained to be a wretched laughing-stock to all the world; and it is fit that our drabs and our servant wenches should have their share of the amusement.

BETTY
Marry come up!  Drabs and servant wenches! and this from a person in his
circumstances!

(Betty flings herself out of the room, muttering.)

MISS FLYN I understand not this language.  I was prepared to give my Pendulous a tender meeting.  To assure him, that however, in the eyes of the superficial and the censorious, he may have incurred a partial degradation, in the esteem of one, at least, he stood as high as ever.  That it was not in the power of a ridiculous accident, involving no guilt, no shadow of imputation, to separate two hearts, cemented by holiest vows, as ours have been.  This untimely repulse to my affections may awaken scruples in me, which hitherto, in tenderness to you, I have suppressed.

PENDULOUS
I very well understand what you call tenderness, madam; but in some
situations, pity—­pity—­is the greatest insult.

MISS FLYN
I can endure no longer.  When you are in a calmer mood, you will be sorry
that you have wrung my heart so. [Exit.]

PENDULOUS
Maria!  She is gone—­in tears.  Yet it seems she has had her scruples.  She
said she had tried to smother them.  Mermaid Betty intimated as much.

Re-enter Betty.

BETTY
Never mind Retty, sir; depend upon it she will never ’peach.

PENDULOUS
’Peach!

BETTY Lord, sir, these scruples will blow over.  Go to her again, when she is in a better humour.  You know we must stand off a little at first, to save appearances.

PENDULOUS
Appearances! we!

BETTY
It will be decent to let some time elapse.

PENDULOUS
Time elapse!

        Lost, wretched Pendulous! to scorn betrayed,
        The scoff alike of mistress and of maid! 
        What now remains for thee, forsaken man,
        But to complete thy fate’s abortive plan,
        And finish what the feeble law began?

[Exeunt.]

Re-enter Miss Flyn, with Marian.

MISS FLYN
Now both our lovers are gone, I hope my friend will have less reserve. 
You must consider this apartment as yours while you stay here.  ’Tis
larger and more commodious than your own.

MARIAN You are kind, Maria.  My sad story I have troubled you with.  I have some jewels here, which I unintentionally brought away.  I have only to beg, that you will take the trouble to restore them to my father; and, without disclosing my present situation, to tell him, that my next step—­with or without the concurrence of Mr. Davenport—­shall be to throw myself at his feet, and beg to be forgiven.  I dare not see him till you have explored the way for me.  I am convinced I was tricked into this elopement.