MIZ. (_Whispers._) I say, Bolt, how do you like yourself? BOLT. Not at all! Curse me if there isn't another incident. MIZ. A second _me_ will walk in next. MRS. C. How embarrassed they seem--and I see through all: Miss Harriet seems afraid of Mr. Bolt seeing her. How well I understand her feelings. _Enter BRIDGET, L._ BRIDG. Mr. Cotton, ma'am. BOLT, MIZZLE, _and_ CUTAWAY. (_Together._) Who? BRIDG. Mr. Cotton. (_BOLT and CUTAWAY instantly run off through Gothic window, MIZZLE, R. H._) MRS. C. Gentlemen! young lady! what a dispersion! Why, at any rate, Mr. Bolt should vanish-- _Enter COTTON, HARRIET, MISS BROWN, and MRS. STITCHLEY, L. H._ (_Exit BRIDGET, L._) COT. Ah, Mrs. Chargely, how d'ye do?--I have brought some ladies with me. MRS. C. Happy to see any of your friends, Mr. Cotton; but one little thing I must say to you, (_draws him apart_,) don't be too severe with your daughter. COT. No, no, madam; I don't intend it. MRS. C. I have promised to be her friend. COT. Promised, madam; may I ask to whom? MRS. C. To herself, to be sure. COT. What! have you seen her before?--Harriet, my dear! HAR. Yes, papa. MRS. C. This is not your daughter Harriet? COT. Yes, but it is though; don't you see the strong likeness? HAR. Yes, madam; I am Harriet Cotton. MRS. C. I am petrified! thunderstruck! why, another daughter Harriet came here just now, and is here still.--Bridget! _Enter BRIDGET, R. with veil._ BRIDG. Please, ma'am, Miss Harriet has bolted herself in one of the bed-rooms, and wont open the door. Her veil caught against the banister, ma'am; here it is. COT. Some impudent impostor, Mrs. Chargely. MRS. C. And, I'll confess the truth--(_Aside._) How are my benevolent designs frustrated--Mr. Cutaway was with her. COT. Daring scoundrel! HAR. The faithless wretch! brought a sham me.--Oh papa, papa! (_Sobs._) COT. I told you what he would turn out. MISS B. Mrs. Bridget, I think I heard you called.--Allow me to look at the veil; observe, Mrs. Stitchley! MRS. S. I do, my dear! MISS B. The ironmould, and everything! Mrs. Chargely, this veil is mine; there are thieves in the house!--Had the lady a silk cloak? MRS. C. Yes. MRS. S. And a bonnet and feather? MRS. C. Yes. MISS B. It is all discovered!--You know we were wronged, Mr. Cotton? COT. (_Aside._) Yes, and I know I had to pay for it. MISS B. But we will be righted.--Mrs. Chargely, don't let your house be a nest of thieves--send for the officers. MRS. C. I will.--Bridget! Bridget! Lock sham Miss Harriet's door outside--send for the police!--What a horrid unromantic adventure. (_Exit, R. H._) MRS. S. You shall be righted. MISS B. I will, indeed: I'll recover my cloak--the villainy shall be uncloaked. (_Exeunt MISS B. and MRS. S., L. H._) COT. Come along, Harriet; we'll see the end of this. To a nice house I seem to have brought you! A pleasant day, we have had,--a day beautifully spent! (_Exeunt, L. H._) SCENE VII.