POS. (_grasping RATCLIFFE'S hand and assuming a desperate tone and manner_) The dreadful truth must be spoken! I'm a rascal--I love another--the interesting widow of a large straw bonnet maker. When I say large, I don't allude to the bonnet maker, but the business--and shall I basely forsake the confiding woman who has placed all her straw bonnets--I mean all her happiness in my hands?--No! though my cousin _will_ soon have her £15,000 again. RAT. That's very doubtful. POS. No such thing. I'm certain of it, and so are you; still, never, never shall it be said of Postlethwaite, that he was actuated by the love of filthy lucre--so you'll wish her good bye for me, won't you? RAT. Stay. Suppose you write a few lines to her, stating your reasons for renouncing her hand, and I'll deliver the letter to her. POS. I'll do it at once, (_aside_) and considering that there's very little chance of Cousin Somerton's seeing a shilling of her money again, and a very considerable chance of my getting into trouble; the sooner I make my way back to Arabella Row, Pimlico, the better. (_goes into room, R. 2 E._) RAT. (_anxiously_) _Will_ he write to her? will he, indeed, renounce her hand? _Enter MRS. SOMERTON, L._ MRS. S. (_aside_) Still here, 'tis well; and now, Captain Ratcliffe, it is my turn to frighten you. RAT. (_resuming his official manner_) Well, madam, have you found this important paper? MRS. S. Yes, sir, but conceive my annoyance, when instead of a receipt, as I anticipated, I found the paper consisted of a few wretched insipid verses; intended to be very complimentary, no doubt, but commonplace in the extreme. RAT. (_aside_) This is pleasant. I thought they were remarkably pretty verses. (_aloud_) Might I be favoured with a perusal of them? MRS. S. Unfortunately, a near neighbour of mine, a _magistrate_ happened to look in, and thinking it would forward the ends of justice, I placed the paper in his hands. RAT. A magistrate? MRS. S. Yes, who on looking at it, suddenly exclaimed, "I cannot be mistaken--no, I'll swear to the handwriting." RAT. Indeed! (_aside_) The devil! (_aloud_) and his name is---- MRS. S. Boldwig. RAT. Boldwig! (_aside_) My old colonel, damn it, I've written a hundred letters to him. MRS. S. The colonel fancies the robber may be still concealed on the premises. RAT. (_forcing a laugh_) Ha, ha! Still on the premises, a very likely matter. MRS. S. Why not? So bold and impudent a villain, as you very properly designate him. How fortunate it was that I remembered the existence of that "important paper." RAT. Yes, it was a very brilliant idea of yours, indeed. MRS. S. And how still more fortunate that Colonel Boldwig at once recognised the handwriting, for of course it will infallibly lead to the capture of the unconscionable scoundrel, as you very properly called him. RAT. (_rather nettled_) You seem remarkably anxious to punish this unhappy misguided being, ma'am.