RAT. Come, I've got you safe under lock and key, my worthy friend, whoever you are, and now not another moment must be lost. (_advances towards the writing desk quickly, L. table_) MRS. S. (_without_) Don't be alarmed, David, I forgot to say I had taken the latch key with me. RAT. Mrs. Somerton's voice, and no means of escape! Then impudence befriend me! (_hurries into room, R._) _Enter MRS. SOMERTON and PEGGY at door, L. U. E._ PEGGY. (_who carries a small lantern in her hand, which she places on table_) Dear, dear, how my poor old bones do ache. MRS. S. (_throws off her cloak and hood, and appears in a handsome ball costume_) Now go to bed at once, my good Peggy, I don't require you any more. PEGGY. Yes you do, so sit down there--(_making MRS. SOMERTON sit down on a chair_)--and now, while I'm taking all these gimcracks and finery out of your hair, you shall tell me all about the grand doings at the ball. I warrant me, what the colonel's footmen said of you was quite true. MRS. S. And pray what did the colonel's footmen say? PEGGY. They said---- Drat the pin! They said you were the most beautiful lady in the room--that you had handsomer partners than any lady in the room. MRS. S. Yes--to do them, justice, they fairly danced me off my feet, and yet I am neither grown better tempered, nor better looking, than I was three months ago, when at a previous party not one of them condescended to select me for a partner; but then, on the other hand, I am fifteen thousand pounds richer. PEGGY. (_suddenly, and giving MRS. SOMERTON'S hair another jerk_) That's it! Ah, ma'am, these lords of the creation, as they call themselves, are but a poor mean selfish set after all. MRS. S. Selfish! No, not all--(_sighing_)--there is one at least. PEGGY. No! Is there?--he must be quite a curiosity! Oh, ma'am, who is he? MRS. S. It's a long story, Peggy, and it's getting late. PEGGY. It's never too late to hear good news. MRS. S. Then listen, Peggy. You remember that about ten months ago I was earnestly advised by my physicians to pay a short visit to the continent. PEGGY. Yes; and I remember too that you came home quite an altered woman--_I_ never saw hair dressed in such an extraordinary style--never! MRS. S. Don't interrupt me. I had been in Paris about three weeks, when one evening on my return from the opera, I found a note on my dressing table, containing these words--"I have seen you, and to see you is to love you. I am young, tolerably handsome, and sufficiently rich, yet as I cannot presume to present myself to you until you permit me to do so, I shall venture to remind you from time to time that I am near you." PEGGY. Well I'm sure, Mr. Impudence; and what was the fellow's name? MRS. S. There was no name, but merely the initials C. R. PEGGY. C. R. Samuel something or other I dare say--but he gave his address?