PUFF. Every word of it—if he shook his head as I taught him. DANGLE. Ah! there certainly is a vast deal to be done on the stage by dumb show and expressions of face; and a judicious author knows how much he may trust to it. SNEER. Oh, here are some of our old acquaintance. _Enter_ SIR CHRISTOPHER HATTON _and_ SIR WALTER RALEIGH. SIR CHRISTOPHER HATTON. My niece and your niece too! By Heaven! there’s witchcraft in’t.—He could not else Have gain’d their hearts.—But see where they approach Some horrid purpose lowering on their brows! SIR WALTER RALEIGH. Let us withdraw and mark them. [_They withdraw_.] SNEER. What is all this? PUFF. Ah! here has been more pruning!—but the fact is, these two young ladies are also in love with Don Whiskerandos.—Now, gentlemen, this scene goes entirely for what we call situation and stage effect, by which the greatest applause may be obtained, without the assistance of language, sentiment, or character: pray mark! _Enter the two_ NIECES. FIRST NIECE. Ellena here! She is his scorn as much as I—that is Some comfort still ! PUFF. O dear, madam, you are not to say that to her face!—Aside, ma’am, aside.—The whole scene is to be aside. _1st Niece_. She is his scorn as much as I—that is Some comfort still. [_Aside_.] SECOND NIECE. I know he prizes not Pollina’s love; But Tilburina lords it o’er his heart. [_Aside_.] FIRST NIECE. But see the proud destroyer of my peace. Revenge is all the good I’ve left. [_Aside_.] SECOND NIECE. He comes, the false disturber of my quiet. Now vengeance do thy worst. [_Aside_.] _Enter_ DON FEROLO WHISKERANDOS. DON FEROLO WHISKERANDOS. O hateful liberty—if thus in vain I seek my Tilburina! BOTH NIECES. And ever shalt! SIR CHRISTOPHER HATTON _and_ SIR WALTER RALEIGH _come forward_. SIR CHRISTOPHER HATTON and SIR WALTER RALEIGH. Hold! we will avenge you. DON FEROLO WHISKERANDOS. Hold _you_—or see your nieces bleed! [_The two_ NIECES _draw their two daggers to strike_ WHISKERANDOS: _the two_ UNCLES _at the instant, with their two swords drawn, catch their two_ NIECES’ _arms, and turn the points of their swords to_ WHISKERANDOS, _who immediately draws two daggers, and holds them to the two_ NIECES’ _bosoms_.] PUFF. There’s situation for you! there’s an heroic group!—You see the ladies can’t stab Whiskerandos—he durst not strike them, for fear of their uncles—the uncles durst not kill him, because of their nieces.—I have them all at a dead lock!—for every one of them is afraid to let go first. SNEER. Why, then they must stand there for ever! PUFF. So they would, if I hadn’t a very fine contrivance for’t.—Now mind—_Enter_ BEEFEATER, _with his halbert_. BEEFEATER. In the queen’s name I charge you all to drop Your swords and daggers! [_They drop their swords and daggers_.] SNEER. That is a contrivance indeed! PUFF. Ay—in the queen’s name. SIR CHRISTOPHER HATTON. Come, niece! SIR WALTER RALEIGH. Come, niece! [_Exeunt with the two_ NIECES.]