_O’Fi._ (_brandishing a big stick_). Gineral, do not blight this young lady’s harrut. Give her your sacred promise, or by the blood of the O’Fipps (_sees that TOM has taken up a chair and looks threatening_), my son-in-law elect shall teach you your forgotten duty! (_Hands stick to WHIPPLE, and retires._) _Whi._ (_brandishing stick_). Yes, sir. Promise at once, or nothing shall prevent me from urging this young lady’s natural protector to inflict on you the condign punishment you so richly deserve. (_Hands the stick to MR. EFFINGHAM, and retires._) _Mr. Eff._ (_brandishing stick_). You speak nobly, sir. I am an old, old man, but I am yet hale and tough as hickory. I have a brave and stalwart son, and it is to his hand I confide the task of avenging the insult offered to his outraged family! (_Hands the stick to BULSTRODE._) _Bul._ (_gloomily_). What prevents me from flying at his throat? What prevents me from whipping him as I would whip a cur? Tell me, somebody, what is it holds me back? _Car._ _I_ will tell you--it is mercy. _Bul._ It is! (_Throwing away stick._) I give you your life! _Mrs. Eff._ My lion-hearted boy! _Tom._ Do you know that you are labouring under some surprising and unaccountable delusion? _Mrs. Eff._ Delusion, sir! _Bul._ Delusion! Ha! ha! _Car._ (_kneeling_). No, Arthur, no--this is no delusion, for see, I have your letters. (_Feeling for them._) No, they are with my solicitor. _Bul._ They are. I am his clerk, and at my broken-hearted sister’s suit, cold calculating man of war, I serve you with this writ! [_BULSTRODE presents writ, which CAROLINE, kneeling at TOM’S feet, reaches and hands to him, kissing his hand as she places the writ in it._ _Tom_ (_looking at writ_). Breach of promise! (_Wildly._) Don’t bring any actions, don’t resort to any violent measures. You say I’m engaged to you. I dare say I am. If you said I was engaged to your mother I’d dare say it too. I’ve no idea who I am, or what I am, or where I am, or what I am saying or doing, but you are very pretty, and you seem fond of me. I’ve no objection. I think I should rather like it: at least--_I’ll try_! _Car._ (_flinging herself into his arms_). My poet-soldier, and my minstrel boy! [_MR. EFFINGHAM, BULSTRODE, and MRS. EFFINGHAM group themselves about CAROLINE and TOM._ ACT III. SCENE.--_A drawing-room, shabbily furnished, in MR. EFFINGHAM’S house. COBB is discovered smoking a pipe on balcony with CAROLINE. The EFFINGHAM family is discovered grouped:--MRS. EFFINGHAM seated; old EFFINGHAM leaning on her chair, with his arm round her neck, and BULSTRODE standing moodily behind. As curtain rises CAROLINE enters from balcony, and throws herself at her mother’s feet._ _Mrs. Eff._ Where is your poet-lover, Caroline? _Car._ I left him basking on the balcony, in deep communion with his inner self.