_N._ I’ll be well satisfied. I’ll be revenged. To shut me half an hour in a dark cupboard, With all the flock and flue, ’mong cast-off clothes, Old boots and shoes: call me an ass, a goose, And mock my muse ... a fellow ... a common fellow. A man that is the servant of the servant Of the adoptive sister of my Laura! He shall be swinged. Sir Gregory will right me: Sir Gregory will avenge me. Had heaven but given me His inches, why, I’d do it myself. I’d flog him, 2660 Till he cried mercy, mercy! mercy, St. Nicholas, Mercy, I pray! No, no: no mercy, sir. Down on thy knees! No mercy, sir, from me. No mercy. (_beating a chair._) _Enter Sir Gregory._ _GREGORY._ St. Nicholas, where’s the Countess? _N._ (_shouting_). She says that she will see you in half an hour. _G._ In half an hour!—Nay, I must see her at once. You have been betrayed. _N._ I have. I have been betrayed. But you shall see me avenged. _G._ And I must see her at once. (_going in._) _N._ (_withstanding him_). She bade me say She could not see you. _G._ Do not stay me, man; 2670 Your happiness is at stake. _N._ Nay, she forbade it. She said in half an hour. _G._ (_half-aside_). Why does he stay me? In half an hour he says. What can I do? By that time he’ll be off. (_Aloud._) St. Nicholas! His coach is at the door: in half an hour ’Twill be too late: he will have got away. Go to the stables, mount yourself at once With three or four of the grooms, and ride together To the further gate of the park. There wait for Frederick’s carriage: Stop it. If she is within, I give you warrant 2680 To bring them back: if she be not within, Follow. She awaits him somewhere on the road. Wherever it be, take them, and bring them back: You have a father’s warrant. _N._ Who is it you speak of, sir? _G._ Heigh! _N._ Whose carriage shall I stop? _G._ Why, Frederick’s. _N._ And who’s the lady? _G._ Who is the lady, ask you? Why Laura, my daughter. 2690 _N._ Laura with Frederick! _G._ I went to her room: she’s flown, and with a maid. She hath packed up clothes and gone. I am right, I am sure. _N._ And shall I stop them? _G._ Lose no more time. Begone! Do as I bid. _N._ There’s some mistake; Laura with Frederick! Why, we were to be married! _G._ Fly! fly! St. Nicholas, else ’twill be too late. [_Exit N._