MRS. HARDCASTLE. As I’m alive, Tony, I see a man coming towards us. Ah! I’m sure on’t. If he perceives us, we are undone. TONY. (Aside.) Father-in-law, by all that’s unlucky, come to take one of his night walks. (To her.) Ah, it’s a highwayman with pistols as long as my arm. A damned ill-looking fellow. MRS. HARDCASTLE. Good Heaven defend us! He approaches. TONY. Do you hide yourself in that thicket, and leave me to manage him. If there be any danger, I’ll cough, and cry hem. When I cough, be sure to keep close. (MRS. HARDCASTLE hides behind a tree in the back scene.) Enter HARDCASTLE. HARDCASTLE. I’m mistaken, or I heard voices of people in want of help. Oh, Tony! is that you? I did not expect you so soon back. Are your mother and her charge in safety? TONY. Very safe, sir, at my aunt Pedigree’s. Hem. MRS. HARDCASTLE. (From behind.) Ah, death! I find there’s danger. HARDCASTLE. Forty miles in three hours; sure that’s too much, my youngster. TONY. Stout horses and willing minds make short journeys, as they say. Hem. MRS. HARDCASTLE. (From behind.) Sure he’ll do the dear boy no harm. HARDCASTLE. But I heard a voice here; I should be glad to know from whence it came. TONY. It was I, sir, talking to myself, sir. I was saying that forty miles in four hours was very good going. Hem. As to be sure it was. Hem. I have got a sort of cold by being out in the air. We’ll go in, if you please. Hem. HARDCASTLE. But if you talked to yourself you did not answer yourself. I’m certain I heard two voices, and am resolved (raising his voice) to find the other out. MRS. HARDCASTLE. (From behind.) Oh! he’s coming to find me out. Oh! TONY. What need you go, sir, if I tell you? Hem. I’ll lay down my life for the truth--hem--I’ll tell you all, sir. [Detaining him.] HARDCASTLE. I tell you I will not be detained. I insist on seeing. It’s in vain to expect I’ll believe you. MRS. HARDCASTLE. (Running forward from behind.) O lud! he’ll murder my poor boy, my darling! Here, good gentleman, whet your rage upon me. Take my money, my life, but spare that young gentleman; spare my child, if you have any mercy. HARDCASTLE. My wife, as I’m a Christian. From whence can she come? or what does she mean? MRS. HARDCASTLE. (Kneeling.) Take compassion on us, good Mr. Highwayman. Take our money, our watches, all we have, but spare our lives. We will never bring you to justice; indeed we won’t, good Mr. Highwayman. HARDCASTLE. I believe the woman’s out of her senses. What, Dorothy, don’t you know ME? MRS. HARDCASTLE. Mr. Hardcastle, as I’m alive! My fears blinded me. But who, my dear, could have expected to meet you here, in this frightful place, so far from home? What has brought you to follow us?