ROB. My eyes are fully open to my awful situation— I shall go at once to Roderic and make him an oration. I shall tell him I've recovered my forgotten moral senses, And I don't care twopence-halfpenny for any consequences. Now I do not want to perish by the sword or by the dagger, But a martyr may indulge a little pardonable swagger, And a word or two of compliment my vanity would flatter, But I've got to die tomorrow, so it really doesn't matter! DES. So it really doesn't matter— MAR. So it really doesn't matter— ALL. So it really doesn't matter, matter, matter, matter, matter! MAR. If were not a little mad and generally silly I should give you my advice upon the subject, willy-nilly; I should show you in a moment how to grapple with the question, And you'd really be astonished at the force of my suggestion. On the subject I shall write you a most valuable letter, Full of excellent suggestions when I feel a little better, But at present I'm afraid I am as mad as any hatter, So I'll keep 'em to myself, for my opinion doesn't matter! DES. Her opinion doesn't matter— ROB. Her opinion doesn't matter— ALL. Her opinion doesn't matter, matter, matter, matter, matter! DES. If I had been so lucky as to have a steady brother Who could talk to me as we are talking now to one another— Who could give me good advice when he discovered I was erring (Which is just the very favour which on you I am conferring), My story would have made a rather interesting idyll, And I might have lived and died a very decent indiwiddle. This particularly rapid, unintelligible patter Isn't generally heard, and if it is it doesn't matter! ROB. If it is it doesn't matter— MAR. If it is it doesn't matter— ALL. If it is it doesn't matter, matter, matter, matter, matter! (Exeunt Despard and Margaret.) (Enter Adam.) ADAM (guiltily). Master—the deed is done! ROB. What deed? ADAM. She is here—alone, unprotected— ROB. Who? ADAM. The maiden. I've carried her off—I had a hard task, for she fought like a tiger-cat! ROB. Great heaven, I had forgotten her! I had hoped to have died unspotted by crime, but I am foiled again—and by a tiger-cat! Produce her—and leave us! (Adam introduces Dame Hannah, very much excited, and exits.)