_Helen._ I had better confess it all at once--he has, he has, my dear papa. I do confess it was very, very wrong; but pray now do forgive-- _Sir W._ _I_--forgive him! never; nor his father will never forgive him; sir Rowland writes me here, to take care of you; I have before given him my solemn promise to prevent your meeting, and I am sorry to say, I haven't the least doubt that you know he is here, and will-- _Helen._ I do confess, _he_ is here, papa. _Sir W._ Yes, you'll confess it fast enough, now I've found it out. _Helen._ Indeed I was so afraid you would find it out, that I---- _Sir W._ Find it out! his father writes me word, he has been here in the village these three hours! _Helen._ In the _village_! Oh, what, you heard he was in the _village_! _Sir W._ Yes, and being afraid he should find his way to my house--egad I never was brisker after the fox-hounds than I was after you, in fear of finding you at a fault, you puss. _Helen._ Oh! you were afraid he should come _here_, were you? _Sir W._ Yes; but I'll take care he shan't; however, as my maxim is (now my wife doesn't hear me) to trust your sex no farther than I can possibly help, I shall just put you, my dear child, under lock and key, 'till this young son of the ocean, is bundled off to sea again. _Helen._ What! lock me up! _Sir W._ Damme if I don't. Come, walk into that room, and I'll take the key with me. (_pointing to the room where Charles entered._) _Helen._ Into _that_ room? _Sir W._ Yes. _Helen._ And do you think I shall stay there by myself? _Sir W._ No, no. Here Tiffany! (_enter_ Tiffany) Miss Pert here shall keep you company. I'll have no whisperings through key-holes, nor letters thrust under doors. _Helen._ And you'll really lock me up in that room! _Sir W._ Upon my soul I will. _Helen._ Now, dear papa, be persuaded; take my advice, and don't. _Sir W._ If I _don't_, I wish you may be in Charles Austencourt's arms in three minutes from this present speaking. _Helen._ And if you _do_, take my word for it I might be in his arms if I chose, in less than two minutes from this present warning. _Sir W._ Might you so? Ha, ha! I'll give you leave if you can: for unless you jump into them out of the window, I'll defy the devil and all his imps to bring you together. _Helen._ We shall come together without their assistance, depend on it, papa. _Sir W._ Very well; and now, my dear, walk in. _Helen._ With all my heart; only remember you had better not. (_He puts her in._) _Sir W._ That's a good girl; and you, you baggage, in with you (_to Tiffany, who goes in._) _Sir W._ (_shuts the door and locks it_) "Safe bind, safe find," is one of my lady Worret's favourite proverbs; and that's the only reason why I in general dislike it (_going._) _Enter_ Falkner. _Sir W._ Once more welcome, my dear Falkner. What brings you back so soon? _Falk._ You have a daughter-- _Sir W._ Well, I know I have. _Falk._ And a wife.