_Sir W._ I'm much obliged to you for the information. You have been a widower some years I believe. _Falk._ What of that? do you envy me? _Sir W._ Envy you! what! because you are a widower? Eh? Zounds, I believe he is laughing at me (_aside._) _Falk._ I am just informed that every thing is finally arranged between your lady and his lordship respecting Helen's marriage. _Sir W._ Yes, every thing is happily settled. _Falk._ I am sincerely sorry to hear it. _Sir W._ You are! I should have thought Mr. Falkner, that my daughter's happiness was dear to you. _Falk._ It is, and therefore I do not wish to see her married to lord Austencourt. _Sir W._ Why then what the devil is it you mean? _Falk._ To see her married to the man of her heart, with whom I trust to see her as happy--as you are with lady Worret. _Sir W._ Yes, ha! ha! ha! yes! but you are in jest respecting my daughter. _Falk._ No matter! where is Helen? _Sir W._ Safe under lock and key. _Falk._ Under lock and key! _Sir W._ Ay, in that very room. I've locked her up to keep her from that hot-headed young rogue, Charles Austencourt. Should you like to see her? She's grown a fine young woman. _Falk._ With all my heart. _Sir W._ You'll be surprised, I can tell you. _Falk._ I dare say. _Sir W._ We'll pop in upon her when she least expects it. I'll bet my life you'll be astonished at her appearance. _Falk._ Well, I shall be glad to see your daughter; but she must not marry this lord. _Sir W._ No! Who then? _Falk._ The man she loves. _Sir W._ Hey! oh yes! but who do you mean! Charles Austencourt? (_opening the door._) _Enter_ Lady Worret, _suddenly._ _Lady W._ Charles Austencourt! _Falk._ (_aloud, and striking the floor with his stick._) Ay, Charles Austencourt! _Charles_ (_entering._) Here am I. Who calls? Helen _and_ Tiffany _come forward, and_ Tiffany _goes off._ _Sir W._ Fire and fagots! what do I see? _Lady W._ Ah Heavens defend me! what do I behold? _Falk._ Why, is this the surprise you promised me? The astonishment seems general. Pray, sir Willoughby, explain this puppet show! _Lady W._ Ay! pray sir Willoughby explain-- _Sir W._ Curse me if I can. _Helen._ I told you how it would be, papa, and you would not believe me! _Sir W._ So! pray, sir, condescend to inform lady Worret and me, how you introduced yourself into that most extraordinary situation. _Charles._ Sir, I shall make no mystery of it, nor attempt to screen you from her ladyship's just reproaches, by concealing one atom of the truth. The fact is, madam, that sir Willoughby not only in my hearing, gave Miss Helen his unrestricted permission to throw herself into my arms, but actually forced her into the room where I was quietly seated, and positively and deliberately lock'd us in together! _Lady W._ Oh! I shall expire!