_Poly._ Is this a dream! Let me collect my scattered senses. Surely it cannot be? Married! My pupil who had never, as I thought, even so much as——O Lord! absolutely married! And I, Ignatius Polyglot, who have led the life of a hermit, to be suspected! I must not think; I’ll retire to rest. Heaven knows I have need of it. (_Approaches the door, and hastily retires._) Bless us and save us! I forgot, she is there! And how am I to get her away? Hark! They are locking the outer gate. There is now no hope. HARRIET _opens the door gently, and enters_. _Harriet._ At length you are alone. Tell me what is now to be done? Counsel me—advise me. _Poly._ Yes, I—how shall I advise you? Advise me what I had best—at any rate you must not remain here. _Harriet._ Where would you have me go? _Poly._ Wherever you please, my good young lady; but it is night, you know—these are my apartments, and after the suspicions that have been excited against me, I—yet how can I get you away? They have closed the doors and—but what ails you? _Harriet._ Reach me a chair. My agitation for the last hour has so——I am fainting. _Poly._ Don’t think of such a thing—I know not how to help you—’tis not at all in my way. (_He leads her to a chair; her bonnet falls off._) This was wanting to complete the pleasures of the evening. My dear lady—Miss—My kind madam, (_Taps her hand._) If any one should come! She recovers. Be composed—It occurs to me that I have a key of the little wicket that leads from the garden to the meadow; that way we may reach the village. _Harriet._ Conduct me where you will. But I must take my dear Frederick with me. _Poly._ Frederick! what’s Frederick? _Harriet._ Our darling boy. _Poly._ (_Stammering._) And have you a darling boy? _Harriet._ He is in the room I have occupied at the end of the garden. _Poly._ O Charles! Charles! In love—married—a little boy! Have I any thing more to learn? tell me at once.—So then, I have been tutor to a father of a family! _Harriet._ I can easily bring him away. (_Going._) _Poly._ No; you might be observed. There is but one thing to be done—I foresee my fate—Since I must be the scape-goat, I’ll fetch him for you. _Harriet._ My kind friend! _Poly._ I’ll not be gone an instant. (_Noise of footsteps._) Ha! here comes Robin. Quick—retire. (_She goes towards the room._) No, not there. He’ll want to go into that room with my supper. There—there. (_He_ _forces her into the room on the opposite side—a lock heard._) _Enter_ ROBIN _and_ MOLLY. _Robin._ I have brought your supper, sir. _Poly._ Leave it, leave it. And you, Mrs. Molly, what do you want here? (_Robin takes the tray into the room._) _Molly._ (_Slyly_) I came to ask whether I should clear away the broken glass yonder. Why, now, if there isn’t some conjuration there? You told Master Eustace the key was inside the door, and see if it hasn’t opened of itself. (_Aside._) Then I was right after all.