_Eustace._ (_Staggering away._) Her kind protector! ’Tis but too true, then! The old hypocrite! thus to deceive me and dishonour my house! The monster shall instantly quit it, and for ever. Hush! some one approaches! ’tis he: silence, I command. (_He extinguishes the lights._) _Enter_ POLYGLOT, _with his dark lanthorn; Master_ FREDERICK _is concealed under his cloak. He goes directly, but cautiously, to the door_. _Poly._ (_In an under tone._) Open—open quickly—’tis I. I have secured our precious charge. Now, quick; let us away, or we may be interrupted by old Argus. _Enter_ HARRIET. _Eustace._ You are right, for old Argus has you. _Harriet._ O, heavens! I’m lost! (_Robin lights the candles._) _Eustace._ No, madam, you are found. And you! Is it thus you repay the confidence I have reposed in you? Are you the man I have selected as a guide, as a monitor to my son? A female concealed in your apartment! _Charles._ My dear father, I must no longer allow— _Eustace._ Peace! And what is it you are endeavouring to hide there? _Poly._ Nothing—a mere trifle. _Eustace._ I insist upon knowing. (_Draws open his cloak and discovers Master Frederick._) You call this a trifle do you? _Harriet._ (_Running towards him._) My Frederick! my child! _Eustace._ O!—Now what have you to say for yourself? _Poly._ That it _is_ a Frederick—a child I mean,—I confess; but suffer me to explain, and—— _Eustace._ Explanation is needless: your—mere trifle—explains itself. And yet I would hope you are not the monster you appear. Answer me one question: Is the lady your wife? _Poly._ No, no; yet if you would only—— _Eustace._ The unblushing sinner! Then, will you marry her? _Poly._ (_To Charles._) I have done and suffered much to serve you: I can’t do that, you know. _Eustace._ Do you hesitate? _Charles._ Will you but listen to me, sir? _Eustace._ No, I will listen to but one thing only. (_To Poly._) When a man has committed an error, is it not his first duty to do what he can to repair it? _Poly._ Granted. _Eustace._ To restore her respectability to the woman he has betrayed? _Poly._ Granted. _Eustace._ To protect and bestow his name upon his child. _Poly._ Granted. (_To Charles, who is about to interrupt him._) Further concealment is impossible. (_To Eustace._) But suppose his family should refuse—— _Eustace._ Refuse! In such a case, no honest member of it would refuse to sanction the union; if he did, he would share in the guilt of the offender. _Poly._ I am quite of your opinion. _Eustace._ Then why hesitate? _Poly._ The lady is already married; but if you would just have the kindness to repeat to your son all you have said to me—— _Eustace._ My son! _Charles._ Yes, sir; we throw ourselves at your feet, and implore your pardon. This lady is my wife. _Eustace._ How! married! without consulting me! Leave me, ungrateful boy! _Charles._ Will not the choice I have made procure your forgiveness, sir!