MARIAN You are kind, Maria. My sad story I have troubled you with. I have some jewels here, which I unintentionally brought away. I have only to beg, that you will take the trouble to restore them to my father; and, without disclosing my present situation, to tell him, that my next step--with or without the concurrence of Mr. Davenport--shall be to throw myself at his feet, and beg to be forgiven. I dare not see him till you have explored the way for me. I am convinced I was tricked into this elopement. MISS FLYN Your commands shall be obeyed implicitly. MARIAN You are good (_agitated_). MISS FLYN Moderate your apprehensions, my sweet friend. I too have known my sorrows--(_smiling_).--You have heard of the ridiculous affair. MARIAN Between Mr. Pendulous and you? Davenport informed me of it, and we both took the liberty of blaming the over-niceness of your scruples. MISS FLYN You mistake. The refinement is entirely on the part of my lover. He thinks me not nice enough. I am obliged to feign a little reluctance, that he may not take quite a distaste to me. Will you believe it, that he turns my very constancy into a reproach, and declares, that a woman must be devoid of all delicacy, that, after a thing of that sort, could endure the sight of her husband in---- MARIAN In what? MISS FLYN The sight of a man at all in---- MARIAN I comprehend you not. MISS FLYN In--in a--_(whispers)_--night cap, my dear; and now the mischief is out. MARIAN Is there no way to cure him? MISS FLYN None, unless I were to try the experiment, by placing myself in the hands of justice for a little while, how far an equality in misfortune might breed a sympathy in sentiment. Our reputations would be both upon a level, then, you know. What think you of a little innocent shop-lifting, in sport? MARIAN And by that contrivance to be taken before a magistrate? the project sounds oddly. MISS FLYN And yet I am more than half persuaded it is feasible. _Enter Betty._ BETTY Mr. Davenport is below, ma'am, and desires to speak with you. MARIAN You will excuse me--_(going--turning back.)_--You will remember the casket? _[Exit.]_ MISS FLYN Depend on me. BETTY And a strange man desires to see you, ma'am. I do not half like his looks. MISS FLYN Shew him in. _(Exit Betty, and returns--with a Police Officer. Betty goes out.)_ OFFICER Your servant, ma'am. Your name is---- MISS FLYN Flyn, sir. Your business with me? OFFICER _(Alternately surveying the lady and his paper of instructions.)_ Marian Flint. MISS FLYN Maria Flyn. OFFICER Aye, aye, Flyn or Flint. 'Tis all one. Some write plain Mary, and some put ann after it. I come about a casket. MISS FLYN I guess the whole business. He takes me for my friend. Something may come out of this. I will humour him. OFFICER _(Aside)_--Answers the description to a tittle. "Soft, grey eyes, pale complexion,"----