TONY: Don't be a fool! If she gives 'em you, take what you can get. I've stolen your jewels out of the bureau. She's found it out, ecod, by the noise. Fly to your spark, and he'll tell you all about it. Vanish! [_Exit_ MISS NEVILLE. Kate has reported Marlow's bashfulness to Hardcastle, who has told another tale. She has since learnt Marlow's blunder, and that he has taken her in her "housewife's dress" for the barmaid. She has resolved to test him in this character. She enters at the same time as Marlow, who is studying his notebook. KATE: Did you call, sir? MARLOW (_not looking up_): No, child. KATE: Perhaps it was the other gentleman? MARLOW: No, no, child, I tell you! (_Looking up_.) That is--yes, I think I did call. I vow, child, you're vastly handsome. KATE: Oh, la, sir, you'll make me ashamed! MARLOW: Suppose I should call for a taste of the nectar of your lips? KATE: Nectar? Nectar? We keep no French wines. (_He tries to kiss her_.) Pray keep your distance. I'm sure you didn't treat Miss Hardcastle so. Are you a favourite among the ladies? MARLOW: Yes, my dear. At the ladies' club up in town they call me their Agreeable Rattle. Do you ever work, child? KATE: Ay, sure. There's not a screen or a quilt in the house but bears witness to that. MARLOW: You must show me your embroidery. [_As he seizes her hand_, HARDCASTLE _enters. Exit_ MARLOW. KATE _persuades her father to give her an hour to clear_ MARLOW'S _character_. ACT IV SCENE.--_As before_. HASTINGS _has passed over the jewels to_ MARLOW'S _care. The unconscious_ MARLOW _has told him that the servant by his order has placed them in charge of the landlady. Enter_ HARDCASTLE, _solus_. HARDCASTLE: My house is turned topsy-turvy. His servants are drunk already. For his father's sake, I'll be calm. (_Enter_ MARLOW.) Mr. Marlow, sir, the conduct of your servants is insufferable. Their manner of drinking is setting a very bad example. MARLOW: I protest, my good friend, that's no fault of mine. They had my positive orders to drink as much as they could. HARDCASTLE: Zounds, I shall go distracted! I'll stand it no longer! I desire that you and your drunken pack shall leave my house directly. MARLOW: Leave your house? I never heard such cursed impudence. Bring me my bill. HARDCASTLE: Nor I, confound me if ever I did! MARLOW: My bill, I say. HARDCASTLE: Young man, young man, from your father's letter I expected a well-bred, modest visitor, not a coxcomb and a bully. But he will be down here presently, and shall hear more of it. [_Exit._ MARLOW: How's this? Surely I have not mistaken the house? Everything looks like an inn. The barmaid, too. (_Enter_ KATE.) A word with you, child. Who are you?