SCENE VII.

_MRS. CHARGELY'S Garden.--At the back of stage a high wall; to the R. 3 E. part of the house, with door and practicable window.--Dark._

_Enter BOLT, from back, R._

BOLT. Egad, I've succeeded in concealing myself among the statues and the shrubs, &c. I wish that wall was not so devilish high, and that gate not quite so firmly fastened. I wonder where Bobby is.

MIZ. (_Still in cloak and bonnet, looking out of window, R. 3 E._) Charley, is that you?

BOLT. Yes; how snug you look, up there!

MIZ. How do you like your day's pleasure?

BOLT. Amazingly! It is a spicy sort of pleasure--keeps one awake. I told you we should have something to laugh at.

MIZ. Yes, the wrong side of our mouths. If ever I do go out with you again!

_Enter CUTAWAY, with ladder, L. U. E. BOLT steps back._

CUT. Fortune favours the bold. This is an unexpected prize--found it in the knife room--and the dear creature at yonder window, she shall descend: then we'll over the wall.--By-the-by, I wonder what has become of that inefficient representation of myself.--Harriet!

MIZ. Hilloa! you there!

CUT. There she is, beautiful as ever.

BOLT. (_Aside._) True,--all cats are alike in the dark.

CUT. Come to the arms of your ever-faithful Cutaway.

MIZ. You make me blush.

CUT. I have a ladder, dearest; will you descend it?

MIZ. I believe you, I will;--Come, look alive!--put it up!

CUT. Her every word inspires confidence.

BOLT. (_Aside._) An unconscious auxiliary.

CUTAWAY. (_Puts ladder against window, R. 3 E._) Descend, dearest, descend; and take care of the water-butt;--do not, star as you are, set in the ocean. (_MIZZLE descends._)--Now let's away!

MIZ. Stay, my bundle! oh, my bundle!

CUT. What bundle, sweetest?

MIZ. A bundle I have left; so do you bundle up the ladder and get it.

CUT. Your desires are commands, lovely one.--She is hoarse;--caught cold, poor thing. (_Ascends ladder and goes in at window._)

BOLT. I say, Bob, what did you send him in there for?

MIZ. Why the cursed officers are breaking open the door. I heard them; so I gave him for a sop--Ha! ha! ha!

BOLT. Ha! ha! ha! poor devil! Now away with the ladder to the garden wall. (_MIZZLE plants ladder against wall, L._) Now we'll ascend, and drop on the other side.

CUT. (_At window, R._) Harriet! Harriet, my love! I can find no bundle.

MIZ. Can't you? then here is one for you. (_Takes off cloak and bonnet--wraps bonnet in cloak, and throws them in window._)

CUT. A man! duped--cheated!

BOLT. Up the ladder, Bobby, my boy!

MIZ. Yes, we are off!--The devil take the hindmost--Good by, my own true love.

CUT. (_Feeling about._) The ladder, where is the ladder?

(_A crash is heard in the house, as of a door breaking.--Officers appear at window.--Exeunt over wall.--The ladies scream.--Scene closes_)